Our Selection Criteria

Our list of the ten most beautiful restaurants in London is the product of analysing multiple different factors. Before we leap straight into which restaurants made our list, let’s first ensure we’re on the same page regarding what actually constitutes a beautiful restaurant. Here are the main things we considered when making our selections:

• Setting. Visiting a restaurant is a multisensory experience, and a great meal should be accompanied by a feast for the eyes. Some are elegant and refined, whereas others are more retro in their aesthetics, but all of the restaurants on our list are beautiful to look at;
• Food. Obviously, the quality of the food is important, but that doesn’t mean it all has to be pretentious, Michelin-star-worthy fine dining. Many of the places on our list are relatively low-key and much more casual in their approach to preparing food than the aforementioned ‘refined’ establishments. They all, however, have their own personal culinary style, which they execute beautifully;
• Service. Service is important. The most perfectfilet mignon is no good if the staff throw it at you! This category also includes ease of booking. The selected restaurants have simple, online, easy-to-use booking systems and staff who are pleasant and knowledgeable;
• Reviews. We’ve allowed our selection to be informed by reviews so that we can gather data, combine numerous opinions, and produce the most well-rounded list possible. Some of the reviews which have informed our decisions are by food critics, whereas others are from regular diners;
• Location. London is a big place, and we’ve tried to select a range of restaurants to represent this. They are all situated in reasonably central areas and are all accessible by foot or by car. Some may be tucked down little alleyways, but many of the best gems are hidden ones!

Our Top 10 Most Beautiful Restaurants in London

Without further ado, here’s our pick of the top 10 most beautiful restaurants in London!

And if You Fancy After-Dinner Drinks

Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the best places to eat in the city, let’s explore your options for after-dinner drinks. Here’s a quick roundup of some of the top bars and pubs in London:

• Disrepute, Soho. If cocktails are your thing, then you’re sure to love Disrepute, with its wide range of cocktails – both classic and experimental – in an elegant setting. The bar staff are experts in their craft, so you can expect great service too;
• Oriole, Farringdon. This is an uber-stylish spot frequented by those in the know. It has a speakeasy aesthetic and a great menu with cocktails and much more. The jazzy atmosphere is a great place to relax after visiting one of our recommended restaurants;
• 12th Knot, South Bank. This rooftop locale offers more than just a fantastic range of drinks – you get to enjoy them whilst looking over the iconic London skyline;
• The Cellar, King’s Cross. Perfect for wine quaffers and cocktail chuggers alike, The Cellar is effortlessly stylish and boasts an impressive array of wines from around the world. Whether you like an old-world rougeor prefer a fashionable South African tipple, there’s something here for you;
• Soda & Friends, London City Island. This one is a more relaxed spot, with a casual atmosphere and an unpretentious selection of wines and spirits on offer, making it perfect for parties and groups.

Conclusion

London isn’t short of beautiful places to eat. Whether you’re looking for an Instagrammable excursion or a fine dining experience, there’s bound to be something for you on our list. Be sure to book ahead, as these places can be very popular once people know about them! Enjoy exploring the city and all the eating it has to offer. Bon appetit!

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In this post, we’re going to take a look at how one goes about setting up an online casino internet cafe. We’ll explore what’s involved in opening and running this kind of business, provide you with a few tips and strategies to keep your customers interested and look at what you’re going to need to get started.

Create a Plan of Action

Before you can truly dive into setting up your online casino internet cafe, you’ll want to have a good plan of action. It should cover the main steps of setting up. This plan will help you to make informed decisions and keep you on track. Here are a couple of the things which are likely to feature on it:

• Create a business plan. This is a document which lets any potential investors know exactly what you have in mind. A business plan contains specific sections, so be sure to research how to create a great one.
• Decide who your customers are. It’s important to know your customer base. Think about who you want coming to your cafe and whether or not they will make for profitable customers.
• Identify your niche. What are you offering that others aren’t? Are your snacks healthy and homemade? Is your coffee the best? Superfast broadband? Figure out what sets you apart from your competitors (a bit of market research can be helpful here).
• Acquire your main assets. Obviously, you’re going to need computers. They won’t need to be the most powerful machines in the world, but buffering is frustrating, so ensure that your machines are up to the task (this goes for the coffee machine too).
• Make preparations to open. Once you’re ready, certain preparations will need to be made, such as meeting legal requirements, hiring staff, buying supplies and engaging in marketing.

