You’ve chosen a great location, determined your target market, and have excellent recipes that would satisfy any appetite. However, these are only part of what makes a great restaurant — without having the tools and systems in place to get an edge on your competition and keep customers coming back, your new restaurant may fail. Here are five things every restaurant should have in place before opening.
1. An efficient POS System
The right point of sale system will help simplify sales, day to day operations, and the flow of your restaurant. However, choosing an inefficient system can lead to errors, lost time and money, and tons of hassles. Look for a system that will not only track sales but inventory, tips, and costs as well.
2. A solid menu
Have you ever been to a restaurant that either has an overwhelming menu or one that’s lacklustre either in design or offerings? To avoid this, work on building a great menu before your restaurant opens and be open to changing it as you see what customers like after you launch. Rather than opting for a huge menu, create a carefully curated one with outstanding dishes, complimentary sides and drinks, and food that sets itself apart from other eateries in the area. If you want to add more variety, you can always have a rotating list of seasonal dishes and daily or weekly specials.
3. Air curtains
Air curtains, also known as air doors, are essential for preventing airborne contamination and ensuring the cleanliness of your restaurant. Along with helping to keep your kitchen and dining areas sanitary, air curtains ward off dust, insects, and can help maintain an optimal temperature in your establishment.
4. An effective website
A restaurant without a website is missing out on the chance to attract new customers that are browsing online. Your website should set the tone for what diners can expect once they visit, give details about your menu, and help with local SEO. To boost your marketing efforts and encourage customer loyalty, put a newsletter sign-up on your website.
5. An impeccable cleaning schedule
Cleanliness isn’t just important for your restaurant’s reputation and licensing; it’s also important for workflow. A cluttered and messy restaurant isn’t conducive to running an efficient operation, so establish a good cleaning schedule for the entire restaurant and kitchen early on.
These things are often overlooked, but they can make or break a new eatery. It can be a challenge to thrive in the restaurant business, but by including these five elements in your restaurant, you’ll greatly improve your chances of succeeding.
Do you have any other ideas of things every restaurant should have? Let us know in the comments below.
Dixie is a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, women’s interests, and education. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters who are the inspiration for her writing.
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