Alisa Newey

Growing a business and opening new restaurants is no easy task and often business owners don’t know where to start. The gap between mum and dad business owners that open one successful restaurant and the leading brands that open a new restaurant every couple of weeks seems vast. Having worked alongside food business owners to open new restaurants for the past three years, Alisa Newey has first-hand knowledge of the key problems that hold business back from growth. Alisa has developed a framework that overcomes the main challenges to growing a food business. Most importantly she teaches people to understand the design and fit out process so that they can get started on opening new restaurants with confidence. This process will work for both owner operated business and established restaurateurs who want to expand their business. Open Restaurants that Flourish will run you through the process to; 1. Create an experience for your customers You will identify the customers you want to attract and the experience you want to create to set your restaurants apart from the competition. Your customer experience is based on identifying your target customer, defining your point of difference and communicating your brand story. This experience starts when your customers first hear about your business, continues throughout your marketing communications and needs to be reflected in the dining experience. Your brand is more than just your logo and business name. It is the experience and personality your customers associate with your business. The key is to create a remarkable customer experience that will attract the right customers to make your restaurants thrive. 2. Find a winning location Finding the right location is a critical factor in the success of each new site. In the right location, your restaurants will attract customers easily, generate more sales and become highly profitable. Understanding what to look for when choosing a location can save you from making costly mistakes. The key is to find a winning location and a site than works for your business model. 3. Create a WOW restaurant design Hospitality design is all about taking your customers on a journey. Creating an experience that captures the personality of your brand and communicates this through the look and feel of your restaurants will attract the right customers. Then there is the functional part of design, creating a layout that works for your business model. The key to a great restaurant design is creating a memorable experience for your customers and an efficient service flow for your team. 4. Manage approvals with an expert team This is the part of the process that many business owners struggle with. The key is to know what needs to be done and who is responsible for completing different tasks. This will help you manage time frames and give you the peace of mind that everything is under control. 5. Build to budget Understanding the costs associated with a fit-out upfront will allow you to ascertain whether opening a new site is viable for your business. Having a realistic budget, understanding the finance options and managing the costs will limit your financial risk. The key to opening restaurants without blowing your budget is managing costs through the design and fit-out process. Understanding the role your site, your designer and your builder all play in determining the fit-out costs will leave you feeling in control of your budget. 6. Plan for future growth Your new restaurant will give you the opportunity to review what works, correct any mistakes and make changes before unrolling future sites. If you are looking to open additional outlets, you need to be in control of the process and launch your sites on schedule. The key is to refine a profitable business model and create strong recognition as you grow your brand.