How To Start A Restaurant Business In 10 STEPS | DOING BUSINESS IN AFRICA

How To Start A Restaurant Business In 10 STEPS | DOING BUSINESS IN AFRICA

1) Work in a Restaurant
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of owning a failed restaurant is to have some restaurant experience before you start. Many successful restaurateurs have said that the best way to prepare for owning a restaurant is by working in one, hopefully in an eatery similar to one you’d like to open. You’ll learn more than just how to serve food with a smile; you can learn restaurant marketing, menu development, payroll, and other significant components of the restaurant world. Working in the restaurant industry and learning the basics is an important first step to becoming an owner.

2) Know Your Target Market

Who do you see eating at your restaurant? Are you targeting the family crowd, teenagers or seniors? Knowing your target market before you start planning will not only help you solidify your menu; it will help determine your location, décor and the overall atmosphere of your restaurant. A family-style restaurant, which caters to parents and their kids, may not appeal to seniors. On the other hand, an upscale, quiet restaurant offering a two-hour dining experience wouldn’t be appealing to teenagers or families with small children.

3) Select a Service Style and Food Concept

What type of restaurant do you see yourself owning? One of the first things you must decide is what specific service style you are interested in. If you are a morning person, you may be more apt to owning a diner specializing in breakfast and brunch. On the other hand, if you consider yourself a night owl you may prefer an after 4 p.m. dinner/bar crowd.

Typically, you service style will either be fast-food, which offers food types that range from burgers, fries, hot dogs and sandwiches; midscale, which has full course meals at value prices; or upscale, offering full service meals with high-class ambiance and, in turn, higher prices. After narrowing your establishment to one of these three options, you can narrow your style of food choices. Is there a particular type of cuisine that you see yourself serving? Do you prefer pizza or seafood? Sandwiches or Chinese? Choosing your food concept goes hand-in-hand with your choice in service style.

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