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What should I know before opening a restaurant?

Alex Hong
Executive Chef & Restaurant Owner
Alex Hong is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Sorrel, a New American restaurant in San Francisco. He has been working in restaurants for over 12 years. Alex is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has worked in the kitchens of Jean-Georges and Quince, both Michelin-starred restaurants.

Alex Hong

Executive Chef & Restaurant Owner

Expert Answer

Opening a restaurant takes money and you have to find the perfect location. It probably took us 2 years to find the right spot for Sorrel. Then, you need a super talented team. If you want to work with a partner, you have to find someone you can work closely with, and you need people for the front and the back of the house who really want to work there.

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Question

What questions should I ask customers for feedback?

Community Answer

Some things along the lines of: "Was it good value for money?"; "Were you happy with the menu options?"; "Did you like the waiters/waitresses?"; "Is there anything that could've improved your experience?"

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Question

How do I know what to buy for my restaurant's kitchen?

Community Answer

It all depends on the kind of food you would want to serve. The few things all kitchens need are: a sink, some kind of refrigeration, and a freezer. Depending on what you are cooking, you may also need an oven, a deep fryer, a stove, a grill, etc.

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How do I determine profit or loss for a restaurant?

Community Answer

You need to look at what you're spending versus what you're bringing in. If you're spending more than you make, you're operating at a loss. If you're making more than you spend, you're operating at a profit. If you're neither spending nor making more, you're breaking even. You may want to look into some classes on business management if you're interested in opening a restaurant.

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Question

What are some other ways to attract customers?

Community Answer

Word-of-mouth is your best bet. Your restaurant should have a dish it is known for that gets people talking. This might be something unusual that isn't widely-available, or just something that you make exceptionally well, like an old family recipe.

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How much do I have to invest?

Community Answer

This depends on where you want to put your restaurant, if you want to rent out a area of space, or if you want to make the building yourself. It also depends on how many people you want to hire and what kind of dining you would like.

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Is it okay to be the head chef of your own restaurant?

Community Answer

It is if you have prior head chef experience. If not, you should hire one.

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Question

Can I buy food ingredients from Walmart?

Community Answer

You can buy ingredients from anywhere you want. But just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Fresh ingredients almost always taste better than prepackaged, and tastier food means happier customers.

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I'm thinking about starting a 50's cafe. Is this a good plan?

Community Answer

Yes, it's a good plan if you know how to take care of it and you have a business license. .

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