Consider Different Types of Casino Software

Opening an online casino internet cafe means aligning yourself with casino software providers. These are the companies responsible for running and making the games which your customers will be enjoying, so it’s crucial that you read up on them carefully and note that each comes with its own strengths. Here’s a general overview of the big players in this market:

Bring It All Together

Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the things you need to think about before beginning your business venture, you’re ready to start bringing it all together. Before you can actually open your doors, here are some of the main obstacles you can expect to face:

• Find your funding. Having a great business plan is a reliable way to do this. You may consider funding your cafe with personal funds, a bank loan, or money from private investors. Whoever you approach for money, just make sure you’re honest with them about what you need and how much they stand to gain by partnering with you. Remember that you are part of the product, too, so conduct yourself in a professional manner to give yourself the best chance.
• Find a location. The perfect location for your online casino internet cafe will depend largely on the type of establishment you want it to be. If you’re expecting loyal customers, you may be able to get away with setting up in a less expensive, more out-of-the-way location. However, if your business plan is reliant on heavy footfall in the area, make sure you’re on a main street where people can discover you and be tempted inside.
• Set up your physical premises. Once you’ve found a location, signed the lease, and paid a deposit, you’re ready to set it up! Figure out how many computers you’re likely to need. Ensure that your bar is equipped to serve high-quality beverages and snacks (the quality of good coffee – particularly in a casino setting – cannot be overstated!)
• Get a licence. In addition to getting a licence as a gambling establishment, you’re going to need to establish your cafe as a legal entity. This means registering for taxes and potentially getting an accountant. Also, if you’re serving alcohol of any kind, you’ll need a separate, specific licence for this.
• Marketing. It’s important to let people know about your business, especially if it’s not on a particularly busy street. There are plenty of ways to approach this. Common marketing methods include viral and social media marketing, promotional offers, branded coffee cups, photo-friendly settings, and having an attractive shop front.
• Open! With all the main stumbling blocks behind you, you’re finally ready to open your doors. You might want to have some sort of grand opening event, which can draw attention to your business, or you may want to offer a promo on opening day to entice customers and show them what you have built.

Fancy Some Free Spins?

Free spins are a great way to keep your customers happy, so always be on the lookout for relevant offers and links to great promos which you can pass on to them. Some of them will come in the form of welcome bonuses for customers who are new to a particular casino. Others might involve regular cashback paid on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Some of the most enticing deals to offer your customers, however, are no deposit free spins casino UK.

To Conclude

Obviously, before you start a business, it’s important to do a lot of research. We’ve touched on some of the main things you should consider above, but be sure to do plenty of reading in addition to this overview.

Perhaps most importantly, think about what makes your venture different. What is your niche? Who are your customers? What will keep them returning to your establishment? Once you know the answer to these main questions, you’re ready to get started. Good luck with your own online casino internet cafe!

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Food photography is more than just snapping a picture of your meal. It’s about showcasing the beauty and artistry behind the culinary creations, evoking emotions, and enticing viewers to crave the dish. Great food photos can help establish a strong brand identity for restaurants, drive customer engagement, and create buzz on social media.

Getting Started with Food Photography

Choosing the Right Equipment

While professional photographers often use DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, you don’t need expensive gear to capture stunning food photos. A smartphone with a good camera, coupled with the right techniques, can produce impressive results. Invest in a tripod to avoid shaky shots and a clip-on lens to enhance your phone’s camera capabilities.

Setting up the Perfect Lighting

Natural light is your best friend in food photography. Place your dish near a window to take advantage of soft, diffused light, which brings out the textures and colors of the food. Avoid using flash, as it can create harsh shadows and unappealing reflections. If you’re shooting in low light, use a portable LED light to mimic natural light.

Considering the Background and Props

Choose a background that complements your dish without overpowering it. Simple, neutral backdrops like wood or marble surfaces work well. Props like cutlery, napkins, and glassware can add interest to your photo, but be mindful not to overcrowd the frame. Always keep the focus on the food.

