Restaurant Consulting, Design and Layout

Hello. I want to open a coffee house, but I'm ...

2011-09-27T22:36:42.507-05:00

Hello. I want to open a coffee house, but I'm not a chef. How about the menu, how to do it since I have no special talents in that and what I need to do? Can you guide me? Thanks.

Thank you for the article. I do believe that it d...

2011-05-06T21:49:31.358-05:00

Thank you for the article. I do believe that it depends upon the type and quality of the restaurant.

The value of the architect does not stand simply with sound structural judgement and the ability to coordinate multiple trades into a cohesive whole. Talented architects, of which there are many these days, possess an aesthetic judgement that rarely can be found elsewhere.

Who to hire depends primarily upon the restauranteur's goals, and of course the pocketbook.

2011-01-31T18:27:10.902-06:00

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Hi Gina, Thanks for the comment. Due Diligence do...

2011-01-24T17:45:15.800-06:00

Hi Gina,

Thanks for the comment. Due Diligence does not focus on design. The design instruction is one of thirteen instructions. The design instruction is in depth because you may need several designers for your concept. The first instruction is on Concept and Vision. That is the key. Instructions 2 thru 13 will help you realize your concept and vision within budget and mistake free. We are working on a link for the table of contents. Coming soon.

Frank

2011-01-24T17:40:15.713-06:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

Your book sounds very interesting, but more import...

2011-01-24T17:00:15.859-06:00

Your book sounds very interesting, but more importantly, insightful. I've been thinking for some time of opening a restaurant but want to make sure everything is in order before doing that. It sounds like your book, as opposed to many others, focuses a lot on design, which is something I think is a crucial aspect. But how important do you think it is to create a cohesive concept? Is it essential to have the concept, location, website and even simpler things like possible restaurant menu covers be closely in line?

Send your email address to me at books@nationalrd....

2011-01-17T12:38:20.639-06:00

Send your email address to me at books@nationalrd.com. I will send you a link to order online and a pdf you can print and send with a check if you'd rather do it by snail mail. You can expect to receive a book in a couple of weeks when it's done printing. I'll be posting the book blog page soon.

Let me know in your email what your concept is. I'd be happy to talk to you on the phone too. As you know I am an independent restaurant consultant and designer.

I look forward to hearing from you and sending you the book, How to Open A Restaurant: Due Diligence. I am confident that it will benefit your effort immensly.

I'm very excited about getting a copy of your ...

2011-01-17T12:24:30.709-06:00

I'm very excited about getting a copy of your book to help me open a restaurant. I'd like to pre-order one. Please email me instructions. info@relevantdesignsolutions.

Hi Michael, I can appreciate what you are trying t...

2011-01-04T13:56:54.747-06:00

Hi Michael,
I can appreciate what you are trying to do. I used to think I could make the computer layouts of my kitchen design or restaurant design ideas before I became a professional designer. What I found out is that if money is an issue, it's far cheaper to enlist the services of a professional restaurant designer than purchase the expensive software they use and then take classes as they have to learn it. Furthermore, the expertise and free consulting you get from a layout professional can save you a ton of money and eliminate costly mistakes. They have the knowledge and expertise in code issues, flow and efficiency (which you probably know well), and can prepare a computer layout that is exactly what the equipment companies need to bid your job. With the proper layout you will save money on mistakes and you can shop around and compare equipment bids, even get the best bid out there. Plus, there are the contractors which need a very detailed and precise layout for their job.
If you want to try it yourself you certainly can. But from experience it's worth the money to hire an independent consultant and designer. You can shop around for them too. Good luck!

Hello, I enjoyed your article. I have interest in ...

2010-12-16T16:39:13.279-06:00

Hello, I enjoyed your article. I have interest in preparing my own kitchen floor plans and am in search of a restaurant design or layout software that that provides actual square footage and equipment icons.

Would you know of a economic software that I could purchase for this purpose?

I have 14 years as a chef but am not sure what software to look for.
Or what key words I need to search for.

Ive seen smart draw, easy blueprint on a search but cannot find anything worth really trying out.
Seems to be to much time wasted with no real results. I have also looked in the restaurant assoc. and couldn't find anything either.

I would like to create my own template. Without spending a lot of money in software what are the options?

Thanks for you help.

Sorry I hadn't seen your comment earlier... I ...

2010-11-19T10:12:32.830-06:00

Sorry I hadn't seen your comment earlier...
I would be happy to answer all your questions but I need more information as different projects have different requirements. An architect is 5x more expensive than a Foodservice Designer, so do your due diligence to find out what part of your project absolutely needs an architect and what you can do apart from an architect. I'd be happy to give you some free advise, but I need more info. Feel free to call me - 1-888-727-0377.
- Frank Stocco, Restaurant Consultant/Designer

Great post, thanks for putting out good informatio...

2010-11-11T10:09:52.863-06:00

Great post, thanks for putting out good information on restaurant startup! Conception is always the first spark in the process, but it really does need to be thought through completely before and opening. Staying consistent throughout appearance with table presentation is important, including nice menus and menu covers. The table and the menu are what the guest spends the most time looking at!

Hi Frank! perfect timing for this post...I'm ...

2010-10-19T18:41:14.266-05:00

Hi Frank! perfect timing for this post...I'm working on a project in CA and had the same question in my mind! what kinds of $$ differences are we talking about between the Architect and Food Service Designer? Also, do I need a Designer, Architect, Food service Designer and then the contractor?
Thanks so much!
-SM

Excellent article Frank. I work for Black Loon Mil...

2010-04-21T16:04:54.833-05:00

Excellent article Frank. I work for Black Loon Millworks in Ontario, Canada. We manufacturer solid wood restaurant tops and have seen fairly strong demand lately even with the sluggish economy. I guess it’s like any other industry, the successful businesses are the ones that meticulously plan and know their market inside and out. I’ve seen a number of restaurants go under in recent years because of failed planning.

Glad I found your blog I will continue to follow and learn! If any of your projects require a solid wood restaurant table top be sure to keep us in mind. Email me at marty@blackloon.com or visit our website www.blackloon.com.

Thanks for the tips. I will contact you about a we...

2009-11-17T13:04:46.571-06:00

Thanks for the tips. I will contact you about a web design for my restaurant.

Quick and to the point advices, love it. Knowing w...

2009-09-30T23:52:05.555-05:00

Quick and to the point advices, love it. Knowing who to cater to is one important factor for your restaurant design.

I appreciate your tips on opening a restaurant. So...

2009-04-15T20:04:00.000-05:00

I appreciate your tips on opening a restaurant. Sounds like you are the one to talk to. We'll work on our concept and give you a call.

Great information. I look forward to your remarks ...

2008-11-26T09:45:00.000-06:00

Great information. I look forward to your remarks about interior design and web design, too.

Just wanted to say I really appreciate your great ...

2008-10-24T08:57:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to say I really appreciate your great free advise. I love checking your page every day while I gather information I need before I take the deciding step.
Thanks.