Hotels, restaurants, and cafés all start somewhere. It takes dedicated business owners who combine the right amount of luck and marketing with a little management know-how. If you have sights set on the HoReCa industry, then there are a few things you need to know before launching your startup.
This guide is here to help you maximize your startup venture by covering essential first steps. By checking off each item on this list, you’ll be well on your way to success.
Licenses and Permits
Before looking anywhere else, you should start this venture by looking into the licenses and permits you’ll need in order for your business to operate. The first things you’ll need are a business license and Employer Identification Number, allowing you to operate your establishment and meet IRS requirements.
Next, look into food service and liquor licenses. A less-known permit required to serve meals is a food handler’s permit, which ensures you workers meet regulations on things like sanitation and storage. Depending on your state, locality, and the nature of your business, you might also need a permit or license for:
- Live entertainment and music
- Pool tables
- Dumpster replacement
- Signs
- Certificate of occupancy
- Building health
- Sales and sales tax
- Valet parking
During this phase, you should also consider where the exact location of your establishment will be. It also helps to ensure your name of choice isn’t already taken, and to go over your budget one more time. If you need help with specific permits, there are plenty of professionals available. Monshaugen & Van Huff are well-known for helping establishments secure liquor licenses, for instance.
Building a Business
You probably have a solid plan for how your business will generate a ROI, along with other aspects that will set your establishment apart from the competition. Both of those are necessary, but you also need a plan to reach your market audience.
Take the time to research which consumers frequent HoReCa locations, what their interests are, and how they shape the current industry landscape. The closer you pinpoint your audience, the easier it is to market to them. From there, consider how you will promote your business.
Looking internally, how will this startup function? Do you have a handful of friends or relatives that will become your employees, or are you hiring workers? What management tactics are in place to monitor their work?
Your employees can make or break your startup during its critical, first stages. Once the doors are open, you need to know everyone is working to make your venture a success. Since you can’t be everywhere at once, it helps to use employee monitoring software like Clockspot.
Not only does this simplify your schedules and timetables, it also helps you create payroll in a matter of minutes. That provides extra time for you to focus on running your business both upfront and behind the scenes. Even better, you can keep track of remote employees who may be helping with marketing or finances.
