Opening a restaurant can be tough – especially on the King’s Road, but with the right expectations and delivery plan, you can run a successful restaurant on London’s busiest street.
In this article, we highlight some of the considerations you need to think about before taking the plunge into a whole new world of gourmet.
When opening a restaurant, you need to think about the relevant social factors that could affect the success of your business. Look at the other restaurants in the area – what are they doing right? What do you think could be better?
Are the restaurants serving similar dishes to you? There is a lot of competition out there, and even if your food is the best, people will often grab a bite for convenience over enjoyment. If a restaurant similar to yours is a road ahead of you, customers will likely nip in there first.
Unless you consider the all-important price points and level of atmosphere. In 2023, people desire the ultimate experience. From life-sized ice cream cakes to spectacular cocktails, it’s those crucial snapshot moments that truly count.
Whether you offer lower prices, a memorable dining experience or incredible dishes, providing something different to everyone else is a key selling point when standing out on the King’s Road.
As with every business in the UK, you must register for a licence to be able to open a restaurant in London. To fully validate your business as one that sells food, there are two licences you need to obtain.
A food business registration licence covers all food-based operations within the establishment, including storing, cooking, selling and distributing food. Without this, you will not be able to open a restaurant!
The second licence is available via the local council. It is essentially a food business approval, which is necessary for any restaurant that sells meat, eggs, fish or dairy products. You will not need to get this additional approval if your restaurant only serves vegan food or if the food you serve accounts for less than 25% of the complete products sold.
*You must apply for both at least 28 days before opening to the public.
The most important decision to make before opening a restaurant is finding the perfect location. Luckily, the King’s Road is the ultimate destination in London, but it’s crucial to think about your demographic, the size of the property and most importantly, accessibility in mind.
Whether you are looking for a small and cosy hot spot or an impressive abode that offers al fresco dining, the King’s Road presents an abundance of delicious options to choose from.
From head chef to sous chefs, it is crucial to hire the best of the best if you want to provide an unforgettable experience for your guests. Wait staff and restaurant managers are also essential if you want to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Often, restaurants will hire 20% over their hiring limit to ensure they keep high performers without compromising on numbers. Your team will be at the forefront of your restaurant.
Menus aren’t everything, but pairing unique dishes with a uniquely designed menu will certainly stir excitement. Make sure it’s easy to read, full of irresistible content and perhaps include visually pleasing imagery of the food and drinks available.
London is known for quirky, never-seen-before dining experiences. For your restaurant to truly stand out, you need some drop-dead gorgeous decor to entice tourists and locals inside. Take Peggy Porschen for example, their brilliant floral and pink outdoor arrangements have built an impressive reputation as one of London’s most Instagrammable cafes. Sometimes it really is all about your image.
Be sure to invite friends, family and local celebrities to try the wonders of your restaurant by hosting numerous pre-launch events. This allows you to iron out any difficulties or hidden considerations you may have not thought about before realising them in real-time. It also gives you a chance to hear honest feedback from loved ones before taking the plunge.
The first few weeks of opening are essential for success. After that, it’s more than possible to keep the momentum going and create a restaurant where everyone wants to eat. Looking for a spot on the King’s Road? Get in touch with us today to discover more about our properties.