Restaurants are establishments where individuals can enjoy a quick and tasty meal or a refreshing beverage. This industry is rapidly growing due to its high turnover rate. While historically, women were the primary operators of eateries, nowadays men are increasingly taking on prominent roles in this field.
Eateries come in various sizes and offer a range of services based on their capabilities. In Nigeria, popular eateries include Chicken Republic, Mr Biggs, Sweet Sensation, Kilimanjaro, Tantalizer, KFC, Domino’s Pizza, and and Mama Cass, among others.
The layout of most eateries follows a similar structure, typically divided into ten sections such as the dining area, children’s play area, service area, payment counter, baking/cooking area, icing area, storage, offices, and convenience section. Larger eateries aim to incorporate all these sections to cater to customer needs and maintain brand reputation, experiencing both prosperous and challenging periods.
During prosperous times, eateries witness high sales, sometimes exceeding capacity, while during challenging times, there may be a decrease in sales, leading to leftovers. Some eateries may not survive such periods, but expansion often occurs during successful phases.
Various factors play a crucial role during the planning phase of an eatery. Demographic factors, for instance, are essential in understanding the target customer base to tailor services and menu offerings accordingly. For example, if the majority of patrons are females, incorporating snacks, shawarma, pizza, and fried chicken might be ideal, while men may prefer heartier meals like local delicacies and beans. Women and children, on the other hand, may prefer lighter meals and snacks.
Market Factor: The market consists of Nigerians who have a specific desire for a particular product or service. While everyone requires food for sustenance, not everyone dines out frequently. Therefore, the ideal market for restaurants would be individuals who seldom cook or those who spend the majority of their day outside their homes, such as bankers, lawyers, architects, engineers, and other professionals.
Location Factors: It is crucial to position restaurants in neighbourhoods where the target market requiring such services is located. For instance, eateries near banks, markets, and offices are more likely to experience high sales compared to those in densely populated residential areas.
Service Factor: Defining the services to be offered and how they will be delivered is essential when establishing a restaurant business. Some restaurants focus on meal delivery and online orders, while others prioritize in-house dining services.
Understanding the type of services to provide will aid in preparation, training, and decision-making, as it can impact operational efficiency for sustainable service delivery.
Staff Strength: The number of staff in large restaurants differs from that in smaller establishments. The level of demand dictates the required staff strength, with more customers necessitating a larger workforce.
Future Expansion: Planning for future growth and expansion is advisable. When considering expansion, the choice of location becomes crucial, taking into account factors such as premises size, parking space, and potential for additional structures like canopies or tents.
To drive substantial revenue, it is crucial to adopt tactics that distinguish your business from competitors. Analyzing competitors extensively and utilizing relevant data effectively are vital steps in accomplishing this goal.
To achieve significant revenue growth, it is essential to implement unique strategies that set you apart from your competitors. By thoroughly analyzing your competitors and leveraging available information, you can gain a competitive edge.
Your restaurant’s unique selling point lies in the strategic advantage that positions you ahead of competitors in the same industry.
Prior to launching a restaurant, it is crucial to create brand awareness to inform people about your business.
Brand awareness plays a vital role in the restaurant industry as it allows you to reach potential customers beyond your local area, especially for restaurants with a strong online presence. This enables customers to place online orders or make inquiries, ultimately impacting your sales and revenue.