Important ​​Things You Need to Consider When Opening a Restaurant

Are you ready to move from occasional entertainer to restaurateur?

For those who enjoy cooking and sharing their inventions with friends and family, it is no secret that opening a restaurant is the next best step. 

Opening a restaurant is a dream for many, and with hard work and commitment, it can easily become a reality. When opening a restaurant, you need to consider several key factors, including legal requirements, startup and ongoing costs, equipment, employee hiring, and marketing.

Here are some top things you need to consider as you embark on your new journey and make your dream a reality. 

Theme 

First things first, what is the concept of your restaurant going to be? Most individuals who start their restaurant usually have this idea already set in stone, as it can be inspired by culture or the type of cuisine they love to make.

Once you have your general concept, it is essential to go above and beyond, considering how your restaurant will stand out from the crowd. What makes you and your cuisine special, what sets you apart from your competitors, what kind of experience do you want your customers to have when they visit your restaurant?

The answers to these questions will dictate the location, your restaurant’s style, service, and marketing approach. 

Competitor research

It is essential to research your competitors from the outset. Visit their restaurant, check their reviews, even speak to their customers. This will give you a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, what your ideal customers like and dislike, and where there are potential gaps in the market. 

How can you better serve your customers? How can you simplify things?

Consider the legal requirements

The legal requirements will differ by country and state, so you need to ensure you familiarise yourself with them. This includes all the necessary permits, permissions, and licenses to operate the premises as a business, including the ability to add/remove structures, cook and serve food and alcohol, obtain music licenses, meet health and safety requirements, and comply with food standards, among others. Again, the more you know before you start, the less likely you are to meet problems and fines later. 

Hiring Staff

Another important consideration when opening a restaurant is to staff it appropriately. You will need to fill various roles when opening a restaurant. You want to ensure that the people working for you are friendly, professional, and understand the business and hospitality world. Once you have your team in place, you can learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of rotating schedules to see if it’s the right solution for you.

Costs 

Consider the costs and budgets you will need to start and run the restaurant for the first few years. You will not be able to get an exact figure, but you can make some estimates to keep updated along the way. You will need to consider the costs of the premises, licenses and permits, restaurant furniture and decor, employees, marketing, suppliers, kitchen equipment, legal advice, and more.  If you need help finding restaurant equipment, consider checking out The Restaurant Warehouse, which offers a vast range of appliances to choose from, along with finance options available.

Marketing 

There is no point in opening a restaurant if you don’t have people to serve. Once you have the important steps above in place, you’ll need to consider how to market your new business and attract paying customers. Marketing always starts with a customer persona. Identify your ideal client and work your way forward from there. This persona will provide you with a guide on what they like and dislike so that you can adapt your messaging accordingly. You may consider hiring a marketing expert to help put your business on different platforms and get your brand known in the local area. 

When opening a restaurant, several key factors must be considered. Remember, this is a journey and will take time, patience, and hard work.