Quick service restaurants are a popular dining option for everyone, and why not? Not only are they extremely convenient, but they provide delicious meals for an affordable price.
Quick service restaurants are a popular dining option for everyone, and why not? Not only are they extremely convenient, but they provide delicious meals at an affordable price. If you're in the process of getting your very own fast and fabulous eatery off the ground, you're probably wondering what you can do to stand apart from the crowd and achieve success. Use these four tips to make your restaurant the best it can be.
1. Start small and slow
You've undoubtedly heard the saying "Slow and steady wins the race." This age-old piece of advice definitely applies to the world of quick-service restaurants, explained the U.S. Small Business Administration. Though you might be tempted to purchase a number of locations and get your vision out there, the source suggested finding one location to start with and building your dream from there.
QSR magazine reported that starting small allows you to expand slowly and deliberately, which is essential for creating a popular brand. If you're trying to hard to expand before you're ready, chances are you'll end up cutting corners or using inefficient methods of growth that will eventually take a toll.
2. Have a plan
Would you go on a road trip without a map? Of course not! So don't embark on your quick-service dining journey without a game plan. The SBA explained that while this doesn't have to be a formal document, you should at least jot down some of your goals. Maybe you want to create a quick-service dining spot that focuses on gourmet Mexican cuisine, starting with one location and then expanding throughout the country.
Highlight the elements of this plan that are most important to you, and make a note about features of your plan you could be flexible on. Not only will you have something to refer to when you're ready to take the next step, but you'll have a clear-cut vision to show potential investors and employees.
3. Build an outstanding staff
Strong workers are important to every type of business, and they are absolutely essential to the restaurant industry. QSR magazine suggested starting your team by hiring the general manager. Look for someone with previous quick-service experience that will be able to help you hire other employees, and use their industry knowledge to secure the best staff possible. While you might be eager to fill open positions quickly, the source noted that you should take your time looking for people with just the right qualities.
According to QSR, hiring hourly quick-service employees should be less about similar experience or food knowledge and more about their personality and innate abilities. While it's fairly simple to teach people how to operate the milkshake machine or craft the perfect sandwich, it's difficult to instruct people how to be hospitable or customer-service oriented when these abilities don't come naturally to them. Additionally, it's important to treat your staff well to promote a positive workplace culture and encourage hard work. Paying competitive wages and maintaining a positive environment will keep your team happy, and this happiness will surely transfer to your customers.
"Make sure you have a top notch POS system that understands the needs of quick-service establishments, which are often very different from fine dining eateries."
4. Quality is key
Just because your institution is focused on fast and affordable doesn't mean you should be slacking on quality. Providing guests with a high standard will set you apart from the competition and have them coming back for more. This applies not only to your ingredients, but to your restaurant's equipment as well. Make sure you have a top notch POS system that understands the needs of quick-service establishments, which are often very different from fine dining eateries.
Programs such as Maitre'D provide you with quick service software that is essential for the success of your business. With features like food preparation forecasting, mobile POS solutions and automatic meal deal detection, Maitre'D eliminates redundancy and increases efficiency in your restaurant.
Additionally, make sure you're doing regular quality checks for cleanliness. The Houston Chronicle noted that you should be vigilant about things like food temperature, condition of storage facilities and employee hygiene, since all of these elements are necessary for a healthy, safe and successful institution.
