What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to your opening?

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were planning and opening your restaurant?
 
What would you have done differently?
 
 

Seen a Shrink and ask him what the heck am I getting myself into.

Nothing. At least that I can think of. I have done this sort of stuff before, but I was still nervous as hell and did make mistakes. I honestly do not know of anything I could have done differently. I just popped up one day down the street from the house. It was a fun experience, as I knew most of my customers already, they were my neighbors. I stayed there for around 10 weeks and then moved on to my present location at the mall. Going to have my grand opening next week as the weather is finally warming up. Been down for three months and need to get back to work!

From day one start collecting customer details - name, email, cell phone, birthday, etc. Set up a marketing communications strategy and rewards program.
 
Do not leave implementation to chance but automate the process. You will get busy & then no time to market. Your ability to market effectively will determine the success of your restaurant not the food you deliver!
 
Market! Market! Market!
 
Let me know if you want more specific info.

You ONLY have one chance to make the first impression, so make it a good one. If the first day of business you do not make a good impression, it will be an uphill battle from there. I understand it now from  opening 2 places brand new. Make it good,  pratice before your 1st opening, I wish I did that. There will always be small  mistakes and opening blues, but it should be professional and smooth. Only thing you have to remember - you have one chance to make an impression.
 
Best of everything to you,
Ellen from SuperDog

i wonder what would happen if 5000 marketing students all hit that website at once............... and then staid there for a few days ????

OK, whats mu post count up to now?