Starting a restaurant from scratch is a little bit like starting a meal from scratch in your commercial kitchen. You start with the raw materials of sufficient capital, delicious recipes, a solid location, and a top-notch team, and you transform all the elements into a successful final product. As you enter the planning stages of opening a restaurant, there’s a lot to think about. Here are several questions to reflect on as you begin your professional adventure.
Do I have capital investors or a small business loan?
Starting a restaurant is an expensive proposition. From inventory and commercial kitchen equipment to menus, wages, and electricity, the costs of a restaurant quickly add up. To combat the negative profit you may see in the first few weeks or months, you’ll need capital investors or a small business loan to provide the initial seed money for getting a thriving restaurant off the ground.
Is there a demand for my product?
Creating demand before opening is a time-tested way to build up a customer base before you open your doors. Consider running a few pop-up events to introduce your brand and offerings, especially if you can partner with other, more established eateries. Building a strong social media presence can also help spread the word about your restaurant.
What will my monthly overhead costs be?
Restaurants live or die based on the profit margins they’re able to make. A slow month can decimate a restaurant’s financials and quickly turn it from profitable to unsustainable.
Restaurants that survive
are able to use good inventory practices to make quality meals that customers demand. They do this at a price point that allows for a profit which can then be reinvested back into salaries, inventory, and maintenance.
Do I have the right commercial kitchen equipment?
Deciding on commercial kitchen equipment is an important investment. Since it’s
one of the most expensive parts of opening a restaurant, it’s a decision that needs to be carefully considered. There are a huge number of equipment manufacturers, and it can be quite a task to sort through the many equipment models offered by each brand. If you’re setting up your commercial kitchen and looking for a few quick tips for
buying new kitchen equipment, we’ve got you covered. Or, if you’re planning on
buying used commercial kitchen equipment, we’ve also written a guide for that. When purchasing, keep future repairs in mind, both from a cost and parts availability stand point.
Whether you buy new or used, regular planned maintenance is a good way to extend the life of your equipment and address any issues before they spiral out of control. Commercial restaurant equipment needs to be regularly maintained in order to stand up to spills, temperature fluctuations, and constant use in a busy kitchen. Once you procure a piece of equipment,
establish a relationship with a local restaurant equipment service company.
Initially, they can inspect a new or used unit to verify a baseline on its function—often called a Performance Check. Next, schedule regular maintenance checks to assess the health of each unit. When issues are addressed early, and worn-out parts are replaced, you’re more likely to see years of solid performance from your equipment.
Need Some Guidance As You’re Opening Your Restaurant?
Getting a commercial kitchen up and running is a huge feat that requires careful planning and coordination. The heart of any restaurant kitchen is its equipment. By making wise purchasing decisions, you’ll outfit your kitchen with the tools necessary to operate smoothly. Once your equipment is in place, reach out to ATECH for
a planned maintenance quote. We’re an authorized service agent for over 120 manufacturers. We’re also proud of
our written 90-day parts and labor warranty, backed by our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Let us show you why
so many Tennessee businesses trust ATECH
for commercial equipment repair.
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