Setting up a restaurant business in 2025 is a little different from even ten years ago. As time passes, the strategies that work change, and you need to know them if you’re planning to get into this industry.
But what should you be doing exactly? Let’s take a look.
Follow The Market
While dreaming big is great, you want to ensure you’re also following the market. What people want from the restaurants they go to today is a little different from times gone by.
If you’re really setting up something brand new, you’ll want to lean into health trends that interest people right now. For instance, you could think about selling macro bowls for wellness or providing corporate lunches for teambuilding. It’s up to you really: just make sure it’s sufficiently niche for your vertical.
Make The Business Plan Solid
The restaurant industry is one of the hardest and most challenging to get into, so your business plan also has to be up to scratch in 2025. If you can get it right, the profits are there to be taken, but you need the right ideas.
Therefore, make sure you have a business plan with no fluff. Check things like your menu samples and three-year financials to ensure everything is in order. You want to be aiming for around $250k in the first year, and then more money after that. Restaurants can scale quickly, so ensure you include this in your plan, too.
Get Funding
Make sure you also have the proper funding to set up your restaurant. This is the step that a lot of new business founders get stuck in. They think they can do it all from savings, and then get a rude awakening when they find they can’t.
If you can get lending that only attaches itself to your business, that’s even better. You don’t want to be risking your home just to pay off business loans.
Pick Established Suppliers
Whether you’re ordering commercial restaurant tables or pickled vegetables for your starters, your suppliers matter a lot. These are the companies that will essentially provide the raw materials for your restaurant to function.
Check these suppliers are the people who have been successful in your business or industry so far. Make sure they know what they’re talking about and how to deliver on time. If you can arrange to have backups during busy periods, that’s also a good idea as it will protect you long-term.
Design Your Space For Instagram
As strange as it might sound, you also want to design your space for Instagram. Putting this objective front and center will help turn your new establishment into a marketable space immediately. People will want to share what it looks like with their friends on social media.
Skip Red Tape
Lastly, look for ways to skip red tape in your area. If necessary, get a third-party company to handle all this for you. Often, the extra expense is worth it in terms of time and hassle saved.
