If you survey a group of restaurant owners, you can be pretty sure they’ll tell you that having a detailed business plan in place is critical when you start out. You can write it yourself, hire someone to write it for you or compromise by following a template that outlines a standardized plan for your industry. You can also find lots of advice and "how-to” articles to guide you through the process.
Executive Summary: Some articles suggest you write this last, as it’s a "big picture” summary. Describe your concept, related experience why you are the right person to make it work.
Company Description: Include history, location and style of restaurant, legal name and start-up plans. Describe your research.
Product or Service: Describe what you’re selling, and what benefits to your customers.
Market Analysis: Who are your customers, where will they come from and why will they come to you? How will you compete with established restaurants in the area or your genre? How will you promote - what advertising, what "specials”?
Business Operation or Products and Services: Include your hours, number of employees, advantages your restaurant offers customers, what resources or contacts you have that will make you competitive in the industry.
Management and Ownership: Define responsibilities. What roles do you intend to fill yourself, and which employees have what duties? Mention how the division of labour will benefit the business.
Financial Analysis: Start with a profit and loss projection, i.e. Expenses versus anticipated profit. Touch on possible risks and how you would counter them, to show you have considered this. Include cash flow tables.
There’s a good "how-to” article on business proposals with more suggestions and links at restaurants.about.com/od/finances/a/Restaurant_plan.html
www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm Offers sample business plans. "You can use it for reference in writing your own plan, or actually open it in Business Plan Pro software and edit it to match your business.” From the same site, read the many "how-to” articles and links to resources such as a "Business Plan Coaching Service” for professional help.
articles.bplans.com/writing-a-business-plan Same site as above, containing detailed instructions on writing a business proposal.
www.restaurantowner.com/public/DOWNLOAD_Restaurant_Business_ Offers a downloadable, detailed business plan template to customize, possibly other useful information. Paid membership required.
Executive Summary: Some articles suggest you write this last, as it’s a "big picture” summary. Describe your concept, related experience why you are the right person to make it work.
Company Description: Include history, location and style of restaurant, legal name and start-up plans. Describe your research.
Product or Service: Describe what you’re selling, and what benefits to your customers.
Market Analysis: Who are your customers, where will they come from and why will they come to you? How will you compete with established restaurants in the area or your genre? How will you promote - what advertising, what "specials”?
Business Operation or Products and Services: Include your hours, number of employees, advantages your restaurant offers customers, what resources or contacts you have that will make you competitive in the industry.
Management and Ownership: Define responsibilities. What roles do you intend to fill yourself, and which employees have what duties? Mention how the division of labour will benefit the business.
Financial Analysis: Start with a profit and loss projection, i.e. Expenses versus anticipated profit. Touch on possible risks and how you would counter them, to show you have considered this. Include cash flow tables.
There’s a good "how-to” article on business proposals with more suggestions and links at restaurants.about.com/od/finances/a/Restaurant_plan.html
www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm Offers sample business plans. "You can use it for reference in writing your own plan, or actually open it in Business Plan Pro software and edit it to match your business.” From the same site, read the many "how-to” articles and links to resources such as a "Business Plan Coaching Service” for professional help.
articles.bplans.com/writing-a-business-plan Same site as above, containing detailed instructions on writing a business proposal.
www.restaurantowner.com/public/DOWNLOAD_Restaurant_Business_ Offers a downloadable, detailed business plan template to customize, possibly other useful information. Paid membership required.