Composing the Perfect Shot

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a fundamental principle in photography that involves dividing your frame into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. Placing the main subject at the intersections of these lines creates a balanced and visually appealing composition.

Different Angles

Experiment with different angles to find the most flattering perspective for your dish. Overhead shots work well for flat lays, while a 45-degree angle can showcase the layers and height of a dish. Don’t be afraid to get close and capture the details or step back to include the ambiance of the restaurant.

Layering and Depth

Create depth in your photos by layering elements like plates, utensils, and garnishes. Use foreground and background elements to guide the viewer’s eye toward the main subject. By incorporating depth, you can make your food photos more dynamic and interesting.

Styling Your Food for Instagram-worthy Photos

Choosing the Right Plate

The plate you choose can make or break your food photo. Opt for plates with simple designs and colors that complement the dish without distracting from it. White plates are a popular choice because they allow the food to stand out.

Adding Garnishes and Accessories

Garnishes and accessories can elevate your food photos by adding color, texture, and visual interest. Use fresh herbs, edible flowers, or a sprinkle of spices to enhance the dish’s appearance. Accessories like cloth napkins, cutting boards, and rustic utensils can help tell a story and create a cohesive theme.

Creating Contrast and Balance

To create visually appealing food photos, pay attention to the balance and contrast between different elements. Use contrasting colors, textures, and shapes to create interest and harmony in your composition. For example, pair a smooth, creamy soup with a crusty piece of bread or surround a colorful salad with neutral-toned props.

Editing Your Food Photos

Basic Adjustments

Editing your food photos can make a world of difference in their final appearance. Use photo editing apps like Lightroom or VSCO to make basic adjustments like brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness. Remember, the goal is to enhance the image, not to make it look unnatural.

Cropping and Straightening

Cropping and straightening your photos can help improve their overall composition. Remove any unnecessary distractions from the frame and ensure your main subject is well-positioned according to the rule of thirds. Straightening the photo can also create a more polished and professional look.

Filters and Presets

While filters can add a unique touch to your food photos, be cautious not to overdo it. Instead, use presets or custom settings to create a consistent look across your Instagram feed. This will help establish your personal style and make your photos instantly recognizable.

Building Your Instagram Presence

Consistency in Style and Theme

Developing a consistent style and theme for your food photography will help you stand out on Instagram. Choose a color palette, editing style, and overall aesthetic that reflects your personality and brand. Be consistent in your posting frequency to keep your audience engaged.

Interact with your followers by responding to comments and messages, asking questions, and encouraging them to share their own food photos. Building a genuine connection with your audience can lead to increased engagement, loyalty, and growth.

Collaborating with Other Foodies

Partner with other food photographers, bloggers, and influencers to expand your network and reach new audiences. Share each other’s content, participate in collaborations, and support each other’s growth.

Conclusion

The art of food photography requires patience, practice, and creativity. By following these tips and tricks, you can capture stunning, Instagram-worthy restaurant shots that showcase the beauty of culinary creations and attract a loyal following. So, grab your camera (or smartphone) and start snapping!

The post The Art of Food Photography: Tips and Tricks for Instagram-worthy Restaurant Shots appeared first on Resto-Fan.

The Connection Between Food, Instagram, and Influencers

Why Food is Perfect for Instagram

Instagram is a visually driven platform, which makes food an ideal subject. Beautifully presented dishes, vibrant colors, and tantalizing textures all contribute to the platform’s appetite for food-related content. The platform’s nature encourages users to share their experiences, and as a result, food has become an integral part of Instagram culture. In the quest for attention, some users might even consider using services to buy 30 likes or more to boost their posts’ visibility, highlighting the impact of social media on our perception of food and dining experiences.

How Influencers Took Over the Food Scene

As Instagram grew in popularity, so too did the presence of influencers. These individuals have amassed large followings due to their engaging content, captivating personalities, and expertise in their chosen niches. In the food world, these influencers have become trusted sources of recommendations, reviews, and inspiration for food enthusiasts and casual diners alike.

