Starting a fast-food restaurant requires a business plan.
Success in any new business begins with a business plan, and a fast-food restaurant is no exception. Business plans open with an executive summary, which is an overview of the information provided throughout the plan. The business plan functions like a blueprint that guides the business owners from the start-up into the first three to five years of operation. A start-up business plan for a fast-food restaurant documents every detail of how the location will operate.
Executive Summary
The executive summary estimates how much funding will be required to start and operate the fast food restaurant until it becomes profitable. Income projections for the first three to five years also should be identified in the executive summary.
A description of the proposed fast-food restaurant, which identifies the unique aspects of the operation, should be included in the executive summary. The break-even date is an important milestone in any start-up business plan and must be identified in the executive summary.
Even though the executive summary is placed at the beginning of the business plan document, it should be the last part written. You need to have the content of the plan for your restaurant in place before you can draft an executive summary.
Restaurant Concept
The concept, theme and type of cuisine to be served are essential components that should be documented in detail in the fast-food restaurant start-up business plan.
Start-Up Expenses
The restaurant start-up business plan budget must document each anticipated expense. There will be one-time start-up costs, such as initial construction, building alterations and equipment and furniture purchases. Administrative costs, such as a business license, permits and labor, also are included in the start-up business plan for a restaurant. Ongoing expenses, such as packaging and supplies, also should be included.
Budgets
The start-up budget identifies the costs to open the fast-food restaurant. Every business has fixed expenses and variable expenses. The fixed expenses are expenses that are the same every month, such as mortgage payments and utilities. Variable expenses can occur monthly, quarterly or annually, such as marketing activities and advertising expenses. Emergency repairs would be an example of a variable expense.
Marketing and Advertising
Advertising and marketing plans are essential components in a restaurant business plan. The advertising and marketing plans determine what methods will be implemented to promote the restaurant. Media advertising campaigns, such as print and television and network marketing, are examples of marketing and advertising plans.
Advertising and marketing account executives assist restaurant owners in the development of newspaper advertisements, radio ads and marketing activities. Marketing activities, such as participating in Chamber of Commerce events, are popular methods of promoting a restaurant.
