It’s no secret that the bar and restaurant scene in Miami is incredibly competitive.
For every new space that opens, it often seems like three are forced to close their doors.
But you thrive on that kind of excitement and competition. So, you’ve decided that now is the time to open up your own restaurant in Miami.
Still, you want to make sure you’ve done your research — and that you know how to generate buzz about your restaurant.
Start by reading this post.
In it, we’ll cover a few of the most important things that you need to know about how to run a restaurant in Miami that really takes off.
1. Pick the Right Location
If you really want to know how to run a successful restaurant in Miami, then you should start by understanding that location is everything.
Of course, just because you’ve found your dream beachfront location, doesn’t mean that you can actually afford it. The last thing that you want to do is put yourself in a mountain of debt before you even open the doors to your restaurant.
Don’t make an unwise financial decision that you’ll end up paying off for the rest of your life.
When you’re scouting for the perfect Miami location, look for something that’s in an up-and-coming area. Not only will spaces be much more affordable (and larger), you’ll also be able to better establish yourself as a trendsetter.
In Miami, everyone is always looking for the next big thing. Don’t shy away from making your restaurant a destination.
Of course, especially if you’re new to the restaurant scene, we strongly suggest you work with a professional real estate agent to connect with the right space for you.
They’ll know trendy areas, where people are moving in, and much more.
To get a feel for the kinds of homes and businesses that people are buying in Miami, check out these homes for sale.
2. Your Website is Everything
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that, if you want to know how to run a restaurant in Miami, you also need to know how to create a killer website, social media presence, and blog.
Branding is everything, and should be consistent across every web presence.
Use the same colors, fonts, logo, and other images in all of your social media platforms and website internal pages.
Additionally, make sure that you clearly list your menu options online — for each separate meal. Make the costs easy to find, offer suggested wine pairings, and even highlight your most popular dishes.
Above all, ensure that your website is optimized for SEO and shows up in local searches.
Do this by claiming online listings, conducting some serious keyword research, and making sure your website loads on mobile devices as well as traditional desktops.
You also need to make it as easy as possible for your diners to make a reservation at your restaurant.
Especially in today’s world, no one wants to bother with having to wait for opening hours and then call to make a reservation. Instead, allow them to book the best times and see which tables are available on their own schedules.
Do this by using an app like Open Table, Touch Bistro, and other reservation software that will make getting a table easier than ever before.
3. Connect with Reviewers
Of course, when you’re starting a restaurant in Florida, you shouldn’t exclusively pay attention to the big names in the restaurant scene.
While getting reviewers from the local paper or bigger names like the Miami Herald are key, don’t neglect two other things: online reviewers and social media influencers.
Think about the popular food bloggers that you likely read to get advice and inspiration from.
Invite them to write a quick blurb for your website or offer them a free meal in exchange for an honest review of your space and menu options.
Then, turn to what “real people” are saying about your restaurant online.
Check out places like Yelp and even Trip Advisor to see what the word on the street is vis a vis your guests’ dining experiences.
Thank reviewers for their feedback, and even incentivize reviewers by offering them a discount off of their next meal in exchange for a review.
Be aware, however, that not all of the reviews you get will be positive. Inevitably, someone will leave a nasty — or even inaccurate — review.
If you want to make it, you need to carefully manage your response to the negative opinions. Contact unhappy diners to see where you went wrong, and publicly offer them another chance to dine with you for free.
Future diners want to see that you’re serious about providing everyone with the best possible experience — and that you’re open to feedback.
How to Run a Restaurant in Miami: Opening your Doors
We hope that this post has helped you to realize the most important concepts to focus on when you want to learn how to run a restaurant in Miami.
Remember that real success when running a restaurant comes when you choose the right location, know the right people, and work hard to generate some serious buzz around your opening day.
Of course, once your doors open, the real work can begin.
Looking for ways to ensure that your restaurant is a success?
We can help you with that.
Whether you need to hire the perfect waitstaff or connect with an interior designer to bring your space to life, let us connect you with the kind of team you need to succeed.