Restaurant advice for growth from a local expert

Many restaurants experience a period of prosperity when they first open, usually due to the novelty of their offerings in an area, but after the new wears off it’s easy for a restaurant to plateau. At this point, a restaurant owner might seek to grow their business but if this is their first restaurant venture they might be unsure which direction to take. This is where enlisting the help of an experienced professional can help take their restaurant to the next level. I am a business coach who has had the pleasure of working with businesses of all types, sizes and industries in the Pittsburgh area. When people hear the title “business coach,” they might assume I only help large companies with big budgets, but helping small business owners reach their goals is something I am passionate about and I am happy to consult with businesses of any size or structure. Some of the most fulfilling clients I have worked with have been from the restaurant industry. Food service presents many unique challenges, and for restaurant owners who want to grow their business, combining my knowledge of the business world and the local market with their passion and experience typically produces fantastic results. While many restaurateurs are masters in their area of culinary expertise, they are not always well-versed in the business side of running the establishment. So many people are very talented in the kitchen, but they get overwhelmed by the administrative burden which accompanies running a restaurant. There are regulations to adhere to, real estate concerns when finding the right space, personnel decisions to make and a seemingly endless list of tasks which have nothing to do with producing high quality food. This is where I can help, and I can work with the owner to create steps toward growth. The first step I always take with my clients is to sit down with them and understand their goals. The goal of growing a restaurant is a good starting point, but we must determine what growth looks like for the owner. Maybe they want to open a new location, maybe they want to start franchising or possibly it’s just the desire to keep the dining room full every day. Once we have a goal, we can begin strategizing. Growth involves examining the internal and external factors which impact the business. Internally, we find out what is working with the current structure. Whether it’s a popular dish or marketing tactic, we expand from there. We also examine weaknesses and help shore those up through policy creation, training or finding a unique solution. Externally, growth requires us to look for opportunities. My role in growth can be to help with a cost/benefit analysis of a new location, helping craft marketing campaigns to attract new clientele or properly staffing the restaurant to handle demand at all times. Every restaurant is different, and each owner’s goals will vary, so this has been a high-level of the services I can provide but we can tailor a plan to help your specific situation. If you’re ready to grow your restaurant, give me a call or fill out the form on my website today!