Instagram’s Impact on the Restaurant Industry

Restaurant Marketing Strategies

Instagram has changed the way restaurants market themselves. Traditional advertising methods, such as print ads and radio spots, have taken a backseat to influencer partnerships and social media campaigns. Restaurants now collaborate with food influencers to create sponsored content, host events, and offer exclusive discounts to their followers, leading to increased engagement and customer loyalty.

Menu Design and Aesthetic

In the age of Instagram, presentation is more important than ever. Restaurants are paying closer attention to the visual appeal of their dishes, as well-crafted food images can generate significant buzz and attract new patrons. Chefs are experimenting with innovative plating techniques, vibrant ingredients, and artistic garnishes to create dishes that are as photogenic as they are delicious.

The Importance of Instagrammable Locations

An “Instagrammable” location is now a must-have for many restaurants. From elaborate murals to unique lighting installations, restaurants are investing in their interior design to create spaces that are not only functional but also highly photogenic. The goal is to provide customers with a memorable experience that they’ll want to share on social media, ultimately driving more traffic to the restaurant.

The Benefits of Food Influencers for Restaurants

Increased Visibility and Reach

Food influencers can significantly increase a restaurant’s visibility, as their posts are seen by thousands or even millions of followers. This exposure can be invaluable, especially for smaller establishments that may struggle to get noticed in a crowded market. By partnering with influencers, restaurants can reach new audiences and potentially convert followers into customers.

Targeted Marketing

Working with food influencers allows restaurants to tap into specific demographics and interests. For example, a vegan restaurant might collaborate with a well-known vegan influencer to reach a highly engaged audience that’s more likely to visit their establishment. This targeted marketing approach can be more effective and cost-efficient compared to traditional advertising methods.

Establishing Brand Identity

Food influencers can help restaurants establish a distinct brand identity by associating themselves with specific values, aesthetics, or cuisines. By consistently sharing content that aligns with a restaurant’s brand, influencers can reinforce the establishment’s unique selling points and create a loyal following.

Challenges Faced by Restaurants and Food Influencers

Balancing Authenticity and Promotion

One of the most significant challenges for both restaurants and food influencers is maintaining authenticity while promoting products or services. Influencers need to ensure that their sponsored content remains genuine and true to their personal brand to maintain their audience’s trust. At the same time, restaurants must ensure that their partnerships with influencers reflect their values and don’t compromise their reputation.

Dealing with Negative Reviews

Negative reviews can be a double-edged sword for restaurants and food influencers. On one hand, they can provide valuable feedback and drive improvement. On the other hand, they can damage a restaurant’s reputation or an influencer’s credibility. Both parties must be prepared to handle negative reviews gracefully and learn from the feedback they receive.

The Future of Food Influencers and the Restaurant Scene

The rise of food influencers has undoubtedly changed the restaurant scene, and it’s likely that their influence will continue to grow. As social media platforms evolve, food influencers will need to adapt and innovate to remain relevant. Meanwhile, restaurants will need to find new ways to engage with their audience and leverage the power of influencers to stay ahead of the competition.

Food influencers and Instagram have had a profound impact on the restaurant industry, shaping marketing strategies, menu design, and even the physical spaces in which we dine. By embracing the opportunities presented by these social media tastemakers, restaurants can increase their visibility, reach new audiences, and create lasting impressions that keep customers coming back for more.

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A café is a type of restaurant that typically serves coffee, tea, and light refreshments, such as baked goods or snacks. The term “café” comes from the French word meaning coffee that is further derived from the Turkish kahve, meaning coffee. It is also sometimes known as a coffeehouse or a coffee shop (or tea shop in English).

There are some characteristics similar to that of a bar and some characteristics of a restaurant given its selection of foods and beverages served, but is distinct from a cafeteria where customers can choose from many dishes displayed on a serving line.

History

The introduction to café architecture or coffee drinking to Europe provided a much-needed focus for the social activities of the sober. The first café is said to have opened in 1550 in Constantinople; during the 17th-century, cafes opened in Italy, France, Germany, and England. During the 200 years after the mid-17th century, the most famous coffeehouses of Europe flourished in London as ready points for news, discussion, and faction.

