Success is every entrepreneur’s dream. If they are starting a restaurant, they want it to be popular and successful. But most of them are not experienced enough to see the path to success.
What they need is a plan. It should preferably come from the minds of seasoned, well-known professionals in this field. You can also follow Alsco’s guidelines below, featuring a detailed restaurant business plan.
1. Visual Design is more Important than Ever
Nothing will keep the customers coming back as much as a welcoming atmosphere. They will be looking for a safe haven from the everyday rat-race. The restaurant is a place where they treat themselves to some wonderful meals. This is why the design of your restaurant should not be taken lightly.
2. Try Small but Crowded over Large but Empty
Not only will your restaurant seem more popular when full of people, but this will add to the atmosphere as well. If you are starting from scratch, you want every customer to leave with a smile on their face. Find excellent interior designers to make your lack of space work for you.
3. It’s All about the ‘Hood
Location is the next on your list. What you want is a crowded area, with lots of facilities in the vicinity. Free parking, public transport stations, and a large sport center in the vicinity are your best bets. After this, all you need to think about is getting the people in.
4. Everyone Needs a Strong Social Media Presence
The miracle of social media is everywhere these days. Your business needs a social media account, even several of them. Without them, you are losing out on the majority of your potential clients!
Start with the basics: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Social media is visual media. Tastefully arranged images of food and atmosphere will bring curious future customers.
5. Do You Even Blog?
Social networks are a powerful tool of restaurant presentation, but the blog is a powerful marketing weapon in its own right. More personal than other social media, it allows you to create a unique voice for yourself.
6. Social Events are Your Bread and Butter
Create and host small gatherings. Invite other “social media influencers” to boost your promotional activities. Offer them a deal or a sponsorship and you will see your online presence grow.
Arrange something different for such occasions. Theme parties are always a good idea and special menus are always well received. This will also keep your inventory balanced.
7. Food Trends Change, Stay Ahead
You are not expected to chase after each new trend that pops up. Best restaurants create their own trends. Still, you always have to stay on top of the trendy stuff. Currently, it is the healthy food that is all the rage. Many of your customers will want organic, vegan or gluten free meals.
Remember, people who feel passionate about their food are also the ones who will promote you the most.
8. Appreciate the Loyalty of Your Customers
Speaking of promotion, word-of-mouth is still the bread-winner in this line of work. If your atmosphere, food and service spark passion in a customer, they might bring you a dozen new ones. Show your appreciation to returning customers. Perhaps by offering loyalty benefits to those who keep coming back?
9. Presentation is Half the Work
Think of the presentation as a way to add to the atmosphere of your establishment. Choose your linen, utensils and tableware with the care they deserve. This will tie in with your social media presence. Remember that people like to take photos of their meals. Clean, stylish and functional, the holy trinity of a restaurant’s presentation.
10. Mind the Menu Design Concept
Would you go all out on tableware, only to have poor colors and ugly fonts on your menus? Certainly not. Carefully choose the layout of your menu and everything that it entails. Hire a professional. It will mean the world for your reputation.
11. Kitchen Requires a bit of Special Attention
Kitchen – the place where the magic happens. The heart of your restaurant. And just like the heart needs strong vessels, so does the kitchen need efficient workflow. If your kitchen is functional and spotlessly clean – so will the rest of your restaurant.
12. Main Ingredients are Your Ticket to Customer Happiness
After treating your customers to a great presentation, how will you keep them happy? This is especially difficult when different people have different preferences regarding food.
What you want to do is create a list of ingredients for every item of food you have on offer. This means the guests will know what they are eating in advance. It might save your staff from answering a lot of questions.
13. Win Your Guests’ Trust with Professional Staff Workwear
Speaking of your staff, they are your direct link to the customers. They need to look spotless. What better way to achieve this than through high-quality workwear? The effect of uniforms is always positive. Your staff will appear more professional and trustworthy.
14. Hygienic Standards Par Excellence
The one thing that you should never compromise on is the hygiene of your restaurant. Poor hygiene alone has the power to close your business down. Make sure you carefully clean every part of the restaurant. Oh, and don’t forget the washrooms.
If you think this is too much for you, hiring professionals is not a bad alternative. Whatever you decide to do, make hygienic standards your top priority. This is also a matter of health for your staff and guests!
15. Online Services Keep You in the Business
In today’s day and age, online services are a must. With the ubiquitous smartphones, you would do well to let people book or order food online. After all, you need all generations in your restaurant.
This list is merely scratching the surface of all the things that can and should be done by restaurant owners. If you are thirsty for knowledge, make sure you have a go at this comprehensive restaurant business plan. It will help you immensely!
