You wondered what a continental food menu was? Every country has its own cuisine. French eat french food, Italians eat Italian food, and Indians eat Indian food, etc. So what exactly is continental food? It’s good to begin by understanding it’s European origins. In Europe people eat smaller portions than we do here in the U.S. Visitors from other countries are amazed at the quantity of food they receive when they order an entree at a restaurant. A continental menu refers to lighter European food fare. So, if you are hungry skip the continental fare and search for something substantial ..read more

With the right advice and concept, familiarize yourself with what the final product should look like.A restaurant business plan is the foundation when starting a new restaurant, whether you're opening a franchise or a small family-owned restaurant. Your business plan will act as a roadmap for starting your restaurant: it can help you get loans from financial institutions, and it will be a point of reference when forecasting sales. In this article, we'll teach you all of the essential information to include in your restaurant business plan as well as walk you through the process of writing a r ..read more

Hire a staff. The staff you employ in your restaurant can make the difference between whether or not your restaurant takes off or simply tanks. One of the biggest challenges businesses in all industries face is a lack of qualified labor. As the food-service industry in general continues to grow and thrive, the demand for workers in an already-diminished labor pool is also increasing. Finding qualified workers and rising labor costs are two key concerns for food-service business owners. Aim for employees that are knowledgeable about their position, have a good attitude and want to please as th ..read more

Though we don't think of food service as heavily regulated an industry as something like medical services or public utilities, the reality is that many aspects of your operation are strictly regulated and subject to inspection. Fail to meet regulations, and you could be subject to fines or get shut down by authorities. And if the violations involve tainted food, you could be responsible for your patrons' illnesses and even death. Issues such as sanitation and fire safety are critical. You must provide a safe environment in which your employees can work and your guests can dine, follow the law ..read more

The location is an essential factor to consider while discussing how to start a restaurant business, as it can determine the success of your restaurant. Depending on how much money you have to invest in your food-service business and the particular type of business you choose, you can spend anywhere between $70,000 and $1.5 million on a facility.It makes sense to take your time, as you’re looking for the right space. You might also want to do some research to find out of there are any startup incubator spaces for restaurants that you can join to keep initial costs low and that might come with ..read more

Develop a concept for your restaurant. This is the first step in building a restaurant since it can determine how much start-up money you need as well as what type of location will serve you best. Shifting demographics and changing lifestyles are driving the surge in food-service businesses. If you’ve wanted to start a restaurant for years, it might be time to sit down and draw up a plan to open your own business.  Secure funding to build and start your restaurant. Once you have the concept or theme of your restaurant determined, you can develop a budget for start-up costs. Though the futur ..read more

Evaluate All Restaurant Costs Involved Restaurant costs are a significant part of running a restaurant and need to be evaluated and planned carefully. Below are the significant costs involved in starting a restaurant business: Food Costs- Food cost is the cost of all the raw materials used in preparing a dish. Ideally, the food cost should be around 30-40% of your menu price.  You’re in the business of making food, but if your food costs are out of line you’ll end up losing money. Make sure you keep track of your inventory, prepare food well, avoid waste, and keep prices competitive. Ove ..read more

Funding Your Business How much money you need to start depends on the type of business, the facility, how much equipment you need, whether you buy new or used, your inventory, marketing, and necessary operating capital. Most aspiring restaurateurs’ dreams never see the light due to lack of funds, and this is one of the most important things to consider when you think of opening a restaurant business.  Self-funding – If you have enough money in the bank, then congrats, you have crossed the first hurdle of opening a restaurant. It is also a good idea to open a restaurant in partnerships, as i ..read more

The first thing to consider while starting a restaurant business is deciding the idea. Restaurants are classified into three primary categories: quick-service, midscale and upscale. Quick-service restaurants are also known as fast-food restaurants. These establishments offer limited menus of items that are prepared quickly and sold for a relatively low price. In addition to very casual dining areas, they typically offer drive-thru windows and take-out service. You need to keep many things in mind before deciding on a concept, the major one being the amount of capital you have for investment ..read more

Fast food is a type of mass-produced food designed for commercial resale and with a strong priority placed on "speed of service" versus other relevant factors involved in culinary science a food that is easily and quickly prepared, however, it refers mainly to the food that is prepared from precooked or preheated ingredients then packed and sold in stores or restaurants. In 1951 the word “Fast food” was first introduced in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Junk or fast foods taste good and are rich in calories but they are of a very low nutritional value, Fast foods are usually rich in suga ..read more