Ethnic Food Restaurant Business Plan

Zara Restaurant and Lounge

Executive Summary

Opportunity

Problem

Atlanta consumers are seeking variety and new experiences. Location is clearly important, but so is atmosphere and distinctiveness. Our marketing challenge is thus to stand out from our competitors, not only as the "new" restaurant, but as one that offers consistently high quality food, menu variety, and a unique atmosphere.

Solution

Our concept combines variety, ambiance, entertainment and a superior staff to create a sense of ‘place’ in order to reach our goal of overall value in the dining/entertainment experience. We offer fair profits for the owners and investors, and a rewarding place to work for the employees.

Market

Instead of building a business around a preconceived concept, we conducted market research and built a concept around our consumers. Our market analysis identified the following key drivers as areas of opportunity to service Atlanta’s restaurant customers:

Portion Selection: Nearly 95% of our surveyed focus group endorsed having a choice of different size portions. This statistic is in line with findings reported by the Tableservice Operator Survey. Zara’s Tapas concept is built to offer different-sized portions. Our customers want the option to choose what satisfies their appetite.

Menu Variety: Ethnic restaurants are increasing in Atlanta. The proliferation of international cookbooks, food magazines, TV cooking shows and imported goods offers ample evidence that America, as a whole, is currently on an international tasting spree. In fact, eating places that identify themselves as ethnic establishments numbered nearly 78,000 in 1999 and recorded sales of $30.5 billion. Our research results do not identify any single ethnic style of restaurant as desired, but rather suggest that incorporating strong multi-ethnic influences in the menu selection will be popular. Again, variety is the underlying element for this concept.

The Dining Experience: Customer satisfaction with food and service has been and continues to be of utmost importance, but our findings indicate that the décor, lighting, bar, and other options to improve the dining experience are also factors in customer decisions. Zara takes all these factors in consideration for the design of this cosmopolitan restaurant.

Reasonable Prices: This was no surprise given the economic tide. Although the restaurant industry as a whole has seen growth in 2002/2003, customers are demanding value for their dining dollar. Zara’s menu is priced at a mid-tier level, with no entrée over $20. In addition we have an extended Tapas and Appetizer selection priced between $3.50 – $9.50, allowing budget dining in a full-service restaurant.

Competition

The top ten Atlanta restaurants shared two things: cozy, hip interiors and reasonably priced, regionally specialized menus. Only one of them offered traditional "southern" cooking. And half of them were located in Midtown. Our competitors are heading in the right direction, but only Zara is based on sound market research in the local market.

Why Us?

Zara will be an inspiring restaurant, combining an eclectic atmosphere with excellent and interesting food. The mission is to have not only a great food selection, but also efficient and superior service – customer satisfaction is our paramount objective. Zara will be the restaurant of choice for a mature and adult crowd, couples and singles, young and old, male or female.

Expectations

Forecast

We have taken the necessary precautions to ensure the business is fully capitalized, and have addressed all financial shortfalls to ensure a successful business start-up. Under a realistic scenario, the company should have over $84,000 in cash balance the third year. Even with the worst-case sales scenario, we reach a Net Worth break even at the end of Year 5. On a linear projection, the entire financial debt will be retired by Year 7.

Financial Highlights by Year

Financing Needed

We estimate total startup costs at $665,000, including $430,000 in pre-launch expenses and $235,000 in pre-launch assets. We itemize the expenses in detail in the financial section of this plan, and the assets in the table here.

Funding, as shown below, includes $110,000 owner investment, $200,000 in partner investment, plus a Midtown Redevelopment Grant for $130,000, Accounts Payable of $30,000, and a business loan of $195,000.

The capital begins with the owners. Mr. Alex Hunte and Mr. Peter Smith are investing $110,000 in personal capital. Private Investors, who will be part owners with a non-managerial interest in the business, will contribute another $200,000. And As owners, our commitment is to take personal accountability for all financial debt.

This Plan is being submitted in order to secure a Business loan for $195,000. The loan will be used towards Equipment purchase, Design, Construction, and Operational Start-Up expenses.