Coffee houses or shops became informal stations for the collection and distribution of packets and letters. By the 19th century, the daily newspaper and the home post had displaced these functions. Around that time, the French café and restaurant acted as gathering places for intellectuals and artists. The café continued to be an important social institution in France throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries.

During the late 20th century, as espresso and other specialty coffees became popular in the United States, many restaurants specializing in coffee opened. In the 1990s and early 2000s, some cafés offered Internet access to the public, giving rise to the so-called Internet café.

How is a Café different from a Cafeteria?

The terms Café and Cafeteria seem quite similar as the word ‘Cafe’ is part of the word ‘Cafeteria’. And while most of us know the difference between these two terms, we often mistake or get confused between them at certain points. Let’s break these two terms down to understand the true meaning.

A café is a place that offers coffee, tea, and other such hot beverages along with refreshments. An ideal image of a café or coffee shop would include comfy chairs, tables, sofas, a bookshelf, and a counter where various different types of coffee and other such beverages can be ordered. The purpose of a café is to meet up with friends for a quick chat over coffee. A Café gives an informal vibe where people come to lay off and chill; basically, an opposite of a business dinner, meeting, or any other formal engagement.

A cafeteria is a place where there is a handful of staff or has mostly self-service counters. These places are often found in large institutions such as schools, colleges, office buildings. The place is mostly filled with many small tables and chairs and food counters or counters available close to the walls. Cafeterias mostly resemble food courts in the mall. A person is expected to order their food at the counter and then pay for it.

There are two ways a counter could be set up, a person could walk around and get whatever he likes and then pay for it, or it can be in a buffet style where he pays for it once and is eligible for second helpings.

Importance of Café design

In today’s world where technology and social media are at its peak, it is very important to plan a good hangout space that not only fulfils the hunger for food but also the hunger for publicity and likes. Cafes, pictures, Instagram, and (café) interior design all go hand in hand. Millennial generation is well aware that a great cafe experience comes with a great cafe design. In the age of Instagram and social media updates, it’s safe to say that having a great cafe interior design is a must.

Usually, cafe owners mostly forget the fundamentals of a cafe differs from that of a restaurant. That is why the cafe interior design concepts which work for restaurants do not comply for designing a coffee shop. It is crucial to understand the psychology and mood of a customer visiting a café, which is why the interior design reflects the same.

People of all sorts come into a café for its architecture and design. With an existing target audience, it is still fluid and vague. Coffee accompanies every age group and simple meals which are rather affordable create an atmosphere for both partying or reading. Hence, cafe interior design becomes valuable, as that will define how people react to the cafe.

Tips to have a pleasing and welcoming Café design

The design concepts, wall colours and textures, table and chair design, lighting, and music; all these factors give your cafe a personality that will dictate how people perceive and spend in your cafe. In the end, like any other business, the end goal of a cafe is to maximize profits and minimize cost, so the end goal revolves around the customer and cost effective efficiency.

1. Concept and Research

The first thing to be considered before planning a cafe interior design is your concept. The type of café you want, the prices and kinds of coffee you want, the location of the café, whether it’s a friendly neighbourhood one or near a university campus or at high-end posh neighbourhood. Study the type of clients they are attracting the most and compare if the design in use has anything to do with that. 

If you intend to use machinery to attract clients, then be smart and professional about it. Ensure that all equipment is strategically positioned within the coffee shop. Cover and decorate these machines with bright and branded colours. Make sure that what meets the eyes of your clients is perfect. The primary goal here is to come up with a conducive environment that will please your clients and make it easy for you and your baristas to serve them.

• Layout

The customer’s first impression after entering the coffee shop is influential and highly important. The perfect café layout is one that serves your customers efficiently during both peak and off-peak hours. Coming up with an ideal layout might not be that easy but it will definitely make things easier for all the functions that will follow dictating many components of your customer experience–from how they line up, to where they sit, to how long they sit, to what food and drinks you can serve, and more.

The best café architecture or design should be both aesthetically appealing and ensure smooth service delivery during the busiest of times. Your customers should feel relaxed and welcomed. Having a poor layout will stress your baristas and customers. Here are a few points which will help with the layout process.

