Photo by Opening your own restaurant can take a lot of time, patience, and energy. You may be a chef with a lot of experience in the kitchen, or you may have a unique idea that has never been done before. Either way, you should read this article for advice on how to start a brand new restaurant. If you have never started a business before, you want to make sure you have done proper research so that you are prepared. This is not the end-all list of what it takes to be a restaurant owner, but it is a good start.
Consider Your Equipment Needs
Before you can really decide what type of equipment you will need to make your restaurant successful, you must first know what your theme is going to be. Are you going to go all-natural and organic? Do you have hopes of being a farm-to-table establishment? You must decide what your service style will be so that you ensure that you are able to hold and prepare your food adequately.
One of the more expensive parts of opening a restaurant is purchasing the restaurant equipment. Refrigerators can put a dent in your wallet and so can ovens and stoves. Do your research to make sure you are getting the best price and it would also be wise to purchase a good warranty.
Find the Right Space
While you are trying to decide where would be the best location for your restaurant, you must think about who your target customer is. If you desire to open a sports bar where all of your buddies can come hang out, should you be near a sports arena? Or downtown where people can stop by after work? If you have a mom-and-pop type restaurant in mind, you may want to be located in your neighborhood or local churches.
You will need a downpayment and probably the first and last month’s rent in order to reserve a lease on your desired space. The security deposit could cost you up to six months worth of rent. Be sure to save up and take a realistic look at your finances before signing a lease. You should consider talking to a financial advisor if you want to get sound advice on what your budget should be. You do not want to go into this type of decision blind.
Set Up Decor and Maintenance
You will soon need to plan out the vibe that you want your restaurant to feel like. Make sure that the art on the walls matches the theme of the food and the name. You can shop art from commercial businesses, or take a thrifty approach and go to consignment shops and estate sales. If you are a handyman, you could even build some of your own furniture and signage.
You will also want to arrange regularly scheduled upkeep of your property’s landscaping, parking lot, and pest control. Read contracts thoroughly before committing to anything and compare companies to make sure you are getting a good deal. Do not forget about daily cleaning, weekly deep cleanings, and window washing. You may want to research companies by talking to local business owners and asking who they do business with.
Establish Reliable Suppliers
Once you have created a menu, and know the ingredients you will need on a regular basis, it is time to find quality food suppliers. You can discuss with them the inventory that you need to keep and what it will cost for you to purchase in bulk. You can choose a day of the week that is best for you to receive your deliveries.
You will also need to find the best place for you to obtain your dishes, drinkware, and silverware. Do not forget linens, paper towels for restrooms, soap, and toilet paper. Set up a consistent order and delivery schedule that will meet your needs. Make sure that you keep a calendar of automatic ordering and delivering for documentation purposes.