Small restaurants have a lot of advantages over larger ones. They offer instant leisure and good food which provide comfort and a sense of relaxation to the visitors. They usually require less startup capital for equipment, lesser staff and also, the cost of maintenance is very low. Even if the restaurant has lesser seating provision, it can enjoy sizable profits. Most restaurant startups are designed carefully, both in terms of how they look and how they perform, in order to reap benefits from the business while providing the best possible experience to all guests.
The right location matters
Whatever size a startup restaurant is, location is one of the most important aspects to consider. Not every space is ideal for a restaurant. Sometimes a heavily crowded place might not be ideal while a quiet corner might turn out to be the best choice for you. What most restaurant startups keep in mind are parking and visibility. If a restaurant startup is successful, location is one of the primary reasons why it is so. If you’re planning to start your own, ensure that you’re not lured by just the number of people in the area. There are more factors to consider before you finalise.
Small restaurant dining rooms
Surprisingly, most restaurant startups are small dining rooms. They offer an instantly cosy atmosphere where people can relax and unwind. You will notice that a typical restaurant dining room design includes waiting areas and storage. While it is tempting to add more seating in the dining room, most startups refrain from doing so as this leads to poor service and makes it hard for staff manage all tables and even harder for customers to enjoy their meals. Most times each table is between 24 and 30 inches apart and this is ideal for a pleasant experience. For any new restaurant startup, it is important to manage space effectively and not overdo any kind of decor in order to make it a more comfortable space for people to be in.
Flexibility is another important aspect when planning a small dining space. The space should allow tables to be moved together for parties and ceremonies, if need be. Whichever pattern of arrangement you choose for your restaurant startup, it’s very important that there’s enough space for both, customers and staff to move in and out through the spaces comfortably.
A business plan
Whether the restaurant startup is a small cafe or a luxurious eatery, a business plan is needed to secure financing. It is a roadmap to success. It helps you plan your startup budget, expected transactions of profit and loss, payroll for employees, and other expenses. Licensing and tax laws also come into the picture, something that you must’ve not considered when you had planned initially. That’s why restaurant startups always have a ready business plan that leads the way for any decisions that are to be made.
Promote Your Small Restaurant
If you see restaurant startups with high table turnover, it means higher profits, even if it’s a small restaurant. Promotion and marketing of your restaurant is very important. There are plenty of ways to market your restaurant. Most restaurant startups choose traditional advertising like local papers, pamphlets while newer restaurant startups choose social media as their main marketing platform. A social media marketing campaign can help restaurants find and retain new customers and also helps them keep a check on competitors. This is the best way to gain more reach and create awareness about your new restaurant.
It is a myth that successful restaurants have to be big. If you’ve noticed, many small restaurants are very successful. Most world famous restaurants are small, located in quaint corners yet offering impeccable cuisine, ambience and service. While small restaurants do have their very own set of challenges, they offer a unique and refreshing dining experience that comes with a sense of exclusivity. This is very appealing to customers. So, if you’re planning to start your own restaurant, bear in mind that it doesn’t have to be big. If you’re clueless on how to go about it, it’s time to go for a good and experienced restaurant consultant who can help you win!
