How to open a restaurant

The process of starting a restaurant is quite time-consuming. But, if you have a strong desire to work in the foodservice business and are willing to put in the necessary time and effort, there is no reason why your restaurant will not be a success. In this post, we'll go over the advantages and disadvantages of starting a restaurant, as well as provide you with a complete list of procedures that will assist you in turning your aspirations of owning a culinary company into a reality.

The Advantages To Starting A Restaurant

Everyone is aware that starting a restaurant may be a dangerous endeavor. Even if you follow all of the best practices, there is still a possibility that your sales will be insufficient to keep the business running. However, if every person who dreamed of starting a restaurant solely considered the dangers, there would not be more than 1 million restaurants in the United States right now, according to the National Restaurant Association (1). For the time being, let us set the dangers aside and consider some of the advantages of starting a restaurant.

1. There is a tremendous need for restaurants

The restaurant business has long been a cornerstone of the United States economy, and the future of this sector appears to be bright. Busy customers have less time to prepare meals for themselves and are opting to eat out or pick up something quick and convenient to bring home instead. The demand for eateries remained reasonably high even throughout the outbreak of the flu epidemic.

2. Opening a restaurant might be a cost-effective method to break into the business sector

When compared to other companies, the initial cost of starting a restaurant varies, but it is possible to launch a restaurant for a relatively low cost when compared to other businesses if you start small.

3. Owning a restaurant gives you the freedom to be your own boss

The ability to run a successful small business is a cornerstone of the American ideal. One of the more conventional methods to get control over your life is by becoming your own employer and establishing financial independence through the operation of a restaurant.

When starting a restaurant, how much money do you need to invest?

The fact that there are so many expenditures to consider when starting a restaurant makes answering the question, "How much does it cost to open a restaurant?" exceedingly difficult. Here are some figures derived from a poll that may be useful in estimating the costs of starting a new business.

The average median overall cost of launching a restaurant is $375,000 on average.

The median overall starting cost per square foot is $113 on average.

The median overall starting cost per seat is $3,586 on average.

What kind of money can you expect to make if you open a restaurant?

The amount of money you will make as a restaurant owner is dependent on your location. It might range anywhere from $31,000 to $155,000 per year. It's a good rule of thumb to remember when attempting to figure out how much you should pay yourself as a restaurant owner: the owner often takes less than 50% of the profit as a wage. The remainder of the earnings will be reinvested back into the restaurant to cover operating expenditures such as labor, rent, and insurance.

What Are the Different Types of Restaurants You Could Open?

When it comes to deciding what sort of restaurant to establish, the world is your oyster, and there are a plethora of various restaurant types from which to select. To get you started, these are the primary sorts of restaurants you might want to explore.

A fine dining restaurant is one that offers multicourse meals with "white tablecloth service" and an expensive dining experience to its customers. You will have to invest a lot in every aspect of this operation, starting from kitchen equipment and restaurant furniture to decoration items and bathroom towels.

Casual dining is often characterized by a seated meal experience at a modest cost in a relaxed setting.

Food served in quick service restaurants is often considered to be a healthier option than fast food. It features counter service and is a more inexpensive eating option than both casual and fine dining establishments, respectively.

When it comes to informal eating, a family-style restaurant is identical to that concept with the exception of the fact that the food is brought in large portions and shared around the table. As the name implies, this type of restaurant is a popular choice for large groups of people, particularly families with young children.

The term "cafe" refers to a small dining and drinking establishment that specializes in coffee and small meals.

Fast Food - Affordability, convenience, and speed are the primary concerns of fast food establishments. The majority of the time, if you wish to start a fast-food business, you will have the opportunity to purchase a franchise.

This is a more modern method to establishing a food company. Food Truck, Cart, or Stand — When you're just getting started, this might be a fantastic alternative. Food trucks, carts, and stands are less expensive to set up than a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant, and they are an excellent opportunity to test the waters of the foodservice business to see whether it is a suitable fit for you.

How to Start a Restaurant in 10 Easy Steps

1. Decide on a concept and a brand

When it comes to starting a restaurant, the first thing you'll need to do is come up with an idea. You get to use your creativity to its fullest extent throughout this phase of the process. Always make an effort to ensure that your concept delivers something distinctive that will make your business interesting to clients and help you stand out from the competition.

It is necessary to consider the following factors while selecting a design concept:

Type of restaurant: We've discussed some of the many sorts of restaurants above, but there are many more to pick from.

Decor and ambiance: How do you see your restaurant's appearance and atmosphere? What type of environment do you want to create to entice your consumers to return again and again?

Food: When deciding on the type of cuisine you want to serve at your restaurant, strive to be as creative as possible without going overboard and making things difficult for yourself and your customers. Nobody likes to have to make a decision from a menu that contains 50 distinct options.

Following the development of your concept, you will be able to create branding around it and come up with a name for your company that will immediately identify you to customers. You want your clients to have a pleasant and memorable eating experience, but you don't necessarily want them to be startled by anything. It doesn't matter whether your cuisine is the greatest in the world; if your client is made to believe they are visiting a family-type restaurant, but what they receive is more akin to fine dining at a high price point, they will not have a positive experience. This is why having a clear concept and brand is so vital; it informs your customers of what they may anticipate, ensuring that they are not disappointed.

