We here at One Fat Frog don’t just work with restaurants to get them the equipment they need; we also enjoy going to restaurants. We enjoy getting a bite to eat after a long day of work, or for going out on the weekend to unwind, or because we just don’t feel like cooking. I, for one, am very limited in my culinary knowledge and abilities, so finding my way to a local place to have someone else make food for me is often the preferred method of dining. Of course, if you’re looking to open up your own restaurant, there are a lot of options that need to be considered. For one, knowing your market is important.
The first step in choosing your market starts with what kind of restaurant you have. Fast food restaurants, for example, the primary focus of the market is to be somewhere that’s a high-traffic area, like busy intersections, to ensure you can do a lot of volume. Aside from that, the market should have an appeal in the area you’re in. Let’s say you’re in a busy factory town; a fine-dining restaurant might not do as well as a home-style bistro type of restaurant. It’s important to recognize your market to properly position your restaurant. Population and average median income are up there in deciding on your restaurant’s position. And remember: the need of the market is more important than what you want.
Other elements to consider include weather and commuter patterns. If you live in an area that goes from hot to rainy in minutes (like we do here in Florida), you may want to avoid the outdoor patio set-up. Also, just like with a fast food restaurant, if you’re near a busy highway, intersection, or part of a downtown area, this can greatly affect your business from a walk-in perspective. Also consider your competition because who needs two really expensive steakhouses right across the street from each other? That’s just silly.
One last thing that’s worth considering is your local culture. If you live in an area with a good farmer’s market or local produce, you’d be crazy to not take advantage of that. Not only is it a great way to get a good deal on fresh ingredients (local vendors are usually willing to make a deal for repeat business), but it brings pride to the your community knowing that your restaurant is getting ingredients from the local area. And if you know how to make it tasty, then that’s even better. And even if you don’t have a farmer’s market, every local area has its own charm, and you should find out what that is to include it in your concept.
So, you’ve got a lot to consider when getting ready to open your own restaurant. But when you’re ready to do that, know you have a local business that will help you find what you need to load up your kitchen with all the great equipment to make those delectable meals.
One Fat Frog Restaurant Equipment
One Fat Frog • 2416 Sand Lake rd, Orlando FL, 32809 • 4074803409
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