Tips for a Successful New Restaurant Launch

Congratulations to the entrepreneurs and chefs who take that risk daily!

About 60% of new restaurants fail within their first year, and 80% fail within their first five years. 

Those numbers are frightening, but let’s not forget about the remaining 20%. This represents the restaurant businesses that go on to find long-term success.

We analyzed what makes restaurants successful for the long term and discovered seven tips that are common.

1. Define a strong concept and hire a great chef

Decide what your restaurant will serve and who your target customers are. Whether it’s pizza, tacos, or Asian fusion, choose a concept and stick to it. This could very well be what your restaurant is known for, so choose wisely!

Then, make sure you hire a rock star chef with many years of experience. Customers will often flock to a restaurant because they hear of a chef with a reputation for preparing unique and tasty creations.

2. Save money for the off-season slump

It is important to save enough funds to keep your restaurant in business during a lull in traffic. Generally, new restaurant owners take eight to nine months before they break even. Make sure you save enough money until that period is over. Once you have broken even, it’s still a good idea to have reserves stored up in case of an unexpected crisis.

3. Create an eye-catching, memorable logo

Your logo represents your business. Make sure it is unique and dynamic enough to be used on street signs, ads, billboards, newspapers, business cards, websites, menus, and anywhere else you will market your restaurant. Try to avoid cliché images such as a chef’s hat, dishes, and silverware.

4. Design an appealing menu

Just like your logo, this is a tool for drawing customers in and can say a lot about your business. Sit at your table with a menu and make it comfortable to hold and read.  It shouldn’t be too big or too small.

Pro Tip: Nobody likes a sticky menu! Make sure your menu is attractive, easy to read, and free of crumbs or stickiness for guests when they arrive.

5. Develop a user-friendly website for your restaurant

Your customers will go to your website to book a table and review menus, so make sure it is simple, clean, and easy to navigate. Don’t forget to include important information like your contact phone and email, operating hours, reservation details, menus, and more.

Build a website yourself with a DIY website builder, or setup an online food ordering system with Total Touch Web Ordering to make it easy for customers to order and enjoy your food! An online ordering system serves multiple functions:

• Gives your restaurant an all-in-one website presence.
• Makes it easy for your customers to order in-house and online.
• Accepts orders from customers from their desktop computer, tablet, or mobile device.
• Reduces order entry errors and eliminates uncomfortable language barriers.
  

6. Choose the Restaurant POS and Management Solution that’s right for you

At Total Touch, we believe the best restaurant POS software is the one you actually use.

Our team has used server-based and cloud-based POS solutions and understand the risks, rewards, and potential issues. Ask yourself:

• What if the internet goes down during a busy service?
• How will you cash out customers?
• Is the equipment that comes with the POS system robust and reliable?

Our recommendation is a hybrid restaurant management solution that will process customer payments, print receipts, track sales transactions, and manage your entire bar and restaurant business when the internet is up or down.

A comprehensive POS solution should include everything you need to improve efficiency and profitability in your bar, restaurant, or nightclub. Even better, it should work with your current merchant services provider or help you save money when you switch to an integrated credit card processing provider.

7. Know Your Customers

For many future customers, life is completely different now. Many families and diners made big changes in how they work, dine out, and what they do with their spare time.

Take the time to deeply understand your local market and customers’ needs and wants. This will help you plan your marketing efforts and make helpful, informed changes to your restaurant throughout the year.

You can do this. Total Touch POS has your back.

Opening a new restaurant is a big undertaking. By following these seven tips, you can ensure that your restaurant launch is successful. Research your local market, create a unique concept, focus on customer service and satisfaction, develop an effective marketing strategy, set achievable goals, stay organized and motivated, and seek out expert advice.

With the right approach and dedication to an exceptional dining expereince, you can make sure your restaurant launch is a success!