Do you dream of owning a restaurant? Food brings families, friends, and communities together. As José Andrés Puerta once said, “I realized very early the power of food to evoke memory, to bring people together, to transport you to other places, and I wanted to be a part of that.” Turning your passion for food into an income-earning career may seem like a faraway dream, but this could be the right moment to start your own restaurant. 

Happier Together

It is reported that forty-four percent of adults wish they were dining out more frequently. Food is essential to everyone’s life, from giving us the energy to get through the day to celebrating the big and small wins. While restaurants feed us, they also provide a location for socialization. Not only will your customers socialize together, but they will also interact with you and your staff! Your restaurant could be the next must-dine location for visiting tourists or become a neighborhood staple with regulars from your community. 

Customers make the place, and putting them first will help your restaurant succeed. For example, more and more consumers are choosing to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, and pickles are making their way on top of more pizzas. Studying the current food trends and community needs will also help you build a solid customer base. 

First Things First: Do Your Homework

To be successful in any industry, it’s essential to do your due diligence before opening up shop is necessary. Simply serving delicious food will most likely not be enough to sustain your business. Therefore, it is vital that you have a detailed, well-organized plan before starting a new restaurant business venture.

The type of food you plan to serve is a great place to start, but also consider the kind of customers you will want to attract to dine at your establishment. For example, are you hoping to attract the busy office lunch crowd who will enjoy made-to-order pizzas from an Ovention Conveyor or those looking for beautifully plated meals finished in the Finishing F1400? This can help you determine if you should be setting up in a food hall in a city center or a location with a beautiful view.  

It is essential to know your competition, both in terms of what and who they are before committing to a location.  Setting up a shop next to or even in the same neighborhood as a competitor could have benefits, such as knowing that the demographic of customers in that area is interested in that cuisine. On the flip side, it can also mean oversaturation and result in fewer patrons at your restaurant. Also, take the time to visit all the restaurants in the area you are considering. This will allow you to identify their strengths and weaknesses, giving your restaurant a competitive edge.

As a small business owner, you have the power to make decisions that benefit not only your restaurant but the community. Sourcing local ingredients from neighborhood vendors will support other small businesses and help build a stronger community. Owning a restaurant is rewarding, but it can also be fun! When you’re ready to explore your kitchen design, schedule a demo with our experts, and they will help you find a setup that suits your needs.