| Running your own restaurant can be a very | | | | equipment and supplies such as tables, chairs, kitchen |
| rewarding experience. In order to make your | | | | equipment such as dishwasher, freezers, ovens,etc. |
| restaurant opening a success, you have to be aware | | | | You will also have to furnish the restaurant with |
| of all of the things that must be done before the | | | | items that reflect the restaurant's theme. Consider |
| day of your opening. Below are a number of tips on | | | | such items as decorations, paint, carpet, fixtures, wall |
| how to open a restaurant that should help make the | | | | decor,etc. It is helpful if you can find one or two |
| experience easier and much less stressful. | | | | restaurant suppliers to provide you will all of the |
| 1. Restaurant Features: You will have to do your | | | | required supplies. |
| research to find a suitable location. You have to | | | | 4. Restaurant Permits: Operating a restaurant requires |
| check out your competition and the type of people | | | | obtaining a number of permits. Check with your local |
| that frequent area. Once you have chosen your site, | | | | government agencies to find out what permits are |
| you have to decide what type of restaurant you will | | | | needed, however, generally one will require a zoning |
| operate. For instance, will it be a fine dining | | | | permit, building permit, permit to operate a food |
| restaurant, fast food restaurant, or specialty | | | | establishment, permit to sell alcohol, and more. You |
| restaurant such as a Chinese or Italian. It is beneficial | | | | can be fined or shut down if you don't have all of |
| to have a restaurant that stands out from your | | | | the permits. |
| competitors. It should offer something unique that will | | | | 5. Restaurant Menu: The restaurant menu is a key |
| attract diners. You also have to consider where | | | | component of attracting and creating loyal customers. |
| customers will be seated that is both comfortable | | | | The dishes should reflect the theme of the |
| and has a pleasant view. The restaurant itself should | | | | restaurant. The prices should reflect the type of |
| be appealing to the customer as the first thing a | | | | customers you want to attract. For example, will |
| customer judges is the appearance of the restaurant. | | | | your restaurant be an expensive fine dining |
| 2. Financing: When starting a restaurant, one will | | | | restaurant or an affordable family style restaurant? |
| normally have to make a significant financial | | | | Your food should be fresh and it should stand out |
| investment. This will usually involve acquiring a | | | | from your competitors' food. |
| business loan or getting people to invest in the | | | | 6. Restaurant Employees: Your waiters and |
| establishment. You will need a detailed business plan | | | | waitresses are on the front lines of the business. |
| that will include the funds needed to open the | | | | Your staff should be experienced, professional, |
| restaurant and to keep it financially sound until you | | | | respectful, attentive to the diners, and friendly. Make |
| start making a profit. Costs to take into account | | | | sure staff uniforms are professional and always neat |
| include: lease or purchase costs, equipment and | | | | and clean. As well, your chef should be experienced |
| supplies, renovations, legal fees, food, staff costs, | | | | with cooking the dishes you will be serving. |
| taxes, liquor costs, utilities,etc. The lender needs a | | | | Having the right business plan is essential to opening a |
| business plan that shows how you will make and | | | | restaurant. Creating a step-by-plan will help make sure |
| maintain a profit. | | | | that your restaurant opening is a tremendous |
| 3. Restaurant Vendors: You will have to buy various | | | | success. |