Anyone here ever run a takeout restaurant?

[slackerinabox]

I was laid off, without good reason (my entire department), and am really dreading returning to being at the whim of an employer who doesn't care that I've saved them 20xs my salary in the 2 years I've worked there... Sorry for the bitterness - I just don't want to work for someone else again, and would rather work 80 hour weeks to make half of what I used to, if that work would benefit me directly. I'm also completely ok with failing - I'm 29 and will be ok dusting off my shoulders and getting a job selling paper products if my ambition ultimately fails..

I'm thinking about starting a little chinese style take out/delivery joint. I have a good network of people in the field for support (including restaurant managers), but I'm not ready to come to them with my thoughts - I'm still at the point of looking through zoning documents and all that before I start looking into small business loans and grants.

Anyone else have any experiences to share?

I don't expect to get rich nor do I expect any of this to be easy, and completely know I have much to study and learn and many risks to take.

Thanks!

 

[HannibalX]

Not having customers dining in cuts a huge part of the work out but it's still an assload of work with almost no downtime at all. It can be done, obviously, as there are a ton of successful restaurants (take out only included) but it will definitely test your, uhhh, resolve.

Any experience working in any kind of restaurant? I'd try it out first and see if you can handle it.

 

[SSSnail]

Do you know how to cook?

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Good luck getting a loan!!!!! Lololololololol!!!!!!!!!!11111!!!!!

 

[rh71]

you have balls... (maybe a bit premature in saying that) but good luck to you. I've only worked at the front counter for a short period... it really did not seem difficult day-to-day once you got off the ground.

 

[MrChad]

You're in NYC, right? A hugely competitive environment, but more power to you if you can find your niche.

 

[preslove]

Do you have collateral for the loan? As in, do you own your house?

 

[Codewiz]

Good luck getting a loan!!!!! Lololololololol!!!!!!!!!!11111!!!!!

Most credit unions are loaning money no issue if you have good credit.

My wife got approved for an unsecured 10K loan in 2 minutes online with our credit union. I know a small business loan will take more paperwork but credit unions are giving out loans.

 

[Platypus]

sucks about your job.

Don't let bitterness lead you down the wrong path. I'm not saying you shouldn't try this.. but for fuck's sake you live in NYC. You're not coming up with anything that hasn't been done 30000x over and you're going to have a really hard time securing a loan to do this. Even if you do, you're going to put yourself into a much worse situation because of pride.

Take some time off (no choice ), realize that business is just business, and get back to work somewhere else. I admire your will.. but I think you're being very shortsighted.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Most credit unions are loaning money no issue if you have good credit.

My wife got approved for an unsecured 10K loan in 2 minutes online with our credit union. I know a small business loan will take more paperwork but credit unions are giving out loans.

10k won't get you far if you want a commercial kitchen

 

[IceBergSLiM]

sucks about your job.

Don't let bitterness lead you down the wrong path. I'm not saying you shouldn't try this.. but for fuck's sake you live in NYC. You're not coming up with anything that hasn't been done 30000x over and you're going to have a really hard time securing a loan to do this. Even if you do, you're going to put yourself into a much worse situation because of pride.

Take some time off (no choice ), realize that business is just business, and get back to work somewhere else. I admire your will.. but I think you're being very shortsighted.

lol. yeah just but your lip and get back to the status quo working for the man.

 

[slackerinabox]

Not having customers dining in cuts a huge part of the work out but it's still an assload of work with almost no downtime at all. It can be done, obviously, as there are a ton of successful restaurants (take out only included) but it will definitely test your, uhhh, resolve.

Any experience working in any kind of restaurant? I'd try it out first and see if you can handle it.

I figure it'll be an assload of work, but I've worked 16nhour days before and have nothing to really show from that....To have my own business would make the work awesomely worthwhile. I figure having no seating will allow me to have a staff of 3 or 4 (including delivery drivers) and will allow me to use my ground level apartment (currently unfinished) as a small store front. I already own it so there's another overhead cost possibly reduced (though refurbishing it will cost some - a vacant retail place across the street rents for $1,700, so it may be worth it). Though a refurb with the proper ventilation and equipment may not be worth it, I still have to work out the math. One though of refurbishing what I already own is that I could always rent out the space if my own business fails, to recoup expenses over time.

I don't have any personal experience working in a restaurant but my wife worked at a restaurant for years and my best man was a restaurant manager and would help me with anything (I bought him his first suit!). He's roaming around Europe for the next few months so I want to get a head start before I even speak to him.

