You’ve found the perfect location. You’ve raised all the capital you need for your launch. You’ve gotten the necessary licenses and permits, built your perfect team, designed your menu and gotten up to date with the latest technology. Now that you’ve done all the necessary work to build your new restaurant, it’s time to prepare for launch!
Owning a restaurant is a huge undertaking, and you need to make sure you’re ready to handle the responsibilities of managing an entire business. In the customer service industry especially, unexpected situations crop up every day; it can feel unmanageable if you’re not prepared to think on your feet and deal with regular unexpected occurrences. Flexibility and understanding go a long way, but these skills take time to foster.
You can test your preparedness by launching on a small scale first. Operating a pop-up location, food truck or catering service will give you a sense of what to expect before diving headfirst into owning a restaurant. If you’re expanding to a second location, you could host a big event to get a feel for the responsibilities associated with a larger clientele.
Consider also scouting some maintenance teams in advance. When problems inevitably arise, you have somebody to call rather than wasting time shopping around for the best deal while simultaneously handling a crisis. Contract a plumber, electrician and similar work teams so you can solve emergencies quickly instead of wasting precious time getting quotes while your restaurant is in crisis.
It’s also a good time to consider your marketing strategy. By planning in advance, you can maximize the effectiveness of your launch and even advertise for the event. Once you get busier, you’ll already have a plan in place so you can continue steady outreach without disrupting workflow.
Most importantly, mentally prepare for your new responsibilities. Owning a restaurant is an exciting venture, and this is the time to make sure you’re ready for it.
