Setting Up A Chinese Asian Style Buffet...advise Needed

[dieseldick]

what type of business course would i need to embark on to run / open a buffet ?

i have 2 asian chefs ( friends of my wifes ) they say they can cook chinese food though most of their food they cook is thai. i have thought long about this and its really a bit of a dream though i want to make it a reality. i also will embark on a cookery course myself in near future.

any advise on this ? links or anything helpfull regarding aopplying for drinks licence or would i need a licence if people brought their own ?

thanks

[factor-fiction]

Have you got premises?
On what basis would the chefs want to work for you- would they wanta guaranteed number of hours?
You need a lot of capital normally.
One cheaper way of starting up is to make use of 'pop up shops' in pubs or other premises with kitchen facilities. Or offer to do a night at a local pub.

[ummmm]

We have a local 'bring your own booze' Indian restaurant here because they don't hold a licence. You'll have to apply to the council for a licence. You can make a good return on alcohol sales.

You're probably best getting your food hygiene cert and making sure your chefs have them as well.

Other than that....anyone can open a restaurant.

[Sycamore3House]

You will also need to register with EHO (Enviromental Health Office)and make sure all your food handlers have the relevant Food Hygeine certificate. If you want to sell alcohol you will need a licence for the premises, you will need to appoint a DPS (Designated Premises Supervisor) who will need to hold a premises licence. If you go for a BYO establishment you will still needs to let authorities know as you will not be in charge of what customers are consuming & I think you may still need a personal licence.

[Peaspeculiars]

Good Luck in your new venture diesel. Here's a link for the Alcohol Licensing which should cover all bases in that respect:
https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-licensing

You're chef's would need to hold an up-to date Food Hygiene Certificate, and it would be advisable that all your serving staff hold this too in case of an inspection:
http://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/caterers/food-hygiene

You'd need to consider the premises that you are renting/ buy to use as it would need to be fitted out in accordance with the local councils building control guidelines and achieve a BC certificate of completion once shop-fitted (search your local council for the web-link) - costs approx £850+vat
And you would also need to apply for Advertising Consent for the fascia board/ swing sign and any Pavement 'A' Boards (again, search your local council - costs about £500 +vat
And you would definitely need to obtain 'Change of use' planning to A3 for a catering premises (if not already included in the lease from the previous tenant):
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/changeofuse/
(The above should be submitted by your solicitor if you can).
Then there are also business rates on the property to be aware of in addition to your rent/ asbestos considerations when doing the shopfit (get a survey done to cover your back and hand it to the shop-fitter so they don't disturb any asbestos during the works)(the Landlord may be able to provide an up to date one to save you some costs as part of the deal):
https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/premises-rates

If you want to play music or do any events, you would also need to apply for an entertainment licence (either full or temporary):
http://www.ppluk.com/I-Play-Music/Businesses/Why-do-I-need-a-licence/

These are just a few of the possible overheads you will need to consider on start-up. However, if you work hard and provide great food/ atmosphere at good prices, there is no reason why your business should not be a success.
I would however, seriously do some research on the location for your business and see what type of footfall you would expect to see first. What type of demographic are you looking to pull into your restaurant, would the location you've chosen be seen from the high-street? Could local radio help you out to advertise? Can your customers park nearby in a pay & display? (parking spaces attached to your restaurant will carry a parking levy).
Do you have some good suppliers for the produce locally and does it make financial sense on paper - i.e what would the costs be to bulk-buy, and what margin would you sell the food/ drink for.
Would you do a loyalty scheme for repeat business and how would you launch the business to best effect
Can you do a deal with a local printers to get cheap leaflets? Can you do the facsia and restaurant design in-house etc.
All of the above should be considered when making a business plan if you are applying for financial help to kick start the venture.
I hope this helps, even if only a little, and wish you all the very best with it! :-)

[Peaspeculiars]

Apologies Diesel - to answer your actual question 'what type of business course would i need to embark on to run / open a buffet?' - You wouldn't necessarily have to complete a business course to run a restaurant. However, a 'Restaurant Management' course either on-line or at a local college may be useful:
http://courses.independent.co.uk/training/restaurant-management-level-3-course-272859

[ummmm]

Why?

[hammerman]

Friend of mine has just set up a mobile curry van. He moves round different villages selling curry which is cooked in his catering van....just like a mobile burger van. He also does weddings, functions, corperate stuff etc https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sussex-Spice-Ship-Ltd/795466507178833?fref=ts

[-Talbot-]

60% failure rate.

Think very carefully about it.

[ummmm]

The catering van is a good idea. Once the van is paid for the overheads are low compared to a restaurant. If you can secure a pitch at festivals you'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

[Sycamore3House]

when running a food business the one thing you will need to be able to work out is gross profit on your food. A dish should cost you to produce 30-35% of the selling price. So if you sell a dish for £10 it would have cost you £3.00-£3.50 to produce.

[pastafreak]

I agree about the foodvan...or food truck as they are called in the States. They are hugely popular there,and catching on here,especially in London.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_truck

[Peaspeculiars]

How about trialling some sample dishes of your friends/ chefs at a local market to see if the public like them and get an idea of how much they would pay per dish/ what their favourite Chinese/ Asian dishes are for your menu content?

[dieseldick]

60% failure rate ? hmmmmm maybe i will try to start something on a smaller scale. these buffets can be done on a small scale , small shop with 4 tables 20 chairs , 1 chef, i seen one in china town amsterdam recently, selling finger foods mostly spring rolls, prawns, prawn crackers, ribs, chicken wings, and say 3 curries like beef/ chicken/ penang . also chips, rice, noodles for mains. it had a fridge with cans of beer like stella / amstel etc. will look into alcohol licence but i think it would be difficult.

[tamborine]

Advertise deliveries on local adv boards. Freeze foods in plastic boxes & heat as required.

[janbee]

DD, I wish you every success with your venture. It's a very risky area of business and for many, it ends in failure, a very expensive failure. However, with lots of advice, money and good back up team, good outlets etc, you may make it. I wish you every success. Let us know what happens.
xx

[dieseldick]

was also thinking of going into handyman business doing everything from welding, decorating, bricklaying, joinery etc etc etc, getting a mate who is really good at most things also i am good with my hands. little outlay involved , all we need is a decent van, tools and a good advertising and make a good job.

also a mobile tyre fitting business for myself, change tyres at peoples doors. doing part worn etc.

options are open .

[Sycamore3House]

If you do the tyre business you will be selling a product that does not go off a and become unsaleable like food can. Your profit will be less but so will your running costs and outgoings.