Chef Damon and his team offer hands-on consulting at your location. We strive to deliver real, profitable solutions that cover everything from concept to launch to everyday operations. Through evaluation, planning, training, and market assessment, Chef Damon and his team will give you and your restaurant five-star culinary and business guidance regarding your restaurant. We will help you think through your options and develop short and long term plans that will offer your restaurant sustainable growth.
We have the knowledge, experience, skills, and passion to quickly and efficiently deliver the solutions that are right for your restaurant. Your goal is to have a successful, profitable, and efficient business that will benefit the community, your investors, and yourself over the long term. Let us help you achieve that goal. Call or email Chef Damon today, and talk to him about your consulting needs for your new business.
Chef Damon Sheppard FCSI
404.246.8483 Phone
404.963.0885 Fax
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Many people dream of opening their own restaurant. Here is a step by step guide to get you started.
Here's How:
Decide on a Restaurant Concept
The first step in opening a new restaurant is deciding what type of restaurant it is going to be. Are you looking at opening a high-end fine dining restaurant? A casual diner? Do you have a specific type of cuisine you plan to serve, such as Italian, French or Indian?
Select a Restaurant Location
Location, location, location. It can make or break a restaurant. Before you run and sign a lease for your restaurant location, do your homework. Is the restaurant location in a busy area, with plenty of foot traffic? If not, is there enough parking? Have ten other restaurants come and gone in the same spot?
Choose a Restaurant Name
Probably the most fun step in opening a new restaurant. Select a restaurant name that means something. It can be a reflection of your theme or location.
Write a Restaurant Menu
A well-written restaurant menu should be both descriptive easy to read and have a clear, uncluttered layout. A few things to avoid on a restaurant menu include clip art and too many disclaimers.
Write a Restaurant Business Plan
There are two important reasons you need a restaurant business plan. 1. It helps you see big fat problems in your restaurant plan, like not a big enough population base or a bad location. And 2. No bank in their right mind will finance you without one.
Find Financing
This is the step that stops most people from actually opening their own restaurant. Financing. Although it is increasingly harder to get financing for a restaurant, it is not impossible.
Apply for Licenses and Permits Many licenses and permits take several weeks, even months to be approved. So as soon as you know you are good to go with your financing, you should start filling the paperwork.
Design the Restaurant
A large empty space quickly fills up when you start adding commercial kitchens, walk-in refrigerators, a bar, rest rooms and waiting area. The design of a restaurant should be a balance between aesthetics and seating capacity, always keeping practicality in mind.
Stock you Restaurant
Once you have your restaurant design down, you can start purchasing commercial kitchen equipment and furniture for your dining room and other areas in the front of the house.
Hire Restaurant Staff
As you get closer to opening day you need to begin hiring for both the kitchen and floor. Kitchen staff, wait staff and bartenders are all integral parts of any restaurant, and you want to hire the perfect person for each position.
Get the Word Out About Your New Restaurant
Advertising is a must for most new restaurants. Don’t overlook the power of a good website for your restaurant. Use social media sites, like Twitter, MySpace and FaceBook, to spread the word about your new place.
