How to Open a Restaurant

Learning in Real Time

with Philstar.com

Six Steps to Open a Restaurant

• Determine your Budget• Decide on your Location• Define your Target Market• Prepare your Menu• File for Government Permits• Opening Day

Determine your Budget

• Match the kind of restaurant with your budget– A million can give you a kiosk, but not a

restaurant in a mall– A million may be enough for a stand-

alone restaurant, in a location where the rent is not too high

Decide on your Location

• - Location will determine what your target market will be

• - Get a traffic count: cars, people

Define your Target Market

• Consider the market segments• Price points will determine which

segments of the market will be your client

Making your Business Plan

• Include your Target Market• Include your Financials– Investments– Food Costs• Normal food cost is 35% to 50%• From the gross margin, remove rent,

utilities, salaries, association dues, etc.

Prepare your Menu

• Develop a theme (determine your parameters)– Gives you limitations to what cuisine

you can serve

• Center on the theme– Lets the market know what to expect

• Develop banner products– Gives your diners something to talk

about

Prepare your Menu

• Pricing– Price according to the market you are

serving– Canvass nearby restaurants and check

their prices

File for Permits

• Inspect the premises• Usual required permits–Mechanical Permit– Sanitary Permit– Electrical Permit– Building Permit– Permit to Operate• Plans

Opening Day

• Train the employees• Develop your Marketing Plan– Signages: A business with no sign is a

sign of no business– Develop your marketing strategies

Tips

• Watch out for trends, and look for what has the staying power

• Like food, like eating, and enjoy eating

Ms. Chit JuanMs. Juan founded Figaro Coffee Company in 1993. While at its helm, she started from a single store in Glorietta to about 70 stores including 2 in China, one in Dubai and one in Hong Kong.In 2008, she left Figaro and founded ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle, a concept store in Serendra. Today she concentrates on ECHOfarms sustainable harvests, growing organic vegetables alongside coffee, and Le Bistro Vert, serving sustainable foods and Le Bistro sustainable coffees.She is founding trustee and president of the Philippine Coffee Board since 2002, and has dedicated most of her time to its mission of achieving self-sufficiency in coffee production by helping farmers live a better life through the crop.Ms. Juan has also authored three books on coffee: “Kape” in 2002, “Barako: The Big Bean” in 2005, and “Introduction to Coffee” in 2007.

Enderun CollegesEnderun is a four-year undergraduate college

that offers a full range of bachelor's degree and non-degree courses in the fields of

international hospitality management, business administration, and entrepreneurship.