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It’s been a difficult year for everyone, but none more so than the hospitality industry which has suffered immensely due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While many restaurants have struggled to survive, others have adapted with deliveries and takeaways, however, it has still not been easy. No one knows what the future holds but the public is eager to get back to eating out and supporting their local businesses, so if you’re hoping for a relaunch or you are thinking about opening a new restaurant then you need to know the key ingredients for making it successful.
A concept
Today, if you want to stand out or even fit in, then you’re going to need a concept for your restaurant. Basically, you need to decide what type of restaurant you want to offer, you need to know who your target audience is and what your unique selling point is. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it might be an idea to think about how you can adapt to the new norm by offering takeaway and delivery service and by being prepared for anything. Al fresco dining has become far more popular now after it became the norm during the pandemic, so you might want to read more about other restaurants that are making a success of it despite restrictions being lifted.
Plenty of research
There’s no point having a great idea for a restaurant if you’re not going to do any research to make sure it’s going to work. For example, what might work in one area or location might get no interest at all in another. No matter what business you’re planning on opening, it’s important to do sufficient research on the market and the competitors. Don’t go into it blindly, get all the information you can.
Business plan
Every business needs a business plan and not only will this help you to get investors and funding but it will keep your business on track as it acts as a roadmap for the direction you want to take your business in. There’s plenty of information online on how to write a business plan, it doesn’t need to be too excessive but it does need to cover what your startup costs are going to be, how much you need for your premises, your equipment from everything from your mixing bowls to your walk in cooler doors, your staff and any promotion you'll need to do. Write everything down that you can think of so that potential investors have all the information they need.
Premises
Finding the perfect premises for your restaurant can be difficult as it’s dependent on many factors: where you want to be located, the type of building you want your restaurant to be in, where your customers are how much money you have to buy or rent somewhere. Think about the restaurant and who your audience is, are you targeting lunchtime workers? Then you need to be where they are. Or perhaps you’re going for lunch deliveries for those who are now working from home, in which case, do you need to have an actual restaurant or just a kitchen somewhere?
Good Promotion
Remember that you’re competing against other restaurants so it’s not just enough to be there now, you need to shout about it and let people know where you are and what you’re offering. Use social media to promote your business and build a community.