Blogging Heros
Anyone who wants to build their own business from the ground up knows that there will be many risks and chances for failure. Some industries are harsher to newcomers than others and this is especially true of the restaurant industry. However, this doesn’t mean opening a restaurant isn’t a worthwhile venture. By thoroughly planning from the start, you can open a successful restaurant business that will last through the years.
Outline Your Budget and Funds
Opening a restaurant of any size costs a lot of money so you will need a plan for securing funds. Bring your idea to potential investors and pitch your restaurant so they can decide if it’s something they’d be interested in. When you have funding, you must allocate your budget sensibly across various areas within the business, such as staffing, equipment, leases, and marketing. Leave room for flexibility but avoid falling into the trap of underestimating how much something will cost. Poor financial management is how many new restaurants meet their end.
Decide Your Concept
The overall concept of your restaurant needs to be its selling point. Think about what will make your restaurant unique compared to those in the surrounding area as well as other competitors in general. This might involve finding a specific theme that you believe will set you apart and attract your target audience. For inspiration, take a look at other restaurants that you admire for their concepts and think about how to implement similar ideas into your own business without directly copying.
Find a Commercial Space
Sometimes finding a location comes before choosing a concept, and sometimes having a location inspires a concept. If you already know what you want your restaurant to be like, you will need to search for premises that help to enhance this concept. If, however, you are able to be more flexible, find a location with potential and then use it to inspire your concept. For example, if you spot premises in an ex-industrial building, this could help guide your decisions for your restaurant’s theme.
Design the Interiors
After you have secured your lease on the premises you’ve chosen, you will need to start designing your restaurant’s interiors. Again, take inspiration from existing features in the building and other businesses whose aesthetics you admire. The most important considerations should be:
- How your customers and staff are expected to move around the space;
- Where your customers will sit;
- How comfortable and practical the furniture is;
- Finer details such as silverware, dishes, glasses, and napkins;
- Various lighting fixtures to illuminate different parts of the space and create ambiance;
- Background décor, including walls, ceilings, flooring, plants, ornaments, and unique features.
Work Out Your Menu
What you choose to put on your menu will relate closely to the concept of your restaurant. Often the location or theme will dictate the cuisine on offer. If you plan on being a part of the kitchen, menu items will also be influenced by what you enjoy cooking and serving. Eventually, once your restaurant is up and running, you may need to adjust your menu to suit the preferences of your customers. In the beginning, however, there is more room to be experimental. You will soon learn which menu items are popular and which should be cut out or replaced.
Stock Up on Ingredients
Once you have figured out what items will be included on your menu, it is time to break down the ingredients and find suppliers for everything on your list. Try to anticipate which ingredients you will need most, which need to be fresh, and which can be bought ahead of time. Retailers such as ofi spices cater to restaurants and other businesses that require ingredients in bulk quantities. Make sure that your kitchen has ample storage space for everything you need. It’s important that ingredients are stored to protect them from pests, light, and incorrect temperatures to avoid waste.
Create a Website
Any contemporary business needs an online presence. Contact a web designer to help you set up a website that matches your concept. The most important aspect of any restaurant site is that information should be clear and the pages should be easy to navigate.
Install Equipment
Every restaurant needs a reliable kitchen. If your premises doesn’t have a space already set up for the menu you intend to serve, you will need to source the right equipment for the job. You can either purchase or rent appliances depending on your needs. You can also save money by looking for secondhand appliances used by other businesses in the past. Install your equipment and set up your kitchen so it is safe, hygienic, and easy to work in.
Recruit Your Workforce
Take your time to find the right employees for your restaurant. Only hire people who will embrace the message behind your business and share your vision for the future. Offer training and other incentives to demonstrate that you care about retaining staff and helping them build meaningful careers with you.
Host Your Opening(s)
If you want to ensure that your restaurant’s grand opening goes smoothly, consider rehearsing with a soft opening. This is an event that allows you to gently break the seal and get the ball rolling on your new business. Invite a few guests so that you can test-run your menu items and make any last-minute changes. You may find that it takes the pressure off to only invite friends and relatives of you and your employees to the soft opening. Once you have made the corrections brought to light here, now is the time to throw open your doors to the public for your grand opening.
Every detail you cover as you plan your restaurant business takes you one step closer to achieving long-lasting success in the industry. A thorough plan that combines a strong concept with practical decisions is the way to give your restaurant as many chances as possible to survive this harsh industry. Use the advice in this guide to help you plan your restaurant and develop a resilient strategy for the best results.
