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Restaurant Startup & Growth

There no denying it, opening a new restaurant whether it’s your first or fortieth entails risk, usually lots of it. It’s estimated that of the half million or so restaurants in the U.S. around 10 to 15 percent are forced to close each year. Most of these failures are restaurants that have been open fewer than 3 years.

It takes lots of planning, capital, hard work, perseverance, and a little luck doesn’t hurt either, to launch a new restaurant that hits the mark and becomes a financial success.

There are many factors that can increase a new restaurant’s chances for success in the areas of planning, location, market analysis, concept, menu, financial feasibility, staffing, operating systems and more. We are focused on bring content in a variety of formats to these areas with the objective of providing you with resources that will enhance your ability to better plan the opening process, evaluate the financial feasibility, make more informed decisions and go into the development process with tools to stay organized and on track with your plan.

The Startup & Growth section is our newest addition to the Toolkit. Please give us your thoughts and ideas of what other materials would be useful in this area and how we can make it better.

How to Create a Winning Restaurant Business Plan

Many RO.com members site that having a sound business plan was the single most important ingredient in making their new business a reality. During the startup phase, your business plan will have a direct bearing on your ability to get a loan, obtain investors and even secure a lease. Learn how to prepare an impactful restaurant business plan. . . . more >>

Restaurant Failure Rates Recounted: Where Do They Get Those Numbers?
by G. Sidney

Failure and attrition is a fact of life in business. Painting an unrealistic picture of restaurant startups may build drama on television (NBC's "The Restaurant"), but it does little to support the hopes and dreams of those wanting to enter and improve the restaurant landscape. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: New Restaurant Opening Manual

While every new restaurant opening has it's unique requirements, this 50 page manual can be a useful guide to anticipate, organize and plan the primary activities that every new restaurant must execute well to have a successful opening. Includes weekly checklists, forms, schedules for procuring products, services, marketing activities, employee hiring, training & more. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Restaurant Business Plan Template

Includes 2013 Industry Analysis A professional, well-conceived restaurant business plan is absolutely essential for an independent restaurant venture to obtain funding and have any real chance for success. Our business plan templates will provide you with the tools to develop & communicate your plan in a professional, compelling format that will enhance your chances of securing capital and making your plan a reality. . . . more >>

Legal Aspects of Using Other People's Money
by David T. Denney, Esq.

When a marriage between "Business Savvy" and "Other People's Money" works, it has all the romance of a love story, with all parties benefiting financially. That said, there are significant legal pitfalls to avoid, especially when considering private investors to finance your startup. . . . more >>

10 Common Restaurant Startup Mistakes (and how to avoid them)

In any new business venture good decision-making is vital. Opening a new restaurant requires so many decisions that it's not hard to make some bloopers along the way. The key is not totally missing the mark on the really important issues that can make or break your chances for success. Here are 10 of the most common & potentially fatal missteps new owners make and what you can do to avoid making them. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Restaurant Startup Checklist

Opening a restaurant means dealing with a myriad of details and activities. Missing a critical step or activity can mean delays, cost overruns or worse. Use this 300+ point checklist from 12 months out to opening day to better plan and manage the process. . . . more >>

How to Steer Around the Legal, Marketing and Operational Challenges of Modern Mobile Foodservice
by Amelia Levin

With the mobile food truck craze sweeping the nation, wannabe restaurateurs and even longtime operators are looking to expand beyond the confines of the brick-and-mortar restaurant. This article examines a number of "rules of the road" to consider before getting behind the wheel. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Pizza Restaurant Business Plan Financial Model

This series of Excel worksheets specifically designed for pizza delivery & take-out restaurants will give you a complete and detailed tool to quickly consider the essential elements that impact the financial feasibility of a proposed restaurant and present it in your business plan in a straightforward, understandable and impactful format. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Restaurant Business Plan Financial Models

To the majority of potential lenders and investors, the financial section will be the most important part of your business plan. Even if the other sections of your plan are impeccable, the financials will still make or break your presentation. Use this series of Excel worksheets to prepare a comprehensive, professional and convincing financial section for your business plan. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Restaurant Startup & Feasibility Model (Tableservice version)

Whether you're planning to open your first restaurant or add another location, analyzing the financial feasibility of the project is essential. These series of linked spreadsheets have been refined over several years on a wide variety and number of actual restaurant ventures and formal restaurant business plans. . . . more >>

Are You Cut Out for the Restaurant Business?
by Jim Laube and Gary S. Worden

To the uninitiated, operating a restaurant can seem deceptively simple. Couple that with the fact that anyone with enough capital can open a restaurant and you've got the potential for restaurant dreams to quickly turn into financial nightmares. Two industry veterans offer a frank discussion on the risks, rewards, frustrations and challenges most independent operators face. Required reading for anyone serious about opening a restaurant. . . . more >>

What to Consider BEFORE Going From One to Two Restaurants
by Jay Goldstein

Now that you have one successful restaurant you may be contemplating #2. Before you jump in with both feet, there are several key principals required for successful growth. Learn what you need to consider, how to be sure you're ready, and who can help you . . . more >>

How to Reduce the Risk of Opening a New Restaurant

Understanding and considering this one ratio may be the key to keeping you from making an unwise startup decision. Learn how chain operators use this ratio to identify marginal locations and reduce the risk of failure. . . . more >>

How to Design the Seating Capacity of a Restaurant Dining Room
by Chris Tripoli

How do you configure a new dining room? One of the industry's top startup consultants shows how to make the most of what you have and avoid making any major mistakes. . . . more >>

WEBCAST: How to Buy Good Used Restaurant Equipment on eBay & Save Thousands

Veteran restaurateur Michael Passalacqua realized his budget was seriously tight during the development of his new restaurant. He found over $40,000 of savings by purchasing most of his equipment on eBay. Michael shows what he learned to get good, quality equipment at a great price and how you can too. . . . more >>

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