• Equipment needs to easily come in and out of your coffee shop for installation, service, cleaning, or replacement. When designing your coffee shop layout, be mindful of this important detail. Make sure it can all fit through your doors and around your walls and counters. 
• Finding the right amount of space in your employee work station is a balancing act. To be efficient and safe, you want to avoid making employees cross paths often. A workspace where employees have stations and can rotate 360 degrees to touch everything. They need to do their job. This will free up space to pass around each other and in the front of customers.
• Make sure to have the highest ceilings possible in the back of the house (kitchen and bar area.) Install shelving all the way up for maximum storage capacity for large boxes of paper products, coffee, and more.
• Take into account how a line of customers affects the overall user experience in a cafe. Avoid chaotic and uncomfortable queues.
• Interior Design

For designing the interior of a café, it is important to keep in mind every single thing, such as wall colour, flooring, furniture, lighting,. These elements, if done carefully, will change the entire outlook of a place. Building an excellent coffee shop from scratch doesn’t have to be expensive.

As long as you are creative and add a personal touch to your overall design, any place will be the envy of the entire town. One way in which elements,can build a stunning coffee shop is by investing in quality interior finishes.

Colour and Café Architecture outlook

Colours in a café are the first thing that customers notice and is an integral part of the cafe design. It is necessary to pick colours that will reflect the mood and the idea of the café. Colours like reds and yellows are considered being diet stimulants since they create an impulse in our minds. To spice up the appearance of walls, wood panels can be used for creating a feature wall, making the store look more rustic and chicer. Also, by brightening up dull walls with colourful wallpaper and treatments such as faux finishes and murals. 

Furniture

Depending on the size of the café, plan the seating. Cafes that will serve lots of people and are in busy locations should have tall and hard chairs that discourage longer stays. Whereas, a café that intends to accommodate customers for longer should have low and comfy couches. The basic thing to remember is that the customers should be able to comfortably enjoy their drinks and snacks without strain. The tables should feature a standard height and shouldn’t be too far or too close to the seats.

Lighting

Even after having the best interior design, incorrect lighting can ruin it. Lighting plays a crucial role in running a café. Customers and employees need to clearly see what they are buying and selling, respectively. The ideal café design should be able to let in natural light throughout the day, the exception being the shop is in between buildings where natural light is scarce.

The aim is to create a comfortable environment and stay away from dazzling lights that seem unnatural. Dazzling lights will over-power the customers, distract them from the food, and make them uncomfortable. Dim lights work in a café if you want to give a rustic and exclusive impression. Ensure that different areas have varying lighting intensities. Seats around corners should be dully lit to create a romantic or idyllic mood. In other areas, ensure the light is bright enough to accommodate reading.

Acoustics

Acoustics are an essential element of café interior design. A cafe is a place where people either come to socialize or work in private. The music playing in a café dictates the mood, especially for the youngsters. Slow music in the background brings about a sense of relaxation, whereas loud music psyches up your customers. To avoid chaos and discomfort, playing different genres of music from time to time will come in handy.

Flooring

Flooring is a crucial part of any interior design and can easily make or break your space. It serves as a foundation to the café design and can ultimately affect its overall success. While the first interaction with a space is visual, the first physical contact a person will have with space is the flooring. Few options for café flooring include- Porcelain, vinyl tiles, terazzo, laminate, carpet, and concrete for the outdoors.

Also, ceramic tiles these days come in various patterns and can be customized according to the café interior. Picking anti-slip tiles is a brilliant choice as it enhances safety. Acid-etched concrete is another alternative. Although rugs can improve interior aesthetics, they are hard to maintain, especially after a few coffee spills.

Sustainability and cost efficiency

Optimizing spaces with an ergonomic design that combines function, efficiency, and design makes it easier for employees to multi-task and work effectively. This might also lead to cost savings without affecting the quality of service. The materials, furniture, and furnishings selected should be durable to reduce maintenance and replacement costs.

A sustainable plan will include everything from preparing the food to delivering, packaging along with optimal use of food, water, and energy resources in kitchen and dining areas. Using green building materials will create a healthy indoor environment for the café. Recycling and efficiency to reduce waste in all areas should be planned accordingly.

