Opening a restaurant or bar is all about location, location, location. However, not every restaurant/bar is suitable for every location, and vice versa. It comes down to a combination of restaurant concept and ideal customer. If you can define your restaurant type and identify your target demographic and its most populated areas, you’ll be well on your way to choosing a Choosing a Location For Your Restaurant or Bar Business in Kenya that sets your business up for success.
Opening a restaurant or bar is all about location, location, location.
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Visibility Is Important
Setting up shop in a location with either high foot or vehicle traffic is ideal. Making your restaurant (or restaurant sign) visible to the public is like free advertising. It reminds them that your restaurant exists and they should stop by for a meal or a drink.
Parking Is Essential
People are lazy. There is just no way around it. If they have to walk a fair distance to get to your restaurant/bar, they may opt to go somewhere else “more convenient.” If you’re setting up in a central area (like the CBD) where everyone walks and there is public transportation, this is less of a factor. If you are thinking of a restaurant location out of town, in a place that requires you to drive to get there, you’d better have parking available. If your restaurant location in Kenya doesn’t come with a large parking lot, is it near a public (city/county) parking lot for patrons to use?
Size Does Matter
Even the smallest fast food or coffee shop requires adequate space for a kitchen, walk-in refrigerator, dry storage and an office for paperwork. Your eating area needs space for a wait-station. What looks like a huge space for rent can quickly fill up with all the equipment needed to open a restaurant.
Understand the Curse
Some restaurant location in Kenya house one failed restaurant after another. Soon people associate the space – not necessarily the individual restaurant- with bad service, poor food, and lackluster ambiance.
Know Your Neighbors
When looking for a restaurant location, consider who else is doing business in the neighborhood. Are there already half a dozen restaurants with the same concept as yours? Is the area busy or full of empty storefronts? Successful businesses attract other successful businesses.
If You Build It, They Won’t Always Come
Many restaurants are located off the beaten path and do quite well. But choosing to open a restaurant out of town, in a remote area is a gamble. Customers might visit for special occasions, but not on a regular basis.
You Can Negotiate Your Restaurant Lease
Many people are surprised to find out that they can haggle with prospective landlords about a lease. Not just about the monthly rent, but also about who pays for things like garbage collection, security and general maintenance. Don’t be afraid to ask for concessions when looking to rent restaurant location in Kenya
Don’t Be Impulsive; Take Your Time
You may visit one spot and decide that it is “the one.” Before you start sketching out the dining room, be sure to visit multiple sites. And visit prospective restaurant sites during different times of days, during the week and on weekends. For example, is the area really busy during the work day and dead at night and on weekends? Patience pays off when selecting a restaurant location in Kenya
Understand the Commitment You Are Making
Before you sign a multi-year lease, consider the consequences if your restaurant fails. It isn’t pleasant to think about, but if you are roped into a five or ten-year lease, your landlord can still demand monthly rent, even if you are out of businesses. Ask for a one or two year lease to start. Once you have established a successful restaurant, you can sign a longer lease.
In order to succeed in the Restaurant/Bar industry, you need to be smart and use our Restaurant Software in Kenya . Get in touch today with us today via email or call +254 715 103 468 and see your business grow!