It’s every cook’s dream to have a restaurant and at some point, everyone wants to prepare themselves to chase this dream and have enough resources to make it come true.
Therefore here we are, we have scorched the internet to bring you all the information on how to start a fast food restaurant in London.
It is an exciting venture to start your fast-food restaurant, even more so when it is in the bustling city of London. The only business you can surely succeed in is the food business.
But as much as it is sure to win business, many things are in the way. let us first understand what it takes to open a fast-food restaurant in London.
We the term ‘Fast Food restaurant’ for businesses that sell affordable food with good portions, and deliver that food in as little time as possible.
It is comprised of companies that sell food through delivery websites such as Deliveroo and JustEat.
From Market research, branding, costs, legal regulations, permits, and budgeting we have tried covering every single aspect of how to start a fast-food restaurant in London.
Let us get to it then.
Contents
Types of Fast restaurant in London
The menu of a takeaway restaurant is the key feature that determines your success in the business, there are a lot of options out there but what appeals to a takeaway is the food, not the staff, not the ambience, and not the decor. Simply the food and how good it tastes.
- Go Green: Not the runner beans or Brussels sprouts but a lifestyle of running your business in an ethical and sustainable environment-friendly manner. There are permits for those.
- Japanese: The Gohan (food) of Japanese people has always been a curiosity in the West, especially sushi and noodles.
- Vegan: A lot of people are going for meat-free diets and committing to a more vegetarian lifestyle. Vegan diets are pretty popular.
How to Start a Fast Food Restaurant in London
Once you are down with the concept of your restaurant, now comes the part where you think about your competitors, the legalities of establishing a food-related business in the UK, and the matter of costs.
1. Market research
We always suggest a new startup to research the market before starting any business.
Get a deep understanding of the local market of your area, the rate at which you procure raw food for your restaurant, what the suppliers charge to another restaurant, and how many suppliers are there.
The demands of locals for a fast food place and most importantly your competition and you will show yourself as different and original.
2. Business Plan
Your business plan will include your target market, and how you will meet their specific needs. A menu that pushes you for both profit and competition.
3. Marketing Strategy
I think marketing strategy is the most important portion of growing and running any business.
A marketing strategy for pushing forward your name, to attract and retain customers. An initial marketing campaign through advertisement, social media, and promotions.
You will need your logo and banner designed, along with a simple website and Google information so people can easily find you.
I think you must set up your social media pages to attract more organic customers and spread awareness.
6. Financial Projections
Your research will inform you about the initial costs of leasing premises, Kitchen Equipment, furniture, decor, design and layout, food suppliers, marketing, staff, and logistics.
All these will be included in your start-up cost, and next up are your revenue forecasts and a break-even analysis. This will give you a clear picture of your restaurant’s financial visibility.
7. Organizational Structure
A big chunk of consideration is a polite, attentive and helpful staff when visiting a food place, you will need to hire, and train reliable staff.
You will need Chefs, Cashiers, and servers. You would conduct interviews for skilled talents for well-known customer service standards.
Legal Structure and Permits
An important thing to consider when establishing your restaurant is to find your premises.
In the United Kingdom, it is essential that what you buy or rent has the right class of use, otherwise you will have to apply for a ‘change of use’.
All of this requires careful planning for which you need plans drawn including environment and noise formats.
Permits and Licences
Once you have the planning permission you need a food hygiene licence from your local authority. An environmental protection officer will visit your place to make sure everything is in order. They will ask for waste contracts, hygiene certificates, pest control contracts etc.
They will also check if the equipment meets the restaurant’s requirements for example, stainless steel workshops, washing facilities, freezers, chillers and everything else that may be required.
In case you want to serve alcohol you will need a personal license by retail, if you want to serve your customers between 11 pm and 5 am you will need another license under the 2003 Act by the local authority.
All of the above of course comes at a fee and the gran of a premises licence increases the costs. But once you get a good idea of all the processes you will be able to overcome it soon.
FAQ’s
How much do you need to open a restaurant in London?
It depends on a lot of factors such as the location, the staff, your supplier, along other costs, a rough estimate would be 100,000 pounds to 200,000 pounds.
How much does it cost to open a takeaway in London?
If you are thinking of a small takeaway shop, then you will need money for the equipment. When we talk about starting small, an initial investment of let’s say anything between 20,000 pounds and 40,000 pounds, but if you doing it from your home then you will need 5,000 pounds to start with.
Does fast food make a profit?
While running a fast food business you can expect a profit margin of six to nine per cent. A simple menu can suggest that orders can be made in bulk and there will be no food waste.
Conclusion
We hope we have covered the most important points on how to start a fast food restaurant in London. The rules and regulations are such that they apply throughout the United Kingdom. If you like this article consider checking out out other articles.