Making the decision to open your own restaurant is a big one. The excitement along the way can have you forgetting some of the key elements you’ll need to have a successful business. Here are six of the essentials you’ll want to make sure you have before you open your restaurant doors.
A Business Plan
When the metal hits the road and you’re running around trying to keep on top of customers, it can be easy to forget why you started in the first place. You should have a clearly laid out business plan that states what the mission is of your restaurant and your future plans. This gives you a solid document to refer back to when you don’t have a clear or refreshed mind to do so.
Licenses and Permits
The specifics of what you’re going to need will vary from location to location. Talking with your local code office can reveal just what specific permits and licenses you’ll need to actually open your restaurant doors. Don’t be surprised if your friend’s coffee shop doesn’t have to get as many permits as your gourmet food restaurant. Many times, the more diverse your restaurant selection, the more permits you’ll need to supply your customers with the food and drinks that they want.
Repair Company List
When you’re a restaurant, you can’t wait for days for a repairman to fix your problem. Rather, you need companies who work around the clock. It’s a great idea to make a list of repair companies that offer 24/7 service. Some examples may include commercial water heater repair and commercial electrical repair. By having this list ready to go, you’ll know just who to get ahold of when disaster strikes.
Payment Processing Accounts
This is the bread and butter of where your money comes from. You need to have a clear plan for how you’re going to handle taking payments from customers. In this day and age, operating on a cash-only basis will not reward you with many consumers. You need to think about how customers want to pay and what you can do to accommodate those wants.
Unique Selling Proposition
To be successful in the restaurant industry you need to have a clearly identifiable unique selling proposition or USP for short. Your USP is the thing that makes you different from all the rest of your competitors. Think of this as the one thing that attracts customers and helps them to describe why your restaurant is better than others.
Knowledgeable Staff Members
You can’t have a successful restaurant without a knowledgeable staff. You should have your staff hired and trained before you ever consider opening your doors. They should know the entire menu and be able to answer simple questions regarding the items on it. No one likes having to wait while the waiter or waitress goes to the back to ask a question.
Opening a new restaurant can be a challenging and fun-filled adventure. Understanding the essentials you need to make it all happen is a must. Be sure that the six items above are included in your to-do list before you open those doors.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.