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New restaurant operators have a lot to decide. How am I going to fund my restaurant’s launch? Where am I going to set up my restaurant? What kind of people do I want to work with? There’s an often forgotten, yet critical question: which business entity should I use for my restaurant? While that’s not the most exciting question, restaurateurs need to answer it before getting into day-to-day operations.

Restaurant owners generally choose from one of five primary business types, but many choose to form a limited liability company (LLC). Read on to learn about these five business entities and why LLCs are such a popular choice.

One thing to note — business structures can get complex due to strict requirements around tax treatment, liabilities, and owner/stakeholder restrictions. Make sure to consult an accountant or other advisor before getting started.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship (or “sole prop” for short) is great for those looking to jump right into doing business. As its name implies, a sole proprietorship is owned by a single person and is an unincorporated business. 

This simplicity lets sole props get up and running very quickly. However, most sole props generally need to take a few steps before getting started, such as getting a DBA (Doing Business As) and any required licenses and permits, such as food safety training or a cottage food operator license.

There is one significant drawback for a standard sole prop — you’ll be on the hook for business liabilities, since there’s no personal liability protection. For this reason, many sole proprietors still end up forming an LLC to help protect their personal assets.

Example: Sandra wants to sell homemade cookies during her free time just for fun. Since she is going into business alone, has a low-risk food item, and wants to get started ASAP, she decides to go ahead as a sole proprietorship.

Partnership

A partnership is a business where two or more people own and operate the business together. There are a few types of partnership structures that dictate the division of responsibilities and liabilities across partners. We’ll focus on a couple of types below.

• General partnership (GP): the simplest form of a partnership because it is not an incorporated business. To get started, the partners should agree on their roles, ownership, and responsibilities — ideally in a written document in case conflicts arise. GPs can be composed of individuals but can also include other entities, such as partnerships, LCCs, and corporations.
• Limited liability partnership (LLP): effectively the partnership version of an LLC described later in this article, an LLP provides limited liability for partners, generally in the form of protection against another partner’s actions. LLP requirements are state-specific and generally don’t have as much liability protection as an LLC.

Example: Giovanna and Parker are siblings that have always wanted to start a food truck together. They work great as a team and trust that they’ll split everything 50/50. To get started quickly, they decide to form a general partnership.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

The LLC is popular for many types of businesses because owners of an LLC have limited personal liability. Owners of an LLC are referred to as “members” and can be individuals, corporations, or even other LLCs. LLCs are formed at the state level, so regulations can vary. Members can use a written Operating Agreement to dictate current and future roles and responsibilities as well as the LLC’s management structure — just in case problems arise with certain members. An LLC can be a great choice for food and beverage business owners looking to grow while protecting their personal assets from liability.

Example: Lieu has long dreamt of branching out of her family restaurant business with a pho restaurant of her own. Recently, some childhood friends told her they’d love to invest and work alongside her. Since they’re launching a restaurant business with multiple stakeholders, they decide to form an LLC to limit their personal liability.

What Business Category is a Restaurant?

Restaurants, bars, and other similar businesses generally fall under the “food and drink” category within the hospitality industry, which falls under the broader service industry. While forming or operating your business, you’ll also come across several business category codes. 

We’ve listed some common ones alongside an example usage of each below. 

• Merchant Category Code (MCC): Used by card networks such as Visa and Mastercard to determine interchange fees. MCCs also factor into chargebacks when a business is using an incorrect MCC.
• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code: Used by the government to classify businesses for statistical data. The IRS’s Principal Business Activity codes are based on the NAICS.
• Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code: Used by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to classify businesses that need to file with them.

Restaurant Business Structures

Whichever business structure you choose, be sure to consult with professionals like lawyers and accountants to make sure you’re set up for success.

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The restaurant industry is huge, with plenty of profit to go around. However, owning a restaurant requires knowledge of the location, menu, hours of operation and more. It also entails creating a solid business plan that not only outlines how you plan to be successful, but also includes a lot of research and understanding of your potential competitors. While dining out took a huge hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants are now starting to see a big increase in customers are consumers get back to a normal way of life. So, while restauranteurs can feel comfortable knowing a solid customer base is there, there is still a lot to consider when opening a restaurant to ensure success.

