步骤三：寻找理想的餐厅位置 Step 3: Seek Out the Ideal Location

选择正确的位置是开餐厅最重要的决策之一。餐厅的成功与否往往与选址密切相关。在寻找位置时，需要考虑从运营可行性到客户便利性的多个因素。

已有餐厅与全新位置

  • 已有餐厅：购买已运营的餐厅可以减少装修时间，快速开始运营。然而，这种方式可能缺乏新鲜感，难以带来吸引力。
  • 全新位置：全新的位置可以为餐厅注入新鲜感和活力，同时提供一个完全按照您的愿景设计的机会。虽然前期投入更多，但从长远来看，这种方式更具灵活性和独特性。

建议：优先寻找“困境中的生意”（即问题主要在运营或管理上的场地，而非位置本身）。这类地点通常具备很高的潜在价值，但售价较低，往往能以极低的价格获得优质地段。

优质位置的关键特征

  1. 充足的停车位

    • 除非您的餐厅位于行人流量很大的地区，否则停车场是至关重要的。如果停车位不足，可能会给顾客带来不便。
    • 理想比例：中型餐厅至少需要40个停车位。

  2. 足够的空间

    • 位置必须足够大，以容纳座位和厨房需求。
    • 推荐面积：
      • 小型餐厅：约40个座位
      • 中型餐厅：约80个座位
      • 大型餐厅：120个以上座位
    • 厨房必须足够宽敞，以应对高峰期的订单量。如果厨房空间不足，将限制运营能力和顾客满意度。

  3. 富裕社区

    • 高收入地区通常提供更高的利润率，并吸引愿意支付更高价格的顾客。
    • 家庭收入基准：目标为平均家庭收入在10万美元以上的社区。虽然低收入社区并非不适合，但高收入社区能简化定价并吸引优质顾客。

  4. 低竞争环境

    • 避免竞争激烈的区域，尤其是类似餐厅过于密集的地方。
    • 经验法则：
      • 5分钟车程范围内不应有超过5家类似菜单的餐厅。
      • 10分钟车程范围内不应有超过10家类似餐厅。

  5. 可见性和便利性

    • 餐厅的位置应具备良好的可见性，并方便从主干道进入。
    • 评估顾客的进出便利性。如果进出困难或危险，顾客很可能也会感到不便。

  6. 人口密度

    • 餐厅依赖人流量和当地居民的支持。确保所在地区有足够的人口基础来支撑业务。
    • 最低人口基准：
      • 3分钟车程范围内至少15,000人。
      • 5分钟车程范围内至少50,000人。
      • 10分钟车程范围内至少100,000人。

如何寻找位置

  1. 使用在线平台：

    • 使用像BizBuySell、LoopNet、Crexi、Coldwell Banker和Long & Foster这样的网站进行搜索。
    • 中国社区的168USA等平台也是寻找本地商机的宝贵资源。

  2. 保持耐心：

    • 理想位置并非总是随时可得，因此保持一致性很重要。养成每天查看房源的习惯，以掌握最新的机会。

  3. 实地考察：

    • 驾车到潜在位置观察交通流量、可达性和停车条件。从顾客的角度评估位置的便利性和吸引力。

耐心会带来回报

寻找合适的位置需要时间和努力，但耐心最终会带来丰厚的回报。理想的地点可以将一家好餐厅转变为一家伟大的餐厅。通过积极主动、仔细评估市场，并始终将客户便利放在首位，您可以找到一个为餐厅长期成功奠定基础的优质地点。

 

 

Choosing the right location is one of the most critical decisions when opening a restaurant. The success or failure of your business can often be tied directly to where you operate. When scouting for a location, there are several factors to consider, ranging from operational feasibility to customer convenience.

Established Business vs. New Location

  • Established Business: Purchasing an already operational restaurant can be advantageous as it allows you to make minimal renovations and continue operations quickly. However, it may lack the excitement of a fresh start.
  • New Location: A brand-new location generates buzz and offers a clean slate to build your concept. While it requires more effort upfront, it provides the opportunity to design the space entirely to your vision.

Recommendation: Focus on identifying distressed businesses. These are locations with operational or management issues but no significant problems with the property itself. Such opportunities can offer tremendous value at a fraction of their potential, allowing you to acquire prime locations for a low price.

Key Characteristics of a Winning Location

  1. Adequate Parking

    • Unless your restaurant is in a heavily pedestrian-friendly area, parking is critical. Without sufficient parking, you risk creating inconvenience for your customers.
    • Ideal Ratio: At least 40 parking spaces for mid-sized restaurants.

  2. Ample Space

    • The location must be large enough to accommodate your seating and kitchen needs.
    • Recommended Sizes:
      • Small: ~40 seats
      • Medium: ~80 seats
      • Large: 120+ seats
    • The kitchen should be spacious enough to handle peak orders efficiently. A cramped kitchen limits your operational capacity and customer satisfaction.

  3. Affluent Neighborhoods

    • Higher-income areas tend to offer better margins and attract customers willing to pay premium prices.
    • Household Income Benchmark: Aim for neighborhoods with an average household income of $100,000 or more. While less affluent areas aren’t inherently bad, premium neighborhoods simplify pricing and customer interactions.

  4. Low Competition

    • Avoid highly saturated areas where similar restaurants dominate the market.
    • Rule of Thumb:
      • No more than 5 restaurants with similar menus within a 5-minute radius.
      • No more than 10 within a 10-minute radius.

  5. Visibility and Accessibility

    • The location should be visible and easy to access from main roads.
    • Always evaluate the ease of entry and exit for potential customers. A difficult or unsafe access point can deter business.

  6. Population Density

    • Restaurants thrive on foot traffic and local patronage. Ensure the area has a sufficient population base to support your business.
    • Minimum Population Guidelines:
      • 15,000 within a 3-minute radius.
      • 50,000 within a 5-minute radius.
      • 100,000 within a 10-minute radius.

How to Search for Locations

  1. Use Online Platforms:

    • Websites like BizBuySell, LoopNet, Crexi, Coldwell Banker, and Long & Foster offer comprehensive listings.
    • Chinese platforms such as 168USA can also be valuable for finding opportunities in local communities.

  2. Stay Persistent:

    • Ideal locations aren’t always available, so consistency is key. Make it a habit to check listings daily to stay ahead of potential deals.

  3. Explore in Person:

    • Drive to prospective locations and observe traffic flow, accessibility, and parking availability firsthand. Think like a customer to assess the convenience and appeal of the spot.

Patience Pays Off

Finding the right location takes time and effort, but persistence pays dividends. The perfect spot can transform a good restaurant into a great one. By staying proactive, assessing the market carefully, and keeping customer convenience at the forefront, you can secure a winning location that sets your restaurant up for long-term success.