The restaurant industry is more difficult than ever to break into. Not only is there plenty of competition out there, but it’s also increasingly difficult to stay afloat in the midst of a global pandemic.
Regardless of the challenges, there are still people out there who continue to brave the process and open new restaurants. The sad reality is that a large portion of these restaurants wind up closing their doors forever. However, there are some that manage to stand the test of time.
So, what is the secret to making it work or not? Take a look at some of the best insider tips that will increase your chances of success once you open your doors.
Do Your Research
It’s best to know what you’re getting into before you dive in. Far too many first-time restaurant owners assume that it’s as easy as opening a restaurant, and the customers will line up. However, there is a lot to be learned about the process first. Whether it’s how to store food, handle food waste, or the best kind of kitchen equipment to buy, there’s no shortage of things to study.
The more that you know, the better equipped that you’ll be to handle the challenges as they come. Not only will you produce better results for your customers, but your employees will have more respect for you as well.
Hire a Solid Team
Half of the experience of eating in a restaurant is the service and experience. Your staff plays a critical role in how much your customers will enjoy their food. Make sure that you hire people that don’t just have experience but who believe in what you’re selling.
They should be willing to put in the work to learn the menu and know all of the ingredients. Nothing looks less professional than an employee who has no idea how to answer customers’ questions about the dishes.
Market Yourself
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that people will show up out of the kindness of their hearts. Get the word out as much as possible. That means doing everything from sending out marketing emails to starting social media accounts.
Make sure that customers know where to find you and how to get ahold of you. It can be incredibly frustrating trying to look up a restaurant online and finding the address and phone number aren’t clearly listed.
Be Consistent
One of the biggest complaints that customers have about restaurants is a lack of consistency. Sometimes restaurants deliver excellent service, and other times, it’s subpar. When a customer feels like they never know what they’re going to get, they may not be willing to take a gamble.
Be consistent in delivering quality service and food, and you’ll set yourself up for success!