Jan 12, 2018
Are you ready to open a restaurant? In this episode, we discuss some of the rules for new restaurant owners and the step-by-step process of starting a restaurant from ideation to grand opening. We also break down the math of why restaurants offer free refills and how understanding that math is vital to a restaurant’s success. We kick the show off with a story of one of my favorite restaurant owners, Chef Gary Williams of DeJaVu. Opening Monologue: HOW TO START A RESTAURANT [2:42] Tribute to Gary Williams DE JA VU [6:08] SEGMENT 1 **ONE QUICK STORY** [14:38]SEGMENT 2 **WHY DO RESTAURANTS FAIL** [14:51] The Owner Is Inexperienced [15:42] The Owner Is Lazy [17:13] Proper Accounting Not In Place [19:38] Overspend Before The Doors Open [20:26] Terrible or Inconsistent Customer Service/The Customer Is Not Always Right [22:50] The Food Is Not Good/ Lack Of Recipe Consistency [24:13] Lack Of Marketing [25:11] Segment 3 **Rules For New Restaurant Owners** [25:22] Make Sure Kids Eat First [27:14] Don’t Clear Dishes Too Soon [27:59] Have Engaged But Not Annoying Servers [28:22] Give the Customer What They Asked For [28:46] Don’t Make Comments [29:28]***Break*** [31:03]SEGMENT 4 **HOW TO START A RESTAURANT [31:10] Write A Business Plan [32:28] Think About A Food Concept [33:14] Consider The Ambience [33:58] Consider Serving Style [36:52] Research The Costs [37:24] Be Mindful Of Restaurant Location [38:05] Clean Restaurant according to Federal, State, and Local Laws [39:53] Get A Business License [40:34] Call A Health Inspector/Surveyor For Alcohol [42:21] Get A Music License [43:56] Call Your Restaurant Association [44:36] Consider Renting A Commercial Kitchen [45:33] Secure Funding/Start With Your Resources [47:03] Maybe A Commercial Lending [48:15] Ask Family And Friends [49:53] Government Assistance [50:32] Look For Food Vendors [54:22] Hire Great Employees [57:43] Have Your Target Audience In Mind [59:48] Have A Grand Opening [1:01:47] Do Tons Of Marketing [1:03:36] Have An Amazing Logo [1:04:14] Keep The Ship Afloat [1:05:49] Ask For Customer/Employee Feedback [1:08:39] My Final Take [1:09:15] Why Restaurants Offer Refills [1:11:36] Ending Credits Want gear from The Startup Life? https://goo.gl/fP6Acv Need great teaching resources? https://goo.gl/kgyB1z Have comments or want to advertise on The Startup Life? counsel@askowlsolutions.com Resources mentioned in this episode: [7:58] Need an EIN? https://goo.gl/1RwS1N [39:33] Sample of Opening and Closing Procedures https://goo.gl/bDXp1M [17:53] Point Of Sale Sale Systems https://goo.gl/wmaFfN [47:50]Alternative Lending Options For Your Business https://goo.gl/YXDx8D [49:53]SBA Loans https://goo.gl/CswPCG Additional Resources: https://goo.gl/qZFkis https://goo.gl/z1Uuq8 https://goo.gl/v3sCYD https://goo.gl/6wg75T