3 Tips for opening a new restaurant

Starting any new business can be particularly daunting, but branching out in the food and beverage industry can be significantly harder and more expensive if you haven't done your research. Partnering with someone that has experience is often the best thing you can do. Consider these three tips below and see how you can save money and streamline your business. 

• Consider buying used equipment. While you might want to go out and buy everything fresh out of the box there are financial benefits to buying decent used equipment at a reduced price. This will definitely reduce your initial spend. While not every deal is a good deal, avoid being scammed by taking a knowledgeable person with you to view the equipment before you agree to purchase. The truth is that restaurants close all the time and you might end up buying equipment that was only used for a short amount of time. 
• Cash register or POS (Point of sale)? If you're just starting out, you might think that a simple cash register is all you need. A point of sale system might cost a bit more but the benefits will pay off in the long run. With a POS system you can track your sales, manage menu items, track your employees and streamline your reservations system. This is definitely an investment you want to make. 
• Understand the importance of industry specific equipment and supplies. You might want to cut corners initially while you are getting your business off the ground but investing in heavy duty commercial equipment and supplies will save you money. You will need heavy duty plates, cutlery and not excluding your kitchen appliances. 
• Don't forget the disposables. Every single item connected to your restaurant tells a story about your brand. People will remember good service, awesome products and value for money. Make sure you find a reliable takeaway cups supplier, as well as a supplier for fast food boxes. This can make all the difference to your customer.