5 Tips on Restaurant Renovation
Renovations can increase your restaurant’s sales between 7% and 20% when done right. If you’re just starting your renovation and want to begin somewhere, consider this key checklist:
1. Research and Plan
All of the remodeling tips in the world won’t be able to help your restaurant as much as your patrons will be able to help. Speak with your peers and customers, ask them what in their opinion needs renovating.
Make survey to get a better understanding what’s lacking or what’s liked about your establishment.
Elaborate a plan that will adhere to your:
- Target audience
- Vision
- Brand image
If needed, consult with a brand management specialist that will help you create a final plan for your renovations.
2. Figure Out the Budget
You can call around and get estimates for the restaurant planning. Work with an architect, designer or contractor that is well-rated and able to determine the true costs of remodeling your space.
Then, decide if you’ll be seeking a loan for the renovation or using your own savings.
3. Prioritization Is the Key
You have your budget, but you may realize that the costs of everything are too much for your complete vision to be brought to life. This is when you’ll need to sit down and prioritize.
It is better to start with the repairs and safety items on your list. If a roof is leaking, make the repair before expanding the waiting area and knocking down internal walls. Issues like that should always be the first items checked off on your remodeling checklist.
4. Be Trendy
Before your plan is put into action, you’ll also want to look at key design trends. You’ll want to know the new trends in your sector of the industry and what your competitors are doing to lure in more customers.
5. Be Careful With Timing and Operation
Remodeling is a massive undertaking, and you don’t want to interrupt your patrons with the sound of hammers and drills while they sip on wine. The ideal time to renovate is during the low season because you’ll lose revenue while the business is closed.
If you have to renovate and keep your business open as much as possible, you may want to switch your operating hours. Also, make sure that the areas being renovated are sectioned off so that visitors do not get injured.
When you close during the renovation, you’ll be able to put all of your focus into it and offer the same level of customer service when your regulars are allowed back into the space. But you do risk your customers going to competitors to try their food.
One way to avoid losing customers is to have a “grand reopening”, and use the remodel as a major selling point. Customers may come back to the restaurant to see the beautiful work that you’ve done.
When undergoing a major remodeling, make sure to weigh the costs, account for lost revenue and always assume that the costs will be much higher than what is actually budgeted out.
Source: https://mcdonaldpaper.com/blog/guide-to-restaurant-renovation