 

[slackerinabox]

You're in NYC, right? A hugely competitive environment, but more power to you if you can find your niche.

I'm kinda blessed in that I own a 2 family plus "garage" (that I've confirmed with the building department can be converted into a store front since it's a mixed use area), in a still pre-gentrified neighborhood. There are not any food options around other than Mexican (which I love, but options are good), and there are 4 new apartment buildings going up in a 2 block radius.

Though it won't be easy - there's a slew of mid-brow trendy cafes moving in

 

[slackerinabox]

sucks about your job.

Don't let bitterness lead you down the wrong path. I'm not saying you shouldn't try this.. but for fuck's sake you live in NYC. You're not coming up with anything that hasn't been done 30000x over and you're going to have a really hard time securing a loan to do this. Even if you do, you're going to put yourself into a much worse situation because of pride.

Take some time off (no choice ), realize that business is just business, and get back to work somewhere else. I admire your will.. but I think you're being very shortsighted.

Thank you for this, I posted this to hear both sides (failures and successes) and appreciate your point of view. You're absolutely right and won't backpeddle - I need to send out resumes and need to keep my job search going. I've been unemployed before (9 MONTHS, shortly after 9/11) and understand this is all a cycle.

I gotta keep on sending resumes, but I have so much free time that I can do both, right?

NYS offers free workshops for unemployed individuals looking to start businesses which I see no harm in attending. Who knows, maybe the skills that I start learning there could make me more employable elsewhere?

 

[slackerinabox]

Good luck getting a loan!!!!! Lololololololol!!!!!!!!!!11111!!!!!

A. I know it won't be easy
B. I thought I wouldn't get a loan to buy a $600,000 house and did, without help
C. My parents, who I am immensely good to (and will have live with me once the time comes, rent free), offered me a loan which I'm very weary of excepting, or to help me get financing
D. I know it won't be easy
E. I'm ok getting a rejection, it'll help me know what to do so I won't get rejected again

 

[slackerinabox]

you have balls... (maybe a bit premature in saying that) but good luck to you. I've only worked at the front counter for a short period... it really did not seem difficult day-to-day once you got off the ground.

Thanks for the luck, premature or not

 

[Platypus]

Thank you for this, I posted this to hear both sides (failures and successes) and appreciate your point of view. You're absolutely right and won't backpeddle - I need to send out resumes and need to keep my job search going. I've been unemployed before (9 MONTHS, shortly after 9/11) and understand this is all a cycle.

I gotta keep on sending resumes, but I have so much free time that I can do both, right?

NYS offers free workshops for unemployed individuals looking to start businesses which I see no harm in attending. Who knows, maybe the skills that I start learning there could make me more employable elsewhere?

It's definitely good to keep yourself occupied while you're searching for a new gig... there's no harm in looking into this and maybe trying something out in your free time. I just think in the long run you are better off securing a good job with benefits to support yourself and your wife and your lifestyle. There's absolutely nothing wrong with going out on your own and trying to make it (American dream right?) but you need to take care of yourself and your family first. Don't put yourself into a financial doomsday unless you can afford to have it fail. I know you said you're ok with it failing and you're only 29, etc.. but you have a wife too and her opinion definitely matters. Have you talked to her about this idea? Is she supportive of it?

What is your profession btw? It seems like if you've been laid off twice in the last 9 years that you're either expendable or working for really shitty places that are managed poorly. Could this time and money investment you're thinking of be better spent getting more/different education? I have no idea what you do so this obviously is highly dependent on that.

 

[slackerinabox]

Do you have collateral for the loan? As in, do you own your house?

Yep

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Yep

how are you paying for a 600k house without a job?

even if you put 200k down which I doubt ......a 400k note for 30 years i still gonna be like close to 3k a month no?

 

[slackerinabox]

What is your profession btw? It seems like if you've been laid off twice in the last 9 years that you're either expendable or working for really shitty places that are managed poorly. Could this time and money investment you're thinking of be better spent getting more/different education? I have no idea what you do so this obviously is highly dependent on that.

