Starting a New Family Restaurant

A cafe can make a great family business.

A family restaurant can help to build a stronger family bond. It can also provide the family with a decent income, and allow parents to teach their children important business and life skills.



Starting this type of business takes time but, when done properly, will put the family into a better position to create a successful restaurant. Take the time to plan carefully, and things will go more smoothly than if you rush through the process.

Instructions

Creating the Business

1. Sit down with the family from the beginning, and decide what type of restaurant you want to start. Consider such restaurants as cafe's, fine dining and casual dining. Record your choice and any details that seem important at this point. Consider building size at this point.

2. Come up with a menu plan. Revamp the plan throughout the process of starting the business. Consider what your customers will want, as well as what you feel is important. Decide whether people will order every item separately, or if entire meal plans will be offered. Think about desserts and beverages at this time as well. Be sure that the menu matches the type of restaurant being considered.

3. Find a location for the restaurant. Decide whether you will go with a pre-existing building, or have one built. Figure out what updates will have to be done with a pre-existing building, and get an estimate for how much they will cost. Add this to the cost of the building when seeking a loan.

4. Create a business plan to show to the financial institute where you will be asking for the loan. Learn about the market for the business and add this information to the plan. Figure out what the potential customers will want from your restaurant. (Reference 1) Plan out each step of the business process ahead of time.

5. Get inspections for the building from the health and fire departments, as well as any other departments necessary. Name the business and obtain any licenses and permits necessary. Find out what else you will need to start the business while picking up your licenses and permits at city hall.

   Acquire the necessary insurance policy. Hire an accountant and set up a simple bookkeeping system.

6. Create a seating plan for the dining area. Decide if there will be seating at a counter, booths and/or tables with chairs. Consider the size of the tables. Plan out how the dining area will be decorated as well. Determine this by what type of restaurant you are opening.

7. Plan to set the kitchen up in the most efficient manner possible, keeping in mind how many people will be working in it at once, and whether or not the waiters will need to have regular access to the area. Be sure there is plenty of counter and cupboard or shelving space. Consider what pots and pans to use, as well as other cooking and dining needs.

References

• United States Small Business Administration: Small Business Planner