An apron really is just like a cape on backwards. Opening a new restaurant at any time takes an enormous amount of blood, sweat and beers. But achieving success with a new restaurant in 2021 takes a truly superhuman effort.
With staff challenges, square metre rules and lockdowns, it’s not surprising if you feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, especially if you’re planning a new restaurant or have recently opened.
How to open a restaurant in Australia
We’re here to spill the beans. With change comes opportunity. Opening a restaurant in Australia or starting a new café post-Covid-19 gives you the chance to put in place lessons from other cafés and restaurants from the start.
Be prepared to butter up your influencers, look after staff well and be proactive about hygiene and safety.
This article covers 5 of the main challenges and solutions worth considering if you’re starting a new café or restaurant.
5 challenges and how to overcome them
1. Creating & Managing Reputation
Reputation is all about perception – how people view your brand and its values.
There’s no single secret ingredient to building a strong reputation when you’re starting a café
or opening a restaurant in Australia. Like the ultimate succulent slow-roasted pork belly,
building a reputation takes time.
It’s initially about attracting customers and sharing promos like a pro:
- Opening offers like BOGO (buy one get one) deals.
- Advertise on social media, in online directories or Google Ads.
- Offer a loyalty program.
- Host a soft opening for friends and family; and a grand opening for influencers.
- Appeal to hungry eyes by sharing insta-worthy images.
But hold the applause. When it comes to reputation, “the best defence is a good offence” says Margarita
Hakobyan at business.com. That means proactively building your reputation
over the long-term too.
- Exceed customer expectations. Ask customers for feedback so you can continuously improve.
- Maintain consistent service quality through staff training and development.
- Partner with the right influencers and get involved with local events.
- DIY food-porn on social media - use fabulous photos and research the most relevant hashtags.
- Use email marketing to connect with customers via offers, news and events.
- Build partnerships and show commitment to the local community. For example, add an optional charity donation for every customer purchase to a local cause you care about.
Turn fans into advocates by inviting reviews on Google My Business,
Facebook or order platforms.
2. Finding loyal staff & keeping them
Finding and keeping loyal staff is an enduring issue in the Hospo industry and even more challenging when you're starting a restaurant post-Covid-19.
Julia Child’s famous quote, “start out with a larger pot than what you think you need”, can equally apply to staffing. In a post-Covid-19 world, the staffing pot needs to be larger, giving you a broader pool to draw from.
What to look for when hiring
- History of loyalty.
- Commitment to customer service.
- Tech-savvy and interested in tech adoption.
- Cross skilling.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Listening.
- Ability to handle stress and resolve conflicts.
- Teamwork.
- Brand alignment.
The hospitality industry can be a challenging place to work. But it’s easy to develop a culture where staff want to come to work and feel appreciated. Shared tips, team-building exercises, flexibility and staff events are the cherry on top for Hospo staff.
3. Keeping up with changing health & safety requirements
Changing health and safety requirements in a post-Covid-19 era can be a bitter pill to swallow for new restaurant and café owners. It helps to know where to go for the latest information and to chat with other owners to find out what’s worked for them.
Diners are required to use government apps to check into venues in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT.
In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, government apps are available but not mandatory.
Changing health and safety requirements in a post-Covid-19 era can be a bitter pill to swallow for new restaurant and café owners. It helps to know where to go for the latest information and to chat with other owners to find out what’s worked for them.
Diners are required to use government apps to check into venues in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, government apps are available but not mandatory.
Essential information
- Advice for food businesses on general health and hygiene.
- What to do if staff have symptoms or test positive for Covid-19.
- Staying up to date - handy links to guidelines in each state.
- General hygiene information for workers and customers.
- Cleaning tips and FAQs.
- Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws.
How to keep up with changes
- Subscribe to updates in your state.
- Keep an eye on state premier announcements.
- Get the Safe Work Australia email updates.
- Check out goodfood.com.au and other industry publications.
4. Outdoor dining areas
While outdoor dining is not possible for all businesses, many councils have now relaxed rules. If you have room for al fresco, it’s a fantastic opportunity to expand your offering or even develop themed events like Sunday arvo sesh or a “grill and chill” zone.
Creating a little slice of heaven outside doesn’t have to be costly, but it should be on-brand.
Some creative ideas:
- Recycle and upcycle – make it part of your theme.
- Second-hand furniture and fittings – try Gumtree or second-hand Hospo outlets.
- Check Pinterest for outdoor restaurant seating ideas.
- Visit the local tip shop.
- Get cosy with weatherproof cushions and lounges.
Make your space as warm as toast in winter with gas heaters and/or screens and stay cool in summer with umbrellas and shading.
5. Investing in new technologies
Tech is the secret sauce of success when you’re starting a restaurant in post-Covid Australia. Even if tech isn't your thing, investing in technology pre-launch will ultimately save you time and money.
New businesses have the edge over established ones that are still trying to adapt old school systems. Automating digital menus, ordering and payment, contactless delivery and takeaway will set you up for success from the start.
What to look for in Hospo-tech:
- On-brand QR code menus.
- Customer-focused ordering.
- Integration with online payment and accounting systems.
- Flexibility to make changes easily.
- Support efficient operations such as throttling kitchen orders in busy times.
A yummier dining experience
As superman said, sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and the trust part comes later. Applying lessons learned by established restaurants from the get-go makes stepping into the unknown a little easier.
Are you wondering how to open a restaurant in Australia? Our low-cost tips are: proactively manage your reputation, create a positive workplace culture, prioritise health and safety, and embrace outdoor dining.
With HungryHungry, you can create a deliciously profitable, sustainable Hospo business with digital menus and contactless ordering. We’re helping over 1,500 businesses like Royal Stacks to unlock mouth-watering food moments for their customers and fork-yeah business success.
“The HungryHungry platform is … THE ULTIMATE RESTAURANT accessory. It really puts the power of our menu in the hands of our customers. The ease of ordering for customers makes the workflow really powerful and efficient.” – Royal Stacks.
