What you may think is the perfect restaurant spot in the middle of a bustling street may not be as advantageous as you think it is. When choosing the perfect location, it is advisable to make the decision with an open mind as well as a thorough understanding of the area.
No matter how fantastic your food may be, there’s no denying that where your restaurant is located is crucial, especially during the first few years. Read on for five things you should know about selecting a restaurant location!
Visibility is essential
While high foot and car traffic is ideal, what’s important is your restaurant remains visible to the crowd. Think of it as publicity – if people see your restaurant often, they may eventually think about stopping by for a meal. This means to make sure the area is not sandwiched between two bigger stores, or tucked away in a corner. Try to gauge who the passers-by are – are they office workers or families on an outing, and are they the people who will be interested in what you are selling?
Size matters
While a huge space may not be necessary, the best bet is to opt for more space than needed. Although the rent may be higher, it’s easier to work with more space than less. Plus, it will make for a more comfortable dining experience for your customers. However, it is essential to also work within your budget.
Public perception
If your eatery is located in an area that has seen more restaurants fail than succeed, the crowd may associate the spot with just that. Either that or the spot is truly not a good place for a restaurant. That said, it is best to find out if location played a part in how previous establishments fared.
Safety First
Make sure that your building has the necessary safety measures, such as smoke detectors, anti-slip mats, etc. These can be expensive, but they’re absolutely worth your while. Avoid paying exorbitant fines or face injured customers just because you failed to do your due diligence. Walk a local code enforcement officer through your building first before officially opening your restaurant to the public.
Find out who your neighbours are
If the area is already saturated with similar eateries struggling to stay afloat, then it may be a good sign to start considering alternative locations. A general rule of thumb is to find a place that’s near your suppliers; the cost of transporting restaurant and hotel supplies can rack up pretty quickly if you’re not too careful.