The shifting demographics and the changing lifestyles are driving a surge in food service businesses. Nowadays, busy consumers don’t have the time or the inclination to cook for themselves. They want the fresh flavor of food without the hassle of cooking. In fact, the rising popularity of to-go operations underscores some clear trends in this industry.
A lot of singles, working parents and even the elderly people are demanding greater convenience when it comes to dining. Even the most successful operators with the best managerial skills and the best cooking tools and equipment will tell you running a restaurant isn’t a “get rich quick” scheme, but more like “work hard and make a living”.
To help you get started with your plans to start your own restaurant, here are some things you need to remember:
Knowing Target Markets
There’s not a single food-service operation that has a universal appeal. This is a fact that a lot of brand-new entrepreneurs have trouble accepting; however, the reality is that you’ll never capture 100% of the market.
When you try to please everyone, you’ll eventually end up pleasing no one. Thus, concentrate on only 5 or 10% of the market that you can get, and you can forget about the rest.
Restaurant Service Styles
Restaurants are classified into three primary categories: fast-service, midscale and upscale.
Fast-service restaurants are more commonly referred to as fast-food restaurants. These establishments offer limited menus of items that can be prepared quickly and sold at a low price.
Midscale restaurants, as the name suggests, occupy the middle ground between fast-food and upscale restaurants. They offer full meals but charge prices that customers perceive as providing good value.
Lastly, upscale restaurants offer full table services and don’t necessarily promote their meals as offering great value. Instead, they place all of their focus on the quality of their cuisine and the ambiance of their establishment. Of the three categories, they charge the highest prices. Fine-dining establishments are best examples in this restaurant service style.
Choosing A Food Concept
Restaurant patrons want to be delighted with their dining experience; however, they don’t necessarily want to be surprised to the point that they can’t enjoy their food.
If you’re anticipating something like a family-style steakhouse (basing it on the décor of your place), but finding yourself in a more formal environment with a bewildering – and not to mention pricey – gourmet menu, the surprise may keep you from enjoying the restaurant.
Concepts provide restaurateurs with a way to let their patrons know in advance what to expect in advance, and also to give some structure for their operation. Make sure you give your chosen concept some thought, to make sure you can pull it off.
These are just some of the things you must take into consideration when it comes to opening your own restaurant. Of course, there’s also the matter of finding the best location for your restaurant, buying what you need from a kitchen equipment supplier Philippines, and so on. Once you invest time in making it all possible, you’ll reap the rewards soon after.