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French Restaurants – Buying a Restaurant
Once you have found your site, contracts exchanged, critical path in place the fun begins, there is no feeling like opening your own place for thousands to enjoy, it makes all the blood sweat and tears worth it, the journey has begun!
French Restaurants – Buying a RestaurantOnce you have found your site, contracts exchanged, critical path in place the fun begins, there is no feeling like opening your own place for thousands to enjoy, it makes all the blood sweat and tears worth it, the journey has begun!
French Restaurants – Buying a RestaurantOnce you have found your site, contracts exchanged, critical path in place the fun begins, there is no feeling like opening your own place for thousands to enjoy, it makes all the blood sweat and tears worth it, the journey has begun!
French Restaurants – Buying a RestaurantOnce you have found your site, contracts exchanged, critical path in place the fun begins, there is no feeling like opening your own place for thousands to enjoy, it makes all the blood sweat and tears worth it, the journey has begun!
The Journey of Opening a Restaurant: Our Story
Chris’Blog – Buying a Restaurant
Chris’Blog – Buying a Restaurant
I thought I would share my life as a chef and restaurateur whilst homebound, like all stories I should start at the beginning….
Foundations of a Successful Restaurant
Finding and acquiring the perfect site requires a blend of vision, careful planning, and a touch of faith. It is this combination of passion and pragmatic preparation that truly lays the foundation for any successful venture.
I would imagine every chef and would be restaurateur, holds the desire to open their own restaurant one day; and over time talking with friends and getting as much feedback from professionals, partners and family, you will know when it is time. This is when you have run the concept through in your head a thousand times, able to look your doubters in the eye and answer confidently, it will work.
Developing Your Business Concept
Next is the location and business plan, how many seats? Style of food and service, opening hours, and a feel for the revenue the restaurant might achieve.
Collaborating with financial partners requires rigorous transparency and a commitment to fiscal reality. While we maintain a naturally optimistic outlook, we are also disciplined in our forecasting. Avoiding the temptation to inflate projections to accommodate ambitious design plans or staffing costs is essential; a realistic budget is the only way to ensure the long-term viability of your venture.
I remember the late, great Michel Roux Sr telling me when I was about 19, that you needed two things, a minimum of 70 seats, and a good helping of stubbornness if I was to succeed in my dream as a chef patron, still great words of advice today.
While the adage ‘location, location, location’ remains a staple of property acquisition, many exceptional establishments have proven that excellence can transcend position. If you provide a superior experience, guests will travel for it.
My golden rule for site selection is simple: invest the time to truly understand the neighbourhood. By observing an area at different times of the day, you begin to appreciate its rhythm. Much like choosing a home, you must be able to visualise yourself and your team committed to that space for years to come.
Like all things of desire, often you almost get to the finishing line, only to have your dream snatched away, and this has happened a number of times to us.
We also learnt a valuable lessons from the best restaurateurs in the business, Jeremy King, and Chris Corbin, who once told me that when looking at a business, there should be two questions you ask yourself.
1. Could we? This sees the professional rising in your breast and saying “Yes! We can do this, there are a few things not quite right, but we can overcome this” then the next question…
2. The most vital question is one of purpose: ‘Should we do this?’ If the motivation is driven solely by ego or profit, the project is unlikely to endure. A successful venture should be rooted in integrity—creating genuine opportunities for your team, fostering a sense of community, and building a venue where guests create lasting memories.
Once you have found your site, contracts exchanged, critical path in place the fun begins, there is no feeling like opening your own place for thousands to enjoy, it makes all the blood sweat and tears worth it, the journey has begun!