2. Create a business strategy

Writing a business plan for your restaurant can provide you with a structure that you can use to guide you through the process of bringing your venture to reality. Essentially, a business plan serves the same purpose as an instruction manual, providing guidance on every choice related to your restaurant, from purchasing equipment to recruiting employees. When it comes to drafting a business plan for new business owners, we've put up a thorough guide to help you get started in the right direction.

3. Obtain financial assistance

You could be fortunate enough to already have the funds necessary to start a restaurant, but the fact is that the vast majority of new company owners will need to seek out financing in order to get their venture off the ground in the first place. As part of your business strategy, you would have anticipated how much money you would require to get your restaurant up and running. The next stage is to look at alternative financial opportunities from outside organizations. You might be able to choose from one of the following options:

Typical commercial loans are available through financial institutions and can be secured from a bank. If you want the bank to approve your application for a commercial loan, you'll need to present them with a strong business plan. You'll also need a strong credit history as well as some form of collateral.

Line of credit for business costs - This is similar to a credit card in that it provides an escrow of funds to be used for company expenses, but it only accrues interest when funds are used.

Small Business Loan - You have the option of taking out a small business loan from a bank, but many business owners prefer to obtain their loan via the Small Business Administration (SBA) (Small Business Association). The Small Company Administration's standards are in place to safeguard both lenders and small business owners.

Those that are interested in investing – In the case of a very compelling restaurant concept, you may be able to attract investors to the project. Investors will assist you with the start-up expenditures of your business in exchange for a portion of the company. Friends and family members, as well as strangers, who are prepared to put their money into your firm, are examples of investors.

4. Select a good place for your business

The location of a restaurant is extremely important to its overall success. The most important item to consider is the amount of foot traffic and visibility. The ideal position is one where people often walk by and can be easily seen from the street; however, this may not always be the case. Social media and meal delivery applications such as UberEats have assisted in putting less physically accessible eateries on the map (literally), but having a location in a convenient area where people can see and reach it will always be an advantage. Other factors to consider when selecting a site for your restaurant are the cost, the existing infrastructure, and the demographics of your target audience.

5. Obtain all necessary licenses and permissions

The licenses and permissions necessary to start a restaurant will differ based on the location in which you choose to do business. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a useful resource for learning about the permissions and licenses required to run a restaurant in each state or city, as well as how to get them.

The following are the six licenses you'll need to open a restaurant:

Obtaining a business license

License for the food service industry

Permit to work as a food handler

Obtaining a liquor license

Permission to Display Employee Identification Number (EIN)

6. Open a business bank account

It is critical to maintain a clear separation between your business and personal money. This is something that not all new business owners are aware of, but it has the ability to make or ruin a company's future. Digital banking apps are ideal if you want to manage your funds on the move while running a thriving restaurant business.

7. Hire the members of your dream team

The quality of a restaurant is only as excellent as the people that work there. If you want your restaurant to flourish, you must surround yourself with a staff that shares your vision and is invested in its success. Because your staff will be tiny at first, don't rush through the hiring process. Take your time to choose personnel who are not only eager to put in the effort but who are also likely to remain with the company for the long haul. A high turnover of employees will cause difficulties for your company.

8. Create a Menu

Your restaurant's menu is the focal point of the establishment. It should be able to effectively communicate your concept while also serving as a marketing tool to get consumers into your establishment. When opening a new restaurant, it's typically a good idea to keep the menu as simple as possible. When developing your menu, conduct market research and take your target audience into consideration. It is desirable nowadays to have at least one vegetarian choice as well as a gluten-free option available, but this will depend on where you are located and the expectations of the demographic in that location.

9. Purchase or lease machinery and equipment

From cooking utensils to tables and chairs for your guests, the equipment for your restaurant will consist of a wide range of items. This may be a significant financial commitment, and it may seem a bit daunting at first. It's important to remember that none of this equipment has to be brand new. Large items of equipment for your restaurant, such as ovens, freezers, and furnishings, may frequently be purchased at a reasonable price second-hand and will most likely perform just as well as new equipment. Some restaurant equipment may be available for lease rather than purchase, depending on your needs. Buying a coffee machine, for example, may cost thousands of dollars, and it is frequently more cost-effective to lease them and make monthly payments than purchase them all together.

10. Get the word out about it

Before you even think about opening your doors, you'll want to start building anticipation for your establishment. As a result, when you are ready to open, you will have clients to service right away, and you will be able to instantly begin earning money. When it comes to spreading the word about your company, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on marketing campaigns. There are strategies to advertise your company even if you have a limited advertising budget. Starting with the creation of social media profiles for your business is a fantastic place to start. Nowadays, having a Facebook profile for your restaurant where you can publish basic information about your establishment is normal practice. Instagram is also a fantastic way to showcase appetizing photos of your cuisine as well as visually attractive images of your decor to help sell your idea to prospective customers. It is possible that you will wish to hold a soft opening before you formally launch your business. This is the point at which friends and family are welcomed to the restaurant to sample your cuisine and get a feel for the atmosphere. Provide a wonderful time for your friends and family, and they'll come back for more, bringing their friends and family with them. Keep in mind to snap plenty of photographs during the soft opening to publish on your social media platforms and encourage people to visit your establishment.

Conclusion

Starting a restaurant is a complicated process that needs attention and commitment, and having doubts about your decision to embark on such a difficult path is entirely natural. A harsh fact is that many restaurants fail in their first year of operation, usually as a result of a lack of preparation. This article will provide you with all you need to know about starting a restaurant business! Success is more likely to occur if you can simplify the approach as much as possible.