Where do you begin when you want to start your own restaurant business?

Question

I want to start an eclectic menu supper club. I have an idea in my head of how i want it to look, the menu, the marketing...but i haven't a clue as to how to begin...I'm a nurse by day, this is brand new territory, has anyone ever done this before and know what they're talking about? please advise

Answer 1

Go to http://www.score.org/index.html and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.

Answer 2

Just keep in mind that the restaurant business is the number one failing business in the U.S. The main reason is because there is a lot of competition and people without any business sense think that this would be the easiest business to start (which it is but business is still difficult to run no matter what it is). You need to create a business plan to attract potential investors or lenders (unless you are using your own capital for startup). From there, you can raise some money and get started.

Answer 3

Always begin by writing a business plan. This will include among other things writing down and organizing all those things in your head, and writing down all the things you will need to have or do in order to start and operate your business, how much money you'll need to start and operate it and to live on until it starts making money, how you'll finance it, what employees you'll need to hire and how much you'll pay them and what laws you'll have to follow as an employer, what laws there are in your area for serving food, where you'll locate, etc etc etc. Once you have it all down in writing, you can better evaluate whether it makes sense to do, and you'll be prepared to approach potential lenders.

You might find some ideas and help at http://www.bplans.com/samples/mbus.cfm

Good luck.

Answer 4

You BEGIN by having about $100,000 in your hands before you can do anything else... contact me when you are ready to proceed.