There are a million things to do before throwing open the doors of your own restaurant, and it’s important not to let anything slip through the cracks. Here are just a few tips for starting, building, advertising and succeeding with a new restaurant.
1. Have Plenty of Capital
Most businesses take awhile before they start earning a profit, so you should have at least a year’s worth of capital saved up before you officially open for business. This will ensure that you always have the money you need for things like food and furniture even if your client base takes awhile to build.
2. Choose Your Staff Carefully
This is especially important when hiring people like waiters and bartenders. Their customer service skills can make or break the first impressions that people have of your establishment, so you’ll want them to be well-spoken and well-trained. If they know how to “upsell” things in your restaurant, that’s even better.
3. Get Your Liquor License
Liquor licenses can take weeks to be approved, so if your restaurant will serve alcoholic drinks in any capacity, make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to get licensed. You don’t want an alcohol license Dallas TX to be the only thing holding up your grand opening.
4. Plan Your Menu
When do you get your daily shipment of seafood? How long will your ingredients stay fresh in the pantry? What kind of daily deals and specials can you offer to those with an adventurous palette? Planning a menu takes work, so don’t leave it until the last minute. This is especially true if your chefs will need to be trained in certain techniques.
5. Keep It Spotless
It doesn’t matter if your food tastes better than any other restaurant in the world. If your floors are dirty and your tables are sticky, no one will want to visit your establishment. Make sure that your employees are rigorously trained in cleaning and sanitizing techniques, and establish strict penalties for anyone who slacks off when it comes to hygiene.
Whether you’re opening a sophisticated French bistro or a fun, family-friendly Italian place, let these tips help you on your journey to restaurant ownership. It isn’t a career path for everyone, but if you plan things carefully and are willing to work hard, it’s a dream that can work for you.
