The restaurant business is thriving in the UK and stats show that consumers spent around £88 billion in 2017 alone. Therefore, if you are considering the idea of getting into the industry, rest assured that it definitely has potential.
Before you can even begin to expect profits though, you will need to get a few basics on point. They are not complicated really, but it’s important that you don’t make a mistake early on because flourishing as the trade may be, a lot of places do shut down due to bad business every year.
Calculating the Volume of Raw Supplies Required
You need to estimate how much raw food supplies will be needed on a regular basis from your suppliers and then buy storage equipment accordingly. The estimation should be based on multiple factors, which include how many covers you have, your staff numbers, the cooking capacity of the kitchen and, of course, the popularity of the location.
Making a mistake here can lead to wasted money and supplies, so the general idea is to start small with the orders, but to buy comparatively bigger storage units with the future in mind. You can always modify your order but installing a cold storage room is usually not something that restaurant owners do on a regular basis!
Do You Have the Right Equipment?
The term “right equipment” is quite subjective, as it largely depends on the nature and size of the restaurant’s operations. For example, ice machines are essential if you have an on-site bar, but how do you know which one would be appropriate for the needs of your restaurant? Check out a range of options, such as these from fridgefreezerdirect.co.uk. Remember, capacity is important, as is the reliability of the brand as well as price.
As you can guess, the same rule also applies to your ovens, cookware, utensils, dishware, etc. Do not waste money in buying any equipment or tool that you either have no use for or will prove to be insufficient a few months down the line, especially if it happens to be something expensive.
The Importance of the Seating Arrangement is Often Underestimated
Great views from the windows and aesthetic furniture with a beautiful décor inside are going to attract people to your establishment all the time. However, it is the comfort that makes them come back and that should be your priority while designing the seating arrangements.
When people are comfortable sitting in a restaurant, it has two business benefits. Firstly, they will stay longer and spend more money in your place and secondly, they will come back often and will bring friends and family with them. Make sure the that tables are at the right height, the couches/chairs are ergonomically built, and each booth or table has enough space in between them to give your customers the privacy they need.
These few pointers should help you avoid common mistakes that emerging restauranteurs often end up making while running their first restaurant.
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