3 Keys to a Proper Restaurant Grand Opening

Launching a new restaurant takes a lot of planning, hard work, and commitment, and anyone who says differently has never opened a restaurant. The restaurant industry is one of the hardest for business owners to survive in, but the way an eatery opens often sets the tone for that establishment going forward.

Grand opening events are monumental for new restaurant owners. They allow the local community to come and see what you’ve been building and get a feel for your eatery’s environment and menu. Indeed, your grand opening event is the first night of the rest of your restaurant’s life, so it’s incumbent upon you to ensure it goes swimmingly, if not regally. It might sound like a lot of pressure, and that’s because it is. The good news is we’re here with some tips to help you throw a grand opening event that will keep your patrons coming back to your establishment for seconds and thirds.

1. Invest in high-quality restaurant equipment and furnishings.

Certainly, you’re familiar with the saying, “First impressions are lasting impressions,” right? Nowhere is that phrase truer than in the restaurant industry. From the moment patrons enter the doors of your establishment, they’re looking around for signs that they’re in the wrong place, so you want to make sure there are none.

The first thing you should do is thoroughly clean your establishment to make sure there’s nothing out of place nor a speck of dust in sight. If you bought your establishment from a previous owner, it’s a good idea to buy everything new, from kitchen appliances to glassware and silverware. If you’re in the Kennesaw, WA, area, the Restaurant Warehouse is the go-to Tri City restaurant equipment supplier. They offer leasing and financing options on new equipment and have all the restaurant supplies you need for a great grand opening and continued high-quality service.

2. Promote your event on social channels.

As you know, social media has become one of the most common ways for people to communicate. It’s also the most effective way for new companies to increase their brand awareness. It’s imperative that you create a social media presence for your eatery and use your social network to spread awareness about your upcoming event.

Content videos are one of the most impactful ways to attract potential customers. It’s a good idea to contract photography and videography services for your event to share on social media channels. Posting footage of your event is a great way to show people what an awesome time they can have at your establishment.

3. Create a curated menu for your grand opening event.

It’s also a good idea to create a special menu for your grand opening. In fact, rather than treating it as a regular business night, it’s a good idea to cater the event yourself to encourage customers to try your best (and most expensive) menu items.

Your grand opening is more than just the first day of business for your new restaurant. It will also set the tone for your establishment going forward, so make sure your event is all it can be. It’s a good idea to bring out the fancy dinnerware and furnishings to create the perfect atmosphere for your grand opening celebration. It’s also vital that you promote the event on social media and even invite a video production company to capture the event for you. Finally, create a menu especially for the event and offer low prices to get people to try several dishes.

Your grand opening event should be the beginning of a long and successful business venture. Of course, you can’t build a successful restaurant on a single event, but you can build the anticipation in your local area and become the new food joint that everyone wants to try for themselves.