Posted on 03/02/2010 4:33:18 PM PST by Yaelle
In this economy, even Rush Limbaugh said to turn your luck around by creating your own destiny, doing what you'd love to do. What if you would love to buy a pub, and such an opportunity is before you?
Have any of you done this? What were some of the pitfalls? What are the big decisions that factor into whether or not to take the plunge?
The opportunity that presents itself in this instance is of small capacity, maybe 50 persons, light and airy, with a kitchen for pub food as well. Location could be listed as "Could NOT be any better." Water view, tourist and local favorite area, plenty of foot traffic.
The long work day, or no free evenings, weekends, and holidays, does not frighten us.
Funny you should ask - check out the first toon on this site: http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/2010/02/
Keep it in the family, and go for it.
I also agree about the smokers.. I dont smoke anymore, but I spent alot of time in bars before and the two go together so you want to be packed everynight? Have a SMOKE ROOM inside or if in a warm climate outside. In Florida, some bars have no windows so you can smoke inside because of the draft.
Happy Hours and free taxi rides to the bar/home a big plus.
The right bartender makes all the difference.
A pub needs to cultivate a good “family” of regulars.
I think we will need to find all of Gordon Ramsey’s show online PRONTO - we’ve never seen it! Thanks.
Pray about it. We will pray as well for your good discernment.
Another idea is to also run it as a Cafe during early hours (pending regulation) to make money off the morning crowd as well. You could offer breakfast pastries and basic breakfast menu items.
As far as the lunch and dinner menu is considered...
Keep it short and simple. Make it easy to cook the food.
BTW also play off the foodservice suppliers in your area for the best deals on food.
My husband and I have been talking about doing something similar. We have a friend who has owned one for about 20 years and he has all kinds of on-the-job experience. One main thing is the employees; he has had a problem with employees who have drug habits, I guess late-night bar type jobs sometimes attract these types. Their personal problems have caused him some work problems. Be careful in who you employ.
I'd want to know why such a successful business was for sale.
http://www.restaurantowner.com/public/302.cfm
Several years ago, researchers at Cornell University and Michigan State University conducted a study of restaurants in three local markets over a 10-year period. They concluded the following: After the first year 27% of restaurant startups failed; after three years, 50% of those restaurants were no longer in business; and after five years 60% had gone south. At the end of 10 years, 70% of the restaurants that had opened for business a decade before had failed. Those are far different numbers than a 90% failure rate after the first year quoted by our television star chef. Another academic research study concluded that 81.4% of all small business failures result from forces within the control of the owners/managers. The bottom line is that even if the failure rate is a little daunting, failure is not inevitable.
entrepreneur.com have articles on owning a bar or pub
In CA...good weather? If you have the space, create an outdoor smoking patio. There’s a place here that made a large outdoor smoking patio and it is wildly popular when the weather is nice.
Ha ha! Yeah, Obama is not helping...
Good luck with a liquor license, but beer and wine is easy enough, with food particularly.
Zoning laws?
Start-up capital? Shopped for equipment yet? Priced any? Be realistic, it will cost more than you think.How will "stuff" arrive? Will it all be shipped to you? How much, how often, will you personally need to procure your own goods? This one, can be yet another persistent chore.
What competition is there? What/who is or would be your targeted clientele?
Freepmail me your locale?
Darn good advice! Its a cold cruel world.
parsy
I worked as a waitress in a pub one summer. In my experience, it’s very hard work, and requires one to be on their feet most of the time. Long hours, hard work and the ability to connect with the public are essential. That being said, it can be great for those who have stamina, understand the business end of it, and love being around people. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide!
” I’d love some more details. Extreme local gov’t is good, but of course we are within the great state of Culliforneeah...And we are not nuts for CONSIDERING it, are we?”
Naa, I’m just trying to get you ready for the reality of it. Running your own business is overwhelming, be it California, or probably, biblical Israel. It’s just the way things are. If you accept that challenge and understand what’s coming...then you are ready, and best of luck (it will be tough - but you don’t need me to tell you that).
We don’t know all of the reasons for sale but this current owner is phoning it in. He could do so much more with what he’s got. It’s lackluster but still makes profit today just by walk in blah cafe food and beer.
If you’ve never worked in the food services industry before,
no.
If you’ve worked in the food services industry before and
did not like it, no.
If you absolutely LOVE working in the food services industry,
maybe.
Oh. CA? Forget it.
I would have a covered, outdoor “smoke garten.”
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