Create a Successful Restaurant by Considering these Issues The restaurant business is a tough business. So if you are contemplating owning a restaurant then beware. New restaurants open their doors every day, but most of them go out of business before the second year rolls around. There are great deal of competing restaurants out there causing the market to be flooded. If you understand all of this, but still want to open a restaurant then read on. Location should play an integral role in your restaurant palnning. Strive to find an area that will have a lot of pedestrian and automobile traffic. Verify, however, that there aren't a group of similar restaurants jammed in this area. Chain restaurants tend to have extensive advertising budgets and can overshadow your marketing efforts. Take time to consider any location, especially if it has another restaurant that is similar to yours in food, price,and other qualities. PUt your customer service standards as a top priority. You pay for what you get. Don't be cheap when it comes to service. Incentives for staff members work well such as gathering tips to increase everyone's pay. This helps promote staff satisfaction and enjoyment. If you have any staff members that are not willing to share their tips, then don't hire them. Especially in the beginning when funds are low, efficiency will either make or break your new venture. Wasted food, condiments, and staff time really eat into any potential profits and anyone with any experience in the restaurant business knows that profit margins are small in the best of times. Keep track of every statistic you can and be sure to follow up on any negative trends immediately. Customers get a certain expectation of your restaurant food, service, and general experience. Make sure to provide them with a consistent, enjoyable experience so they will return many times in the future. To accomplish this, you need to focus on the details of training, food ingredients, and food preparation. If you are trying out a different quality of ingredients, do it in a special or new dish. Don't mess with the old, trusted entrees that customers are used to. Test the new ingredients and if they are success you can add the new dish to your regular menu. If you are serious about opening up your own restaurant, you had better have a passion for the business. The long hours and cutthroat competition will take its toll on you. If this is just an investment, then reconsider going with stocks or mutual funds. They cause far fewer headaches. It is imperative that you set your restaurant apart from the pack. Therefore, you need to present unique food, service and overall experience. HOw can you do this? New menu items are a common theme in new restaurants, but a unique and cutting edge atmosphere will most often yield better results. Take the plunge with exciting menu options that will tantilize the customer. People love to be the first to try something unique and tell everyone about it. Earning a profit in the restaurant business can be as hard as finding a needle in a hay stack. However, it can be accomplished. Be very mindful of each dollar you spend or waste on frivolous things. If you find a great location for your restaurant and have an effective staff you will be well on your way to a successful restaurant. Who knows, you might be the owner of the next hottest restaurant in town.