Running a Restaurant For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) [Paperback]

Michael Garvey (Author), Andrew G. Dismore (Author), Heather H. Dismore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2011 | ISBN-10: 1118027922 | ISBN-13: 978-1118027929 | Edition: 2

The easy way to successfully run a profitable restaurant

Millions of Americans dream of owning and running their own restaurant — because they want to be their own boss, because their cooking always draws raves, or just because they love food. Running a Restaurant For Dummies covers every aspect of getting started for aspiring restaurateurs. From setting up a business plan and finding financing, to designing a menu and dining room, you'll find all the advice you need to start and run a successful restaurant.

Even if you don't know anything about cooking or running a business, you might still have a great idea for a restaurant — and this handy guide will show you how to make your dream a reality. If you already own a restaurant, but want to see it get more successful, Running a Restaurant For Dummies offers unbeatable tips and advice for bringing in hungry customers. From start to finish, you'll learn everything you need to know to succeed.

• New information on designing, re-designing, and equipping a restaurant with all the essentials—from the back of the house to the front of the house
• Determining whether to rent or buy restaurant property
• Updated information on setting up a bar and managing the wine list
• Profitable pointers on improving the bottom line
• The latest and greatest marketing and publicity options in a social-media world
• Managing and retaining key staff
• New and updated information on menu creation and the implementation of Federal labeling (when applicable), as well as infusing local, healthy, alternative cuisine to menu planning

Running a Restaurant For Dummies gives you the scoop on the latest trends that chefs and restaurant operators can implement in their new or existing restaurants.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The easy way to successfully run a profitable restaurant

If you're an aspiring restaurateur, Running a Restaurant For Dummies covers every aspect of getting started, from setting up a business plan and finding financing to designing a menu and dining room. You'll find all the advice you'll need from picking the perfect location to attracting and keeping satisfied customers, and everything in between. This updated guide helps set the table for long lasting success in the restaurant industry.

• Make it or break it — find out if you have what it takes to thrive in the restaurant business, know your options, create a concept, and pick your name

• Dot your i's and cross your t's — get the nitty gritty on finding the right location or making an existing location work, find financing for your new business, get the right permits and licenses, understand local laws, and legally protect yourself

• Before you open the doors — get advice on hiring and training your staff, developing your menu and beverage program, setting up your kitchen and dining room, and purchasing and managing inventory

• Get off the ground — discover helpful advice for maintaining your operation once it's running, like keeping diners coming back and successfully handling customer service situations

Open the book and find:

• Profitable pointers on improving the bottom line

• The 411 on franchises

• How to write a business plan

• Where to look for financing

• Updated information on current laws and industry requirements

• Information on setting up a bar and managing a wine list

• Guidance on setting up the front (and back) of the house

• Ways to use social media to market your restaurant

• How to hire, train, and manage your kitchen and wait staff

Learn to:

• Find investors and start-up cash

• Design a unique menu and manage a wine list

• Determine whether it's better to buy or rent property

About the Author

Michael Garvey is Director of Operations at 'wichcraft, a division of the renowned Craft restaurant corporation.

Heather Dismore is a professional writer who has extensive experience in the restaurant business.

Andrew G. Dismore is an award-winning professional chef.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (October 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118027922
• ISBN-13: 978-1118027929
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Hospitality Businesses
  • #86 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Hospitality, Travel & Tourism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars simple and easy to understand, November 14, 2011

By 

Sylvia M. Hubbard "AA Suspense/Intrigue Roman... (http://SylviaHubbard.com Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Running a Restaurant For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

I picked this book because I was very interested in trying to understand how to run a business.

I've working in a restaurant before and I saw all facets of fast food, but I'd never worked in other types of restaurant.

I loved the various ways they showed how to run different restaurants, yet made it simple enough to understand how to do everything generally.

The tips and sidebars were great and easy to understand as well. Love this book! Definitely didn't feel like a dummy when i was done.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for a Dummy!, January 5, 2012

By 

K. Lin "yesuaini99" (Walnut, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Running a Restaurant For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

For a dummy series book, this one is quite nice.
It really covers all the lines and dots on what you need to look out for when running a restaurant.
I bought this book for a friend of mine who recently opened a Yogurt shop.
He really had no experience running a yogurt store so I got this book for me to have some intelligent questions to ask and help him.

It covers from before you go into the business to the time after you are in business.
The preplanning issues, funding issues (the most critical part), the daily operations, the food supplies, the management issues.

It's practical and it offers a quick glance of what one would need to know before running a restaurant.

I am surprised this book can actually train a dummy into a genius.

Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, Informational Book, December 3, 2011

By 

Lara L. Covey "Lara Covey" (OC, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Running a Restaurant For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) (Paperback)

This is a great book filled with a lot of important information if taking over an established business. For the price and speed of service it is well worth it!