Want to open your own restaurant? It’s a great idea, because eating establishments are still popular. But do you know where to start?

Take care of your customers first. Find out their needs and tastes. Then carefully choose the location. The next steps are:

• Creating a solid business plan;
• obtaining valid permits.

These are the most important – but not the only – steps on the way to opening a restaurant. Learn the rest of our step-by-step tips on how to start a restaurant. We’ll tell you how to find staff and trusted suppliers. We’ll also reveal what equipment you should invest in.

We will also answer the question of how you can advertise your business. With this knowledge, a complicated process will become simpler.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR THE RESTAURANT

The right location is one of the elements that determine the attractiveness of a restaurant. Therefore, it cannot be a coincidence.

How do you find the perfect location for a restaurant? Consider several factors.

Customer needs

The right location for a restaurant should be tailored to the needs and preferences of customers. A good restaurant must be located in a place that will keep guests calm and facilitate relaxation.

Competitive facilities

At the beginning of starting your business, carefully study the area where you want to open your premises. Check where similar facilities are located.

Competition may come from the neighborhood: schools, kindergartens or churches. These facilities will make it more difficult to issue liquor licenses.

Safety of guests and staff

A good location guarantees a sense of security for guests and staff. So check the potential location from this angle. Also make sure the facility will be easily accessible to the fire department and ambulance.

Infrastructure

It is not unimportant whether the restaurant has good access to:

• parking;
• MPK stop;
• cab rank.

Traffic

A sparsely traveled area is also not the best form of advertising for a restaurant. So is an area where it is extremely noisy. So take care of this aspect of the location as well.

Additional customer information

If you want to find the perfect location for your restaurant, get to know your potential customer. Create a survey or use social media, such as local groups on FB. Ask a question there about your planned investment. You will certainly get a lot of valuable information.

DEVELOP A GOOD BUSINESS PLAN FOR OPENING A RESTAURANT

To open a premises, you will need a good business plan. What should be included in it?

1. Description of the business – do it at the end, once you have an outline of your vision for running the premises.
2. Market and competitor analysis – focus on facilities that could pose a potential threat or hindrance to you.
3. Financial issues – expenses related to the opening, promotion and operation of the restaurant. At this point it is worthwhile to find out about the issue of financing. Numerous institutions supporting budding entrepreneurs and banks serve this purpose.
4. Financial forecast – total profit and loss, profitability and sensitivity analysis.
5. Personnel and equipment – expenses for:
   • salaries and emoluments;
   • Purchase of equipment and work tools;
   • use of the premises;
   • concession fees, etc.
6. Marketing activities – how do you want to make a name for yourself in the market.
7. Target group – when bringing your catering business into existence, you need to sketch the profile of your potential customer. This will make it easier for you to choose the menu, but also the decor of the premises, etc.

SETTING UP THE COMPANY AND COMPLETING THE FORMALITIES

Before you open your own catering establishment, you need to register your business. You will do this free of charge. To do this, fill out an application for entry in the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity. Submit it to the UM.

Pay attention to the correct completion of the application, as it constitutes a declaration of your own activity to the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

In order to be able to set up a restaurant, you must fill out a ZZA and/or ZUA form within 7 days – counting from the day you start your business.

SANITARY RULES AND HACCP SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

An important step in opening a restaurant is to develop and implement a HACCP system. What is it?

HACCP stands for hazard analysis and critical control point system. In the case of restaurants, it refers to strict control over the production, storage of food and serving of food to guests. This document obliges the owner of the establishment to:

• To note the status of refrigerators and freezers;
• Maintain efficient air conditioning in the kitchen;
• storing food in appropriate conditions;
• The use of quality products;
• Maintaining a schedule for the purchase and maintenance of equipment.

If the document is not created and completed on an ongoing basis during the operation of the premises, SANEPID has the right to impose a financial penalty on the owner. The rules included in the HACCP are at the same time elements of the inspections that SANEPID can carry out at the premises unannounced.

PERMITS AND LICENSES NECESSARY IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY

The next step is to obtain licenses and permits. Which documents are being referred to?

1. Liquor license – to obtain it you need an application for a license to sell alcohol. You submit it to the City Hall or the Delegation of the Bureau of Economic Activities and Permits. Each type of alcohol is a separate permit and fee.
2. Permission for public performance of music – a license agreement signed with organizations such as ZAiKS or STOART. This involves the payment of appropriate fees.
3. Consent from SANEPID – here you need an application for acceptance of the premises, which is submitted to a branch of the sanitary-epidemiological station. After receiving a positive decision, you must wait for the inspector to visit the premises and issue a permit after the inspection.

SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYMENT

The success of a restaurant depends largely on the people employed. They should have the right skills. Therefore, you need to take the time to find a solid staff. We are talking about waiters, cooks, kitchen help and managers.

Where and how to look for employees?

Depending on where you open your place, you can recruit people in several ways:

• a large city – by posting ads on services or posting the appropriate information on the site of the premises;
• smaller locality – posting information on FB groups or reporting the need to the Labor Office.

How do you find the right people? First of all, you need to establish the criteria and skills you want your employees to have.

During the interview, it is worth asking questions about past experience, but also interests. First impressions are also important, as well as whether the person declares a willingness to learn.

Once you’ve found employees – send them for training. The most important ones are about:

• health and safety regulations;
• operation of catering equipment;
• operating a cash register;
• Dealing with difficult customers.

SELECTION OF SUPPLIERS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS

An important step in opening your own restaurant is the selection of suppliers and business partners. You can make contacts that interest you:

• Going to industry events;
• using trade journals;
• By contacting directly the sales department of the company you are interested in.

What to consider when choosing?

1. Quality of products and services offered.
2. Timeliness.
3. Feedback on your contractors.
4. Location of the supplier – it is advisable to have its headquarters as close to your restaurant as possible. This affects the costs associated with transportation.

It is also important to prepare a detailed list of necessary products in advance. It is also good practice to do a supplier check purchase.

RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT AND INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE PREMISES

Also take care of the interior design. It should reflect the character of the establishment and relate to the menu served, while making guests feel comfortable and at ease.

Restaurant equipment is also important. And it’s not just about kitchen equipment. You also need to take care of the comfort of your guests. So choose:

• comfortable chairs and tables – preferably wooden;
• adequate lighting – soft light that does not tire the eyes will work best.

If your restaurant has a bar, make sure the counter is aesthetically pleasing and original, and the bar chairs provide comfort (are adjustable) and safety.

Find out what equipment to equip your catering establishment with: https://www.sperto.pl/w-jaki-sprzet-wyposazyc-lokal-gastronomiczny/

INVESTMENTS IN PROFESSIONAL CATERING KITCHEN EQUIPMENT

Equipping a catering kitchen is the penultimate step of opening a restaurant. Bet on appliances: sturdy, durable and as functional as possible. Reach for recognized brands. Do not be afraid of energy-saving solutions. They will provide you with considerable savings.

Also be sure to get a good service like SPERTO, for example, with more than two decades of experience and presence in the market. The company offers a wide range of services and supplies original parts.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION OF NEWLY OPENED RESTAURANT

The last step you need to take when opening your restaurant is to properly promote your establishment. Here you have quite a few options – from advertising on social networks to more traditional forms, such as advertising flyers.

It may be a good idea to hold tastings in an open space. To reach your target audience even faster, you can enter into partnerships with influencers or food bloggers.

In summary, to open a restaurant you need a solid business plan and clearly defined goals and target group. Besides, you need to take care of a good location and prepare important documents and permits. Also, don’t forget to report the business and the application to SANEPID. Good luck!