how to start a restaurant business?

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* The Restaurant Business Start-up Guide by Paul Daniels
* Restaurants That Work: Case Studies of the Best in the Industry by Martin E. Dorf
* Restaurant Financial Basics by Raymond S. Schmidgall
* Opening a Restaurant or Other Food Business Starter Kit: How to Prepare a Restaurant Business Plan and Feasibility Study by Sharon Fullen
* Upstart Guide Owning & Managing a Restaurant by Roy S. Alonzo
* The Restaurant Managers Handbook: How to Set Up, Operate, and Manage a Financially Successful Food Service Operation by Douglas Robert Brown

New York Specific:
* How to Start a Business in New York by Paul W. Barnard, Mark Warda
* How to Start a Business in New York by Entrepreneur Press

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

It's a tough, tough business, the nventory management kills 9 of 10 restaurants that open. Have you worked in a restaurant? If not do that, and then learn, learn, learn.

I would advise against - "throwing up a little stand and the people will come" approach. It has worked, but rarely.

That said, you work your butt off, it's not an absentee owner type business. you get there early, stay late, fix the problem, clean the tables work. Early next morning you do it again, repeat.

You need location, a good food concept, good financing, emergency reserve for the hood you thougtht woud be $5000 and is now $15000. If you have limited experience in the business, it may not be the best idea.

I'm not trying to pee on your Wheaties here, lot's of places have succeeded with a wing and a prayer start, and if you have the passion and the drive, go for it. If it's something you're kind of thinking about, be cautious.

FYI - My brother opened a restaurant on half the normal budget, and it has been successful, one of the 10 best new restaurants in St. Louis according to the local paper, he had 15 years restaurant experience including management going in. I worked in restaurants, for a number of years.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

Answer 3

Anyone can start a resturant as long as you have common sense and a good work ethic. I wouldn't say you need to work in a restuarant first before opening one maybe go eat out alot and that would be the same experience rather then working there. Try not to bang to many of the workers and also avoid the drinking/drugs that are associated with the restuarant industry. The main thing to watch out for is the lease agreement and not getting in over your head which 9 out of 10 leases provide you to do rather easily. Don't fall in love with a location and don't be affraid to pass a location up as there is always something better that will come along.

Answer 4

Before proceeding on this venture, you must decide what type of cuisine you have in mind for your restaurant... Texmex ?? Italian, French, Chinese, Indian, German ?? etc ??

After you have decided on the above, check out the neighborhood where you want to open your restaurant ??? who are your Competitors that are doing the same cuisine ?? check out their biz .... go to these Restaurant for meals to know their food flavors, pricings, menu etc etc.... you must have a sound knowledge of all these facts before proceeding so that you know where you are going to stand when you open your own place in the same area.... in order to be a step ahead of them ~~ Plan a lot of great promotions in the beginning to attract clients to you place ... so on & so forth....

Every Biz venture is tough and risky at the beginning and yeah ~ restaurant line may be a much harder and riskier biz than most others but if you do your homework well, do some hardwork and commit all your passion in your biz, there is no reason why you cannot succeed.

Answer 5

I want to say congrats on your big dreams. Opening a restaurant can be a very lucrative venture or one that nothing but problematic. I may be able to offer you some assistance. If you are open to see what I may be able to do for you contact me directly. I protect and grow small business for a living.

Good luck either way... It can be successful if you are dedicated to it...

Answer 6

make a business plan first. its going to be a challenge especially of u think of opening 1 similar to any near to the location u chose.b/c of competition, so chose something different.. good luck

Answer 7

this is the riskiest business in the world-- did not work out 4 me-- good luck