Cart is empty Are you an aspiring restauranteur who is looking to open their own QSR but don’t know where to start?
You start here, with this blog. Whoever has been in this business has been to a point where the idea is exciting and when it takes its shape, it brings you joy and happiness.
But fair warning, it takes meticulous planning and grit to get started.
Step-by-Step Guide to Start QSR
Thorough research is the key!
Start by learning more about how your favorite QSRs in your locality started out. Try to connect with more and more restauranteurs and people involved in the industry.
Get a grip or better understanding on how the industry operates.
Your journey truly starts after the place actually opens. For a smooth sail down the road, make it a point to do thorough research.
Try to note the gaps that exist in the market and how you can fill those with your QSR concept and services.
Narrow down on the kind of QSR
QSR concepts also include coffee shops, bakery cafés, pizza outlets, sandwich shops, Mexican and Asian cuisines, salad bars, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, chicken restaurants, and more.
With a variety of options QSRs cater to diverse tastes.
The kind of QSR concept that you will go for will depend on the target audience you are planning to have and the cuisine you are going to focus on in your menu.
Get your ideal customer persona and go ahead to design the QSR concept that matches your needs and preferences.
This part is very important to determine because at this stage you define the components that will drive your strategy to get started:
- Define your goal
- Determine your financial projections
- Establish marketing strategies
- Finetune your target audience
- Explore options of financing
- Explore your equipment leasing options
- Learn more about your competition
- Get knowledge on potential trends in the industry
If you can, get the help of an expert so you can step ahead of the roadblocks that can be avoided.
Decide a unique name for your QSR
This is again something that is not only exciting but also important. You need to come up with a name for your outlet that is not only easy to remember, but also relates to the brand identity you are looking to establish.
While names do not come up with a rule book, you are free to opt for a name that works best for you.
List down several name options, discuss them with your friends and family and tune it down to one, stick to one.
Take care of the below:
- Cultural relevance
- Meaning of the name
- Positive associations with the name
- Length of the name
- Domain availability
- Memorability of the name
The Launch Plan
Finalize a location
It’s with this phase that your real journey starts. The location that you choose will have a direct impact on the kind of traffic that you will get, the quality of customers you will get and overall determine the success of your QSR.
Once you have finalized a location, you will need to check the local zoning laws as well as get the necessary license permits as well.
Consider these factors:
- Demographics
- Competitors
- Safety
- Foot Traffic
- Nearby Businesses & amenities
Design your restaurant space
The design of the restaurant space impacts the overall vibe of the QSR. No matter what kind of design or layout you go with, it needs to be easy to navigate for customers.
Choose a theme of your choice – Rustic, Modern, Ethnic or Casual
Create a layout plan – take help of professional experts for it if you can
Finalize on the color scheme – make sure it goes with the logo of your bar
Choose the perfect lighting – it plays a role in setting the mood and ambience. Choose wisely.
Take care of safety and compliance – make sure the design of the space meets the safety and health regulations.
Curate your menu
Your QSR menu should establish a perfect balance between the needs and preferences of your customers. Again, it should not be too long or too short. Take care of the below while curating your menu:
- The food variety
- The pricing strategy
- The seasonal offerings
- The menu layout
- Legal considerations
Explore inventory options
- Identify best local vendors
- Compare pricing from all nearby vendors
- Analyze the quality of items provided
- Check on the customer testimonials
- Compare the delivery costs
- Check the quality of support
By conducting a comprehensive vendor analysis, you will be able to procure top-notch ingredients and products for your menu.
This, in turn, will elevate the quality of your food, enhance customer satisfaction, and ultimately contribute to the overall success of your outlet.
Finalize your equipment leasing options
It is natural that if you are going for the equipment leasing option for the very first time in your life, you need the right solution provider that works with you using a consultative approach.
Equipment leasing is a good choice to go for when you are starting out because it helps you save on a lot of capital, and you get the best equipment available on the market.
The benefits of equipment leasing extend beyond financial savings. Leasing allows businesses to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, as they can easily upgrade to newer models at the end of the lease term.
This agility and adaptability can give your business a competitive edge which is beneficial because the hospitality industry keeps evolving every year.
Select a merchant service provider
Choosing the right merchant service can help you save on a lot of unwanted fees on transactions. Start by learning more about your favorite or preferred merchant service provider.
Take note of these factors while selecting your ideal merchant service provider:
- Identify your business needs
- Compare fees and rates
- Integration with POS
- Contract Terms
- Support services
- Payment Processing Fees
- Reputation and Reviews
By carefully considering these factors and comparing multiple merchant service providers, you can make an informed decision that best suits your restaurant’s needs, enhances payment efficiency, and contributes to an overall positive dining experience for your customers.
Explore Restaurant POS Solutions
Another point to factor in would be the right choice of a Restaurant POS solution. This is very important if you are looking for faster order turnaround, invoice tracking, stock tracking and overall customer satisfaction.
Consider all kinds of features like online ordering, multi-column modifiers, kitchen display, gift cards or loyalty programs while narrowing down your choice of options.
Consider the below factors while choosing the POS solution:
- Ease-of-use
- Cloud Based
- Data Security & Compliance
- Inventory Management
- Integration with Payment Processors
- Reviews and recommendations
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can find the right restaurant POS solution for your QSR that optimizes efficiency, enhances customer service, and contributes to the overall success of your establishment.
Plan on getting digital menu boards right
With technology driving every aspect of the restaurant sector, make sure you decide to go for digital menu boards right away instead of paper menus.
Explore the right digital menu board solution that makes it easier for you to make menu updates and is also quick to set up.
Paper menus tend to have lots of tedious processes associated with them. Right from contacting a designer to update your menu design to getting the paper prints, opting for digital menu boards is prudent.
A simple, easy to use and cost-effective menu board system will help you save a lot of time and effort.
Decide on a launch date
It would be ideal to have a launch date once you have finalized the location and the design work for the QSR. This gives you a set time frame to plan and get things done on time.
It is also needed to avoid any unnecessary costs associated due to delay in the launch.
A good trick around this would be to set up the launch date during a festival. This way, more people will be inclined to give your bar a try and you will get more footfall.
Deciding on a strategic launch date can open gates to better customers and give you a good head start on your QSR growth journey.
Prepare for the BIG DAY!
The day of your launch is here, and it has to be perfect. Start by making a list of the things you need perfectly for this day and have everything ready.
Make sure to hire the staff needed at least 2 weeks before the launch and give them the necessary training.
- Keep your inventory stocked
- Prepare your menu and do a test run on the digital menu boards
- Try and prepare a nice introductory video of your QSR and the vision behind it
- Run an offer like B1G1 or 50% off for a week on entire menu to get more footfalls
- Make sure the cleanliness and décor are on point
- Test out your POS systems and the payment modes to avoid any discrepancies in case rush
With the evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements, staying ahead of trends and providing exceptional experiences will be paramount.
Careful planning, market research, and a strong digital presence will be essential for success. Embracing sustainability, diverse offerings, and fostering a welcoming atmosphere will set a bar apart in the competitive landscape.
As we move forward, it’s clear that the key to thriving lies in adaptability, creativity, and a genuine passion for creating unforgettable moments for customers.
