Opening a new restaurant is a complex task. Like any new businesses there are myriad services that go into the creation and smooth running of your dream. Whether you’re just starting to investigate how to open a restaurant – or are already deep into the process – here are all the items you will need to consider when starting a brand new restaurant.
Be sure to review the following checklist to when starting your restaurant. You’ll need to think about each of the following items before opening your doors to the public:
- Finding a location and deciding on leasing or buying
- Building and construction permits
- Design and architecture considerations of your space
- Buying and leasing equipment
- City applications
- Alcohol licensing process and laws
- Choosing a bank and credit cards
- Payroll processing systems
- POS systems
- Accounting systems
- Scheduling software
- Credit card processor
- Website building tools
- Wholesale food suppliers
- Wholesale stores
- Hiring & staffing
- Professional services
- Takeout / delivery services
- Stemware, apparel, menus
Free marketing resources for restaurants
- Ideas for promoting your restaurant without spending a penny
- Promote your business on Gastronomic SLC for free
- Free touch less restaurant menus with QR code
- How to send out a really great press release for a restaurant
- How to hold a media event for your restaurant
- List of food writers and broadcasters in Utah
- List of publications that cover food in Utah
- List of biggest Utah influencer accounts
- Checklist for starting a new restaurant
Utah restaurant industry resources
Looking for a specific Utah restaurant service or product? From fridges and freezers to payroll and POS – we’re here to help. Go back to our restaurant resources homepage.
Our sponsors and this page
This page may contain information about one of our sponsors. We only work with the very best businesses in the state, and routinely turn down offers to work with businesses we don't enjoy. If we can't hand on heart recommend them - they can't be a sponsor.
At this time we have the following sponosrs: BTG, Caffe Molise, Downtown Alliance, Feldman’s Deli, Felt Bar & Eatery, Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club, Garage On Beck, Hearth And Hill, Hill’s Kitchen, Kin Sen Asian Noodle Bar, Kyoto, Log Haven, Oasis Cafe, SLC Eatery, Squatter’s Downtown Salt Lake City, Stoneground Italian Kitchen, Urban Hill, Wasatch Brew Pub Sugar House, Whiskey Street, White Horse.
I encourage you to Google any of our sponsors and see the stellar reviews on multiple sites that they enjoy. For a list of all our current and past relationships see our partnership history page.