Restaurant business

[shrecher]

remember, this world is ruled by strong people (like you). Don't listen someone says it will not be possible. However, also keep in mind, business is the risk. You risk either with your money or with your reputation.

[r32]

I think it would be an excellent idea to start a restaurant! Just any kind. I think as long as there is food people will come and thats that. Especially if you don't know anything about running a business or restaurant it doesn't matter. Just have food and I am sure people will come order. hehe that kind of reminds me. A couple of years ago a guy in Tampere opened up a Chinese noodle place and all he did was heat it up in the microwave right in front of you after ordering... I am sure you can guess if he is still around

I was thinking about simple food, nothing extremly fancy because people won't pay 40 euros for 1 dish. My inspiration comes from one restaurant from my home city which is preparing manly italian food. It's one of the most popular restaurant in my city and their succes keeps growing every year. They started with a very small place, which was selling good pizzas and now they have a very big restaurant. I am not dreaming so far, I wouldn't want a big restaurant because big places might scare the finns. When it comes to food and restaurants, a small and cozy place gets much more attention then one huge place. In the same time you can transform a small place in a very confortable location,to be while you are eating.

[r32]

remember, this world is ruled by strong people (like you). Don't listen someone says it will not be possible. However, also keep in mind, business is the risk. You risk either with your money or with your reputation.

I am trying to think positive because otherwise you can't start a business. I know that there are risks, I am not blind....I know that restaurant business is tough but in order to do something with your life you need to risk. Everyday we risk something but this is how life runs in long term. Having a restaurant or a bar was a dream since I was small, I don't know why but I guess that I would like to see people leaving from my place (restaurant) happy and with the stomach full

[r32]

If having a restaurant/business is so easy and so risk-free, we all would own a restaurant/business.

Without risk there isn't any reward. If you are afraid of taking risk, I suggest you not to start a business.

But, if you have a business plan, clear vision, determination and willing to take risks. I encourage you to take control of your future.

I will try to analize the situation as well as I can. First I want to call to some renting places so I can get a clue about how much it might cost a central location in Helsinki.
Any ideas about the prices?

[Tiwaz]

Helsinki? Central?

High.

If your main source of income is going to be pizza, you better either have wicked good pizzas or forget importing cook.

[Hank W.]

OK, so basically you are looking to open some kind of "food place"... they basically make their money on lunches. Then depending they might succeed in keeping the evenings busy. What is the easiest to do is buy an existing one thats going out of business. Or theres a few guys I know that set up these "pizzakebab" places and then sell them on once they get them running. It is possible to survive with "ethnic" food, but it needs a "critical mass" good example is the "pelmeni" place in Kallio. Nowadays even the locals have found it. If I got my hunches right with the food you're planning on, it could maybe have some success even with the Finnish palate. What I would suggest you do is to get employed in some small restaurant, go on an enterpreneur course they organize for guys wanting to start a restaurant, and you'll see for yourself how hard/easy it is as well as get "into the know" how the system works. Starting from 0 scratch you'll be whacked with such a bureaucracy that your 40K will melt into even trying to get the kitchen inspected before you start, so finding an existing place is easier. Then also if you go out of the centre, theres good food places in the suburbs, but you need to have a bit of an eye of what goes where.

[r32]

Helsinki? Central?

High.

If your main source of income is going to be pizza, you better either have wicked good pizzas or forget importing cook.

How much are we talking about?
I will not make pizza. I am thinking about meat dishes and also some fish dishes. If the cook that I will find will be able to bring good pastas to the table then we will go also for pastas.

[r32]

In the downtown/centre area, the rent is roughly around 20€ per square meter. Now days, it's quite difficult get a premesis which is suitable for restaurants. The easiest but not the cheapest way is finding a restaurant/pizzeria that is for sale. Buy it and make a light renovation to meet your needs.

I was expecting something around 20-30. I think you might be right about getting a suitable place but I will have to make a good investigation on that. Any advice on what companies are renting places downtown Helsinki?

[r32]

You can check it from here http://www.toimitilat.fi

Thanks for the website.

[jessesuomi]

And to think.... thats just for the place.... next salaries, insurance, supplies

[davin]

I still think that there is plenty of room for the right place/idea. good luck to you mate

[rinso]

I still think ...

If you're going to risk a large sum of money and possibly your future (remember Finland has no personal bankruptcy) you should have a more solid base than what someone "thinks". You need professional advice. Get it, it is worth the investment.

[r32]

I still think that there is plenty of room for the right place/idea. good luck to you mate

Thanks!

I am not planning to buy the place because that is to costy for the begining of the business, I would go for renting the place!
How about that "hygiene test"? How about the person which has the right to sell alcohol? I am very interested to know these 2 details....

[Hank W.]

I think you usually "buy the right to rent"... *owning* a property in the centre is big bucks...

[r32]

More information of alcohol issue can be found here: http://www.intermin.fi/lh/lansi/sto/hom ... EA0035302D

about the food hygiene, you can start from here: viewtopic.php?t=19468

Thanks for the help!