10 Things To Consider When Starting Your Restaurant Business
Starting a restaurant business can be a daunting task, but we’ve gathered advice from industry professionals to help you navigate the process. From considering a franchise opportunity to deciding on serving alcohol, here are the top 10 considerations shared by marketing managers, attorneys, and CEOs before embarking on your restaurant venture.
- Consider Franchise Opportunities
- Research Permits and Insurance
- Assess Financial Resources
- Develop a Unique Concept and Menu
- Evaluate Audience Purchasing Power
- Create a Staffing Strategy
- Choose the Right Location
- Look into Online Ordering Platforms
- Conduct Thorough Market Research
- Decide on Serving Alcohol
Consider Franchise Opportunities
The world is full of opportunities for entrepreneurs to pursue in the food service industry, but it’s a tough business. Success requires finding an opportunity that is right for the local market and right for the individual entrepreneur. In the early stages, consider whether you should generate your own concept or purchase a franchise opportunity.
Franchised restaurants are on every corner. This is for good reason. The franchise model relies on the relative ease of replication. Instead of starting from scratch, franchisees have systems and processes to follow from build-out to operation.
In a franchise model, individual franchisees benefit from the growth and success of the franchise system. Of course, that is not to say that franchised restaurants are without risk. However, it is worth considering. The right franchised business can help mitigate risk and maximize potential returns.
Derek Colvin
Attorney, Waldrop & Colvin
Research Permits and Insurance
Before starting a restaurant business, one of the most important things to consider is permits and insurance. Obtaining the necessary permits, such as health and safety permits, liquor licenses, and zoning permits, can be a time-consuming and expensive process, but it’s essential to ensure that your restaurant is operating legally and in compliance with local regulations.
Insurance is also a critical aspect of running a restaurant business. It can protect you from unexpected accidents or incidents that may occur on your property, such as fire or theft. Insurance can cover the costs of legal fees and medical bills in case of customer or employee injuries.
While permits and insurance can be costly, they are essential investments that can ultimately save you from significant financial loss in the long run.
Natalia Brzezinska
Marketing and Outreach Manager, ePassportPhoto
Assess Financial Resources
One important thing to consider before starting a restaurant business is whether or not you have the financial resources necessary to invest in the venture.
Starting a restaurant requires significant capital upfront as well as ongoing costs for rent, employees, equipment, permits and licenses, marketing and advertising, food inventory, and other expenses. It’s essential to have enough money saved up to cover these costs and a cushion for unexpected expenses.
Jeff Pollak
Partner, RadioActive Media Inc.
Develop a Unique Concept and Menu
Before starting a restaurant business, it’s crucial to define your concept, ambiance, and menu. This involves understanding your target market, identifying your unique selling points, and creating a memorable dining experience.
Develop a concept that aligns with your vision and target audience, whether it’s a casual eatery, fine dining establishment, or specialized cuisine. Design an ambiance that complements your concept and appeals to your desired clientele.
Additionally, craft a menu that showcases enticing dishes, taking into account culinary trends, local preferences, and dietary restrictions. Carefully planning and refining your concept and menu sets the foundation for a successful and distinctive restaurant.
Roy Lau
Co-founder, 28 Mortgage
Evaluate Audience Purchasing Power
You should consider the purchasing power of your intended audience before starting a restaurant in that location. Their purchasing power, as well as their frequency to eat out, will determine your menu, your pricing strategy, the size of your workforce, and the supply partners you choose.
Best practice is to extensively research this aspect when identifying your buyer personas as part of your SWOT analysis and including the findings in your business plan.
Dr. Willy Portier
Co-founder, Concerty
Create a Staffing Strategy
Before starting a restaurant business, one crucial thing to consider is the development of a comprehensive staffing strategy. The success of a restaurant heavily depends on the people who run it daily—the chefs who create the dishes, the servers who interact directly with the customers, and the managers who ensure operations run smoothly.
The hospitality industry is notorious for high turnover rates, which can lead to inconsistency in service and added costs because of the need for constant recruitment and training. To counter this, it’s vital to develop a staffing strategy that not only focuses on hiring skilled and reliable individuals but also on retaining them.
This can involve creating a positive work environment, offering competitive wages and benefits, providing opportunities for professional growth, and building a culture of respect and recognition.
Will Gill
Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill
Choose the Right Location
Choosing the right location for your restaurant is critical to its success. It should be convenient and accessible for customers, and have adequate space to accommodate seating, kitchen equipment, storage, restrooms, etc.
Additionally, research what other restaurants are in the area and consider differentiating yourself from them by offering something unique that will help you stand out from the competition.
Justin Carpenter
Owner, Modern Maids
Look into Online Ordering Platforms
When entering the restaurant business, you must consider how people can order for pick-up, takeout, and delivery. Using platforms for online ordering is a huge part of the business these days, and many restaurants have opened up a whole new opportunity for themselves since adapting this method of finding business.
If you are starting a restaurant, how will you do this? What platform works best for you? Should you be on multiple platforms and streamline it through one? How will you make it known that customers can order via these platforms?
In today’s world, since the pandemic, restaurants have to navigate this channel and do it well. It’s definitely something to consider.
Rahul Jha
Managing Director and CEO, Legal Entity Identifier
Conduct Thorough Market Research
One thing to consider before starting a restaurant business is conducting thorough market research. It is crucial to understand the demand, competition, and target audience for your restaurant concept. This research will provide valuable insights into the local food industry, identify potential gaps in the market, and help you tailor your offerings to meet customer preferences.
By understanding the competitive landscape, you can develop strategies to differentiate your restaurant and attract customers. Additionally, identifying your target audience will allow you to create effective marketing campaigns and provide the best dining experience for your customers. Market research is an essential step to ensure the viability and success of your restaurant business.
Jason Cheung
Operations Manager, Credit KO
Decide on Serving Alcohol
Before starting a restaurant business, consider whether your restaurant will serve alcohol. The matter in question is essential for a few reasons.
Let’s focus on licensing and legal issues first. Serving alcoholic beverages requires obtaining specific licenses and permits from local authorities. Failing to follow the legal requirements can get you into trouble—penalties, fines, or even restaurant closure.
Another thing to consider is your target market’s preferences and expectations. Many customers enjoy having alcoholic beverages with their meals, and not offering this option may limit your potential customer base. Understanding their needs will help you tailor the restaurant’s offer accurately.
Serving alcohol also comes with its challenges. These include ensuring responsible service, managing inventory and storage, and adhering to regulations about age restrictions and intoxicated customers. You should carefully analyze the pros and cons to make an informed decision.
Agata Szczepanek
Community Manager, MyPerfectResume
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