Fast Food Restaurant – 53% Profit Margin, Business Plan

When there is a will, there is a way. This specifically holds true when one is starting a fast food restaurant business. Food business is drastic. It can either soar to unimaginable heights or fail like a dud. This makes it the most challenging business one can possibly think of. Most of them fail to sustain for even months. Thus effective business planning is important. Implementation is different from ambition and clear implementation is required at all stages of the business. If you are looking to start your own fast food restaurant business then I advise you to read this article till the very end and note down given points for your business plan.

Fast food in fact has gained momentum with our fast paced world. Kids, youth and people of all age groups eat fast food. With hectic deadlines and busy schedules, there is less time to cook. Fast food joints are accessible, have varieties ranging from sandwiches to everything else under the sun, available and extremely affordable.

Also all sections of the society are its consumers. One should understand certain parameters to enter this business.

An effective business plan could mean a positive start to sorting out one’s future plans in this field. Here are a few things you’ll want to do before you open your fast food corner:

Make a business plan

From planning, capital creation, staffing, and finally operating, research is required to create a holistic business plan. Include below points in your business plan and start following it from the very beginning.

Get registered

One should follow and complete all registration formalities, licensing requirements, registration of shop, vehicle or the whole idea in itself. One should acquire a food operator license from the concerned governing body. Registering will help one during legal, ethical complexities and will ensure one is in tune with state policies and standards.

Select type of food

One should have clarity as to the kind and type of food one wants to sell. The content, ingredients etc should be known as per requirements. The kind of food as per local tastes, what they want to eat and what niches are left unexplored. Creating an interesting menu with good combinations is prima forte to the business.

Find proper location

Location is another important factor because it determines our clientele base and the type, number and traffic of people who would visit your centre. If your restaurant is located in a place with low visibility and lack of crowd, then chances of having customers is low and this may not lead to profits. Parks, areas around colleges, universities or hostels, public places, beaches are more likely to get more people and create business.

Figure out funding

One should have clear idea as to how much capital one wants to invest and its sources. Loans, grants or rainsing through private sources are some options. One can create elaborate plans to attract corporate investment in the form of sponsorship for raw materials or affiliation. Drawing a sheet of profits and likely costs and expenses is important.

Follow health and safety measures

Adhering to state regulations and basic standards of health, cleanliness, sanitation and surroundings is important. Every place has their own regulations one must know about and follow to enjoy uninterrupted continuation of businesses. Having or using clean utensils and sanitising them for the health of customers, using good ingredients and fresh produce is important.

Set pricing

Setting the menu and deciding on the prices is important. Price should be maintained to maximise profitability with respect to each product or item off the menu. What one can do is to set prices for individual products as well as combo products to reach maximum revenues. This is important keeping in mind the huge competition in this field.

Run marketing campaigns

This is the key to attract sales and hence growth. Advertising your place far and wide can work wonders for your place. Flyers, pamphlets, social media campaigns, collaborations, freebies, combos, handbills, can be given out and distributed. Print ads, Television and internet based ads, growing social media media followers by posting engaging pics, registering with food apps and food bloggers is important to give that edge.

 

Know your customer

One should realise the volatility of the business and have clear idea about who your target groups are. It should reflect on the quality and type of food one sells in the outlet. While the choices are endless, what one needs to know is the demographic quotient of the traffic. Also estimating their tastes and current food fads or sensations. Incorporating local elements to regular food through naming will also make one attractive to customers.

Hiring and staffing

Hiring good efficient staff or if it is a single employee, one should make sure they are well placed. This is because of the chances of expansion. Even if it is a single person runninght outlet, he has to be well versed with the rules of the trade, the ups, downs and the best target customers. He has to be a one man army who conveniently manages the trade.

Know your liabilities

One must understand the weaknesses of the business taking into consideration certain grim realities that will happen with time. People can get bored of the food, find a better price somewhere else. Thus it is a transient setting where the possibility of a steady future is more than bleak. Thus identifying those grey areas and creating back up plans would help.

Profit margin in fast food business

Profit margin in fast food restaurant depends on factors such as:-

• Menu and kitchen staff
• Rentals and other monthly expenses

Profit margin taking in mind 20 – 30% food cost, should be around 50 – 60% depending on competition, table turnover and cost control.

Thus while the lure to set up a fast food business is huge one should consider all possible pitfalls before stepping into one. Innovative strategies like food trucks, vans, grills and such strategies can add some interesting elements to your place. Also having succinct knowledge of the consumers is important. This helps understand and segregate our marketing strategies accordingly.

Providing 100% customer satisfaction should be the aim with understood planks like brand value and quality. Greeting the customers and providing an air of ease can attract young crowds and this will boost sales.

Being unique is the USP here. With more focus on healthy eating, fast food corner have a future that looks quite bleak. What one can do is to gain a first mover advantage to capture those extra brownies by starting healthy food options that not only accentuate health freaks but also satiate our taste buds.

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