Online Workshop: So You Think You Want to Open a Restaurant      

Have you always dreamed of opening your own restaurant? Do you have a passion for food and hospitality, but aren't quite sure where to start? Then this workshop is for you to decide if it's the right direction to take.

This workshop is designed to help aspiring restaurateurs navigate the complexities of the restaurant industry and decide if they want to own, to run or to pursue a different path.

Topics briefly covered in this workshop will include:

• Is opening a restaurant right for you?
• Conducting market research and analyzing the competition
• Developing a business plan and marketing plan
• Choosing a location and negotiating a lease or buying or renovating an existing facility
• Building a team and managing staff
• Marketing and branding your restaurant
• Creating a menu and managing inventory
• Providing exceptional customer service and building a loyal customer base

Additional workshops will follow in the coming months covering more in depth information on most topics touched on.

This workshop is perfect for anyone who is serious about opening a restaurant, whether you are just starting out or have already taken some steps towards making your dream a reality. By the end of the workshop, you will have a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in the restaurant industry, as well as practical tools and strategies to help you achieve your goals.

Presenter Heather Turner is a Merrimack Valley Certified SCORE mentor. She spent twenty years cooking professionally and in 2003 started her own business (with the assistance of a SCORE mentor). She currently teaches social media and marketing for small businesses and mentors and co-mentors in the chapter for marketing and social media for startup businesses and for existing businesses who need some help and guidance in the digital age.