Catering is the most common business start-up, but 80% of independent restaurants fail within the first three years. This post shares some top tips for success in the hospitality industry...
It's one of those industries that looks so simple... you can often live in a beautiful location. You can just work lunch and evenings and have a lie-in every morning. You can serve people amazing food, for which they will be eternally grateful - and will, of course, be back for more the very next evening.
Please remove rose-tinted spectacles now...
Catering is one of the toughest industries there is, with some of the longest hours and the most thankless tasks. Even those who excel at catering, such as the Master Chefs in the UK find it difficult to find a life-work balance that suits everyone.
So what tips can we give you for success?
- Treat your restaurant like a business. You aren't entertaining friends and you can't afford to give away free meals and drinks to people just because you know them. You have to make money.
- Get a great front of house manager as soon as you can afford to. They can up-sell wine, desserts, extra drinks and, if they know what they're doing and are trained well, they should more than cover the cost of their wage. They will also relate to your guests and make them feel welcome, so they're happy to return.
- Try out the competition. Know what you're up against, as there are probably tens of restaurants in your local area that people can choose from. Why would they choose you? Is your food any good? (Have you ever eaten it?)
- Serve great food - give people a reason to come back. Don't scrimp and save on your chef - they can make or break your restaurant and a good one will save you a fortune in stock.
- Create a great environment, where people feel relaxed and comfortable. That way. they're likely to linger and stay for that extra drink or dessert.
| Next > |
|---|