Do you want to start a Fun Foods
Business? Here are 8 secrets to a
successful launch.
1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Spend a considerable amount of
time conducting due diligence on a location. Successful small businesses
differentiate themselves and offer something that is missing in the local
community. Does your location have many restaurants, snack bars, etc.? Do other vendors at your location sell the
same food? Foot traffic… is there any? Make sure to take all theses thing and more
into account before you open shop.
2. KEEP IT SIMPLE
The fewer the number of moving
parts, the easier it is to manage, and the cheaper it is to operate. The menu
should not seek to be all things to all people. Instead, the menu should
provide options that are appealing and consistent with the mission and vision
of the business. Don’t offer ten different types of items when four will sell
better.
3. GIVE THEM WHAT IS
MISSING
As noted above, part of the due
diligence process is to find the unmet needs.
Are there no kettle corn operators in your area? Does no one sell shave ice? What about seasonal… kettle corn in the
winter and shave ice in the summer. Or a
little of both full-year if no one else is selling these items? Conduct a "needs assessment" by
asking local residents and professionals what they like that they can't get
locally…then fill that need.
4. NETWORK, NETWORK,
NETWORK
Something new businesses do
extremely well was to network with the local community well before the
restaurant opened its doors. Welcomed the community to view progress in
constructing your new location. Also attend local business chamber meetings as
an owner before you serve to the public. Work very closely with representatives
of local government as well as community groups to get the word out when you’re
opening. By the time you’re ready for a grand opening, the entire community
will be aware. As a result, you’ll open strong and continue to maintain a
growing base of customers.
5. BE A MEMBER OF THE
COMMUNITY
Want to build a following? Quickly become the "go to" location
for fundraisers, holiday parties, and church & school carnivals. Heavy
community involvement can greatly benefit you from the increased exposure to
new visitors participating in the various events. By doing this type of
business you can gain a reputation as a community-friendly establishment,
resulting in greater patronage and exposure.
6. HAVE A PLAN FOR THE
FUTURE
A problem with many snack food
start-ups is a lack of vision. It is important for the entire organization,
from owners to managers to servers, to understand the vision and mission of the
business. However, before the staff can do this the owners must stop and think
about where they want to go. Owners need to stop being tactical long enough to
be strategic in order to ensure a future for the business.
7. BE NIMBLE, BE QUICK
The advantage of a small
business is the ability to change course "on the fly." Running any
business requires making adjustments. Owners, management and staff must
constantly be on the lookout for those things that do not work and make
immediate changes to achieve the desired outcomes. Unfortunately, many small
businesses get caught up on the day-to-day and fail to stop and look around and
analyze outcomes to see if plans are working as expected.
8. BE OPPORTUNISTIC
Small business owners must
always be on the lookout for opportunities. Such opportunities may include
collaboration, filling newly discovered unmet needs, or any other circumstance
that may suddenly appear. Such opportunities may not last very long. In other
cases, taking advantage early may provide long-term benefits. Regardless, small
business owners need to be able to get above the weeds often to identify
opportunities that can benefit the business.
