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How to Start a Restaurant

Opening a Restaurant - Start to Finish

Your restaurant concept defines the overall type of restaurant you run, including the appearance, menu type, service type, and overall atmosphere. Creating a concept is one of the key ingredients to a successful endeavor.

Making the Decision

Is Running a Restaurant Right for You?

For aspiring business owners, opening a restaurant can seem like a dream come true. Running your own eatery can be rewarding and enjoyable, especially if you love people and

food. The industry is not all glamour and fun, however. You should take the time to learn whether it is really for you before jumping in.
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Restaurant Options

Top 10 Tips for Buying an Existing Restaurant Franchise vs. Starting an Independent Restaurant Opening an Independent Restaurant Restaurants Organized as Sole Proprietorships Buy an Existing Restaurant vs. Starting from Scratch

Money Talk

Opening a restaurant requires capital and financial foresight. Learn how to plan your financing.

Funding Your New Restaurant Projecting Sales for Your New Restaurant

Creating a Restaurant Top to Bottom

Make Your Dream a Reality

In order for your new restaurant to succeed, before you open, you must have a marketable concept, a good location, a memorable name and eye-catching curb appeal.

Your restaurants kitchen is the backbone of your operation. Be sure it is ergonomically designed, well-equipped and stocked with the finest and freshest ingredients.

The atmosphere, design and layout of a dining room has a big impact on customer experience. Learn the basics of front-of-house restaurant design.

After all the hard work and planning that goes into starting a restaurant, make sure that you put some thought into when and how you will open your doors to the public. Consider the time of year as well as well as the benefits of scheduling a soft opening.

Your Restaurant’s Opening Day

People and Resources

Starting a restaurant from scratch requires a lot of labor. Inspectors will look at every aspect of your restaurant. Furthermore, you need to hire not only employees, but also contractors to build your restaurant or service your operation.

How Commercial Kitchen Operators Can Obtain a Food Handler's Permit
Food handler's permits are required by the FDA. Learn how to obtain a permit and what the permit means.
The People Involved with Building a Restaurant
The hardest part about restaurant marketing is knowing where to begin. Start by educating yourself and developing an actionable plan. Learn the proper steps to develop a truly successful marketing strategy.
Inspections for New Restaurants
A consistent and unique design concept will increase brand awareness and recognition of your restaurant while highlighting your selling points. Learn the best ways to develop branding for your restaurant.
Restaurant Health and Safety Codes
In order to successfully market your restaurant, you should always be looking around. By analyzing the local market in which you do business, you can determine the best ways to attract customers and beat your direct competition.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
The people who live and work around your restaurant likely share certain characteristics. By analyzing their age, income level, size of household and other factors that influence purchasing decisions, you can best decide how to market yourself to them.
Contracted Services for Your Restaurant
A successful restaurant must always know what the competition is doing in order to survive in the market. Learn how to analyze your competitors and gain an edge over them.
Hiring a General Manager for Your Restaurant
Repeat customers are your restaurant’s best resource. If you spend the majority of your marketing budget trying to attract new patrons, learn why you should switch tactics to attract the regulars.