7.
Re: restaurant startup Jan 16, 2009 4:23 PM

in response to:
loan guy
thanks ... 2-4 weeks wouldn't be bad if I could in fact get financing - the only problem with time that I have is the location not being available.
My plan is to build a kitchen with gas and electric cooktops, 2 double/1 single electric convection ovens, proofer cabinet, built in warmer drawers and 2 microwaves -- 1 for the kitchen and 1 for the waitress station -- these and all cooking equipment I plan to purchase. Instead of deep fryers that require 5 gallons of grease I would like to use countertop flash fryers for french fries, etc. and cast iron skillets for fried chicken, fish, etc. -- did I mention I'm from the deep south? (: Instead of an expensive charbroiler, I have found an 'addon' to use with the gas cooktop, one side is a grill and the other is a charbroiler and if this won't work I have found an inexpensive countertop charbroiler. Ice maker, refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher I would like to lease these, and right now I'm unsure about the steam table. I was told last week that some companies provide dishwashers if you purchase their chemicals, that would be great if that's the case. S/S tables/prep stations/dish tables and s/s sinks I would try to buy used, those would be easy to replace later with new if they need be. My biggest concern/expense is the hood ventilation/fire system, they're not cheap. The dining room won't be a problem at all, I will make the drapes, purchase the chairs and build/stain tables to match - my sister has an entire workshop, the only thing I have to figure out is how large to cut the table tops.
If I can get the location that I want there will be construction costs - installing a grease trap, running water and gas lines, and hood stystem and iadding another ADA approved bathroom - the bathroom won't be a problem, one of the potential landlords has a construction company and his foreman told me that would be easy to do. There are some walls that need to be moved and we can reuse the studs, but I'm not sure if we can reuse the recessesd lighting.
That's my business plan - there will be small equipment financing/leasing and I will need the funds to purchase food and meet payroll. Currently there is not a nice restaurant in the area that serves lunch, only fast food places. If I can seat 50 people and turn over the tables at least twice at a minimum of $8.50 (lunch special) and incur no further expenses (excluding insurance, taxes, etc), I should be able to get things up and going full speed within a couple of months.
what do you think?