Even if you think you have everything under control, it’s wise to follow an Opening a Restaurant Checklist to be on the safe side. Opening a new café or restaurant is a big project and it’s easy to forget to pay attention to points that are important components of a restaurant’s success.
With our restaurant opening checklist, you’re sure to be well covered in all vital areas.
Why is a checklist for opening a new restaurant important?
No matter how organized and experienced a restaurateur you are, we dare say you can benefit from an opening a new restaurant checklist.
The checklist not only ensures that you remember to pay attention to all areas. It also saves you valuable planning time and is easy to use so you don’t have to start planning the opening yourself. The checklist is also a good common starting point for the whole team, so everyone knows what the goal is.
How to open a restaurant – step by step
Step 1: Decide on a concept
Your concept is what the restaurant overall expresses to the outside world. For this first point on our restaurant opening checklist, you need to decide what the restaurant should look like, what kind of service you want and what kind of food you want to specialize in.
Step 2: Create a business and financial plan
In this phase, you need to create a business model that includes your restaurant marketing plan, operational plan, and a plan for how your restaurant will be financed.
Step 3: Find a location and start designing your restaurant
Once you’ve settled on a concept and found the right space, you’re ready to decorate your restaurant.
Step 4: Apply for restaurant licenses and permits
This is a hugely important point on your opening a restaurant checklist, as it aims to secure the necessary permits to run the business.
These permits include food certificates, sellers permits, alcohol licenses, music licenses and the like.
You’ll also need insurance. Read our blog: What kind of insurance does a restaurant need?
Step 5: Hire your staff
Find waiters, chefs and other staff ready to give your guests a great restaurant experience.
Step 6: Choose a booking system and other restaurant technology
The last point on your restaurant opening checklist to check off before you’re ready to open is systems and restaurant technology such as table reservation systems.
You’ll need a POS system and a payment system, among other things. We also recommend investing in a table booking system so you can easily manage the seats in your restaurant. You can read more about popular booking systems like easyTable and other restaurant booking systems here.
Published by easyTable.