How to Open a BarbeQue Restaurant

Executive Summary By Rhonda Campbell

Opening a restaurant can be a rewarding and challenging experience. After you select a high trafficked area to open your restaurant in, establish relationships with local business leaders and create a buzz around your business, you will be on your way toward opening your own food establishment. The clearer your vision is for your eatery, the greater you increase your chances of completing all necessary paper filings, designing a comfortable and attractive business and hiring the most capable staff in time for your grand opening. Complete Filings and Raise Capital

• Step 1

Complete an application for an EIN at the Internal Revenue Service official web site (see Resources).
Understand that you can also apply for your EIN over the telephone by calling the Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. Fax your form to your state IRS office. Refer to the "Apply for an EIN" link in the Resources section of this article. Click "Apply by Fax." Find your state's fax-in number and submit your completed application.

• Step 2

Complete state filings.
Register to collect state sales and use tax. Visit your state's Department of Revenue web site by clicking the "State Links" link in the Resources section of this article. Note that many states allow users to file forms and pay taxes directly through their web sites.

• Step 3

Write a detailed business plan for your barbecue restaurant.
Provide a description for your business including the types of food you will offer and your days and hours of operation. Include your marketing plan and address how you will alert the media and the public about your business. For example, you might write and distribute weekly or monthly press releases to local media or contact local magazine editors and request that the magazines write a feature review on your restaurant. Research materials on other barbecue restaurants in your area. Provide documents that highlight your existing budget and the amount of capital the business will start with and how you will raise any additionally needed capital. Refer to the Small Business Administration's "Writing a Business Plan" document in the Resources section of this article to review sample business plans.

• Step 4

Raise capital and get insurance.
Work with your bank to complete and submit loan applications to raise capital to open your restaurant. Speak with local insurance providers. Purchase enough insurance to cover property damages such as fire, flood or theft. Make sure that you get ample liability insurance. Ask your insurance provider about employee-related insurance such as worker's compensation, disability and unemployment to make sure you have enough insurance for your staff.

• Step 5

Get licenses and permits.
Contact your local licensing department. Make sure that you get all necessary licenses and permits such as a food establishment permit or a food and beverage license. Contact your city's zoning code commission to request that an inspector come to your restaurant and assess the property and ensure that it is in compliance with local zoning laws. Refer to the link titled "Licenses and Permits" in the Resources section of this article for additional licenses and permits you will need depending on the type of services your restaurant will provide.

• Step 6

Choose an optimum location.
Contact a licensed and reputable real estate agent to help you learn about and study the area where you want to open your restaurant. Make sure that the location is highly trafficked, especially during the days and hours your business will be open. Look into the cost of locating your restaurant near a hub of area colleges so you can market to and gain support from college and university students in addition to city employees and residents.

• Step 7

Build inventory.
Purchase equipment and furniture such as stoves and hoods, smoke fans, grills, grease drains, freezers, refrigerators, deep sinks, tables and chairs. Contact the local electric and gas companies to install electrical wiring and gas lines so you can effectively operate your stoves, grills and other cooking equipment. Acquire enough linen for table covers, dish towels, rags and cook aprons. Keep in mind that you can contact directories and warehouses such as Food Service Warehouse and Big Tray to purchase restaurant equipment at a discount.

• Step 8

Contact an interior designer who has experience designing restaurants.
Make sure that your restaurant has a fireproof ceiling. Design your business for comfort and eye appeal. Consider adding a seating area and a private room so that businesses and schools can hold special events at your restaurant.

• Step 9

Hire staff.
Post job openings for licensed and experienced cooks and cashiers at job boards such as Career Builder, Monster and Simply Hired. Reach out to area culinary schools. Ask school administrators to include an ad for the positions you are seeking to fill in the school's career placement offices. Post similar job openings in your local newspaper. Offer area college students the opportunity to intern with your restaurant during the summer.

• Step 10

Market and promote.
Create a professional web site for your restaurant. Add pictures and video clips from special events at your restaurant, including the grand opening. Post your web site's URL on message boards and discussion forums that focus on dining and barbecue. Include your web site URL on all correspondence and e-mails that you send.

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