I'm educated in Film/Media Studies/video production and am certified as a Final Cut Pro editor (and I'm really good), but have had most of my jobs in Web Management (day to day management, editorial and video content production). Yes, I've been laid off twice in the last 9 years but only got my first "real" (benefits) job 6 years ago (my previous jobs were by contract). I considered getting certified and trained in more I.T. specific fields but I honestly don't enjoy it very much. I.T. would be something I'd do if I have do, video/film production [even shit video-blogs, I don't have illusions of taking on Hollywood) would be my first preference. I do well doing freelance video work and was offered a semi-perm position recently, but freelancing has proven a dangerous trap for me - I've had 8 months periods of wall to wall work and good times, followed by months of downtime and clients who forget to pay invoices.. Yes, I could put the effort to make it work, but that would require me becoming a hustler again and networking and going to galleries and - BAH, I hated that! I enjoy the work but can't go back to that lifestyle, unless it's a full time job.

My wife is completely supportive. I'm really blessed that she is. She's sorta a rich kid and I grew up working class, so she respects my instincts and admires my work ethic. I've been working since I was 14 and am not lazy, and she knows that. She said she's more than willing to work a day job while I figure this out, mostly because she knows that I'm smart enough to know when to give up and move on She even told me that I should focus on my writing while she works (writing and directing would be my "dream"), but that's foolish and selfish so I promised to return to writing only when I can support myself and my hopefully growing family. She has dreams too and I always support them as well, so we're good - until we have kids

 

[slackerinabox]

how are you paying for a 600k house without a job?

even if you put 200k down which I doubt ......a 400k note for 30 years i still gonna be like close to 3k a month no?

Very, very comfortably - I'm not as stupid as I come across on here

 

[IceBergSLiM]

I'm educated in Film/Media Studies/video production and am certified as a Final Cut Pro editor (and I'm really good), but have had most of my jobs in Web Management (day to day management, editorial and video content production). Yes, I've been laid off twice in the last 9 years but only got my first "real" (benefits) job 6 years ago (my previous jobs were by contract). I considered getting certified and trained in more I.T. specific fields but I honestly don't enjoy it very much. I.T. would be something I'd do if I have do, video/film production [even shit video-blogs, I don't have illusions of taking on Hollywood) would be my first preference. I do well doing freelance video work and was offered a semi-perm position recently, but freelancing has proven a dangerous trap for me - I've had 8 months periods of wall to wall work and good times, followed by months of downtime and clients who forget to pay invoices.. Yes, I could put the effort to make it work, but that would require me becoming a hustler again and networking and going to galleries and - BAH, I hated that! I enjoy the work but can't go back to that lifestyle, unless it's a full time job.

My wife is completely supportive. I'm really blessed that she is. She's sorta a rich kid and I grew up working class, so she respects my instincts and admires my work ethic. I've been working since I was 14 and am not lazy, and she knows that. She said she's more than willing to work a day job while I figure this out, mostly because she knows that I'm smart enough to know when to give up and move on She even told me that I should focus on my writing while she works (writing and directing would be my "dream"), but that's foolish and selfish so I promised to return to writing only when I can support myself and my hopefully growing family. She has dreams too and I always support them as well, so we're good - until we have kids

ohhhhhh....so if you married rich and have nothing to lose than go for it.

 

[Platypus]

Ah, you're in kind of a niche field.

Have you tried hitting up some of the boutique effects/film studios? I know of a at least one large one in Manhattan.

 

[slackerinabox]

ohhhhhh....so if you married rich and have nothing to lose than go for it.

Not at all. I can't express how I was raised on a message board, but my parents always worked hard. They came to this country with absolutely nothing and built themselves from scratch - I watched that, I admired it even though I viewed them as strict, and I love that they instilled in me the same values.

I've never asked for a hand out. I've never accepted one when offered. Rich kids have weddings that cost $200,000. Hell, my sister's wedding cost $150,000 six years ago. My wedding, a wedding my wife and I wanted? $6,000. We're offered help time and again and always turn it down, and I never expect anything from anyone. I pay for my own meals when we dine together...I absolutely hate relying on anyone but myself. Heck, I don't even want my wife to do any work on this, because even the energy spent must be my own.

If I fail, I fail. That's EXACTLY how I want it. Failing after my parents and in laws investing in my failed dream would be the most humiliating thing possible to me. So, no - I will not be asking my rich in laws for money. I will not accept money from them. I'll accept advice, but I will not accept a dime. I don't think I can be clearer.

 

[Codewiz]

10k won't get you far if you want a commercial kitchen

Did you read the first sentence and stop?

No shit 10K won't get much but that was with ZERO, and I mean zero documentation or collateral. Right now, through the same credit union I can get a boat loan for 50K with zero documentation or collateral(outside of the boat itself).

My point is that with good credit and going through a credit union, loans are being given out. Money should not be the issue that holds him back. A solid business plan should hold him back until he gets his ducks in a row.