1. Restaurant name

Have you ever been chatting with a friend who said they went to a place with an intriguing name and then immediately asked them, “What’s that?” That’s the power of an attention-grabbing, memorable restaurant name. You want to come up with a word (or two or three) that both reflects your restaurant concept and lingers on the mind.

The name you choose should stand out not just in conversation, but on listing websites. Think about it: When you’re faced with a big list of options on Yelp or Google Maps, don’t you find yourself drawn to the most interesting names? Make sure your restaurant is one of those.

2. Staff

A restaurant is a huge operation. You’ll need to hire hosts, servers, cooks, dishwashers and all kinds of other people. Read up on common restaurant roles and the number of employees typical for restaurants of sizes similar to yours. Then, hire accordingly.

3. Funding

A fully functional restaurant requires a location, a sizable staff, tons of kitchen equipment and plenty of other resources, all of which quickly become costly. Chances are you don’t just have the money lying around to cover this all, so among the key things to consider when opening a restaurant is how you’ll fund your operations.

4. Location

Wherever you decide to set up shop, be sure your restaurant is visible. It should be easily spotted from the street on which it resides. Your parking lot is almost as important as your restaurant’s space, especially if it’s unique compared to its competition. If a customer can’t find a place to park, you’ve lost business. Restaurants located off a highway are often busy.

5. Menu

This is a big consideration when you’re planning to open a restaurant. Study the food trends, and if they line up with your restaurant’s concept, you should consider them for your menu. There are a few menu must-haves that you should include, such as meatless options for vegans and vegetarians, kids’ options so families can dine at your place, and a few desserts. You also want to consider the price for each menu item. Cost-saving menus include meals that use the same ingredients, so plan carefully.

6. Hours

It’s important to understand that as a restaurant owner, you won’t have the luxury of taking days or holidays off. This isn’t a 40-hours-per-week job. Expect to spend most of your time at the restaurant working with your staff, paying vendors, talking with customers, planning menus, and reviewing profit and loss reports. It’s a rewarding career choice, but it’s also a time-consuming one.

7. Marketing

Have a plan to get the word out about your new restaurant. You can take advantage of the many social media platforms to market it. You should also look into joining restaurant coalitions so you can work with other restaurateurs to cross-promote. Many cities promote local businesses, so join a chamber of commerce and participate in food festivals to get the word out.

8. Delegation

It can be difficult to trust others with your restaurant, but prioritizing and delegating is a must in this industry. You cannot do everything yourself, so be sure to hire and train staff to your specifications and then let go.

9. Licensing and permits

Before you can open the doors to your restaurant, you need to make sure you apply for the proper licenses and permits. There may be several inspections you must pass before you can begin operation. Reach out to your city government to find out what you need for your restaurant. You also need to consider state and federal requirements, so do your homework long before you set a date for your grand opening.

10. Equipment and services

In addition to having all of the needed kitchen equipment and tools that you will need, there are a number of other services and tools that you will need when running a business. This includes things like:

• Restaurant management system
• Reservation software
• Top POS system
• Highly rated credit card processing service

11. Target customers

The type of customers you want to attract will affect the type of restaurant you want to operate. It’s important to consider the income level, the age and the lifestyle of the customers you want to attract. For instance, do you want to attract customers that typically take their time while eating? Will your target audience be willing to travel to the restaurant? How much money will they be willing to pay for their meal? Is your target customer available early morning, late evening and/or at any time during the month? Once you know the answers to these questions, you will have a clearer vision about the type of restaurant you want to own, the menu, the price range and even the decor.

12. Competition

Before signing the lease on a restaurant, it is essential that you know what your competition is. Be sure to visit as many of the restaurants in the area as possible. Visiting your competition gives you a chance to identify their strengths as well as their weaknesses, which gives you a competing edge. Look for their customer’s preferences so you can implement them into your restaurant, and recognize their failures and successes in order to learn what to do and what not to do.

13. Business plan

Without a detailed, well-organized business plan, you will not be able to bring the dream of owning a restaurant to life. The business plan is used to outline the entire journey you’ll take to open and operate a restaurant; it explains in detail how the restaurant will take shape and how it will operate once you open the doors. You will use your business plan to guide you through getting funding from potential investors to the projected financial plan.

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