Opening a restaurant is a life-changing endeavour since you’re going to provide a service to many people. It shouldn’t be just food for the stomach, but also for the soul. So, before you open a restaurant, you should plan things thoroughly. It’s not just about the business plan, but also about every step of the way.
One of the things you should thoroughly think through is the quality of work that each professional you hire can provide. As you know, as you move forward, you need to hire some professionals to help you achieve the perfect restaurant you have in mind. In this article, we’ll list all possible professionals who can help you build your restaurant.
1. Restaurant Consultant
Hiring a restaurant consultant is a great move, especially if this is your first restaurant. Even if you have worked in a restaurant before, it’s not the same as owning one. A restaurant consultant can help with refining the business plan to assist in training the staff.
Of course, it’s not easy to hire a restaurant consultant. You need to look for someone with a good track record, who owns successful restaurants and knows how to work on a budget.
2. Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents specialising in commercial properties, specifically cafes and restaurants are another expert you should look into. Additionally, they should be aware of the local market, and know a place where there’s high foot traffic, and near school and other businesses.
Besides, local real estate agents are aware of the zoning regulations and other business requirements, so they can inform and help you with the processing.
3. Architect and Interior Designer
Have you noticed how every restaurant franchise or not, is becoming more aesthetically pleasing? And since you’re diving into this kind of business, the interior design and architecture of your restaurant should also be modern yet timeless.
Of course, if you’re thinking long term, you shouldn’t rely on the trend; instead, hire the experts to guide you in choosing the right pieces to visually present your brand.
4. Executive Chef
Of course, the main part of a restaurant is the food. So, hiring an executive chef can be the toughest decision you should make. However, if you’re going to be the executive chef of your restaurant, then you should skip this one.
On the other hand, when looking for an executive chef, you should base on their experience dealing with many customers, and the kind of dishes they usually make. Of course, their specialisation should fit with your brand.
Don’t forget to taste their dishes, as it’s the biggest part of the decision-making process.
5. Marketing Specialist
As a new restaurant, it can be hard to target possible customers. This is when a marketing specialist enters. They can help with navigating your online presence as a brand, including on social media platforms and websites.
In terms of crafting campaigns, they can significantly impact your brand, especially if the branding is consistent in all forms. So, once your restaurant is established, the marketing specialist can base all campaigns on the aesthetic of your restaurant. Once the target customers see a campaign, they’ll be reminded of your brand.
6. Financial Advisor or Accountant
Opening a restaurant requires a lot of money, so you should have a realistic budget to achieve your dream. When doing so, you can hire an accountant or financial advisor. It may seem costly since you’re going to hire another expert, but you’ll see how you’ll save a lot in the long run.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to avail of business insurance, so that you have a financial safety net when you encounter unexpected situations.
7. Lawyer (Specialising in Hospitality Law)
A legal counsel is essential in every business. In your case, hiring a lawyer specialising in hospitality law is recommended. It may seem like opening a restaurant is easy, but it’s complicated. Hiring a lawyer in advance can help you deal with the legal requirements and problems you may encounter along the way.
For instance, if someone complains about being burned due to a very hot dish they’ve consumed from your restaurant, it may escalate into a lawsuit, so it’s best to have counsel at your side.
8. General Contractor
Your dreams may not come in reality without the right contractor. Whether you’re renovating or building the restaurant from scratch, you should look for a reliable general contractor that can help you bring your plans to life.
Of course, when hiring a contractor, you should look at their past projects, preferably those with enough experience with building restaurants.
9. Human Resources (HR) Specialist
Aside from the kitchen staff that the executive chef decides on, you also need to hire other staff, so you should look for a human resources specialist or HR. Aside from hiring other staff, HR also manages the payroll, implements the labour law, and creates job descriptions for the hiring.
10. Technology Consultant
The modern restaurant now uses a digitalised way of making reservations and managing the POS or point-of-sales. And to be able to stay in the competition, you should have a reliable system that’s not just efficient, but also safe. Since there are online payments and information gathered in your system, customers should be at peace with sharing their information with you. This is why you should hire a professional technology consultant or IT to manage the online system for you.
Final Thoughts
Hiring experts to handle your restaurant can be a daunting task, but it’s one of the things you should do to become a successful restaurant owner. If you want to share your experience with the hiring process, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
