Do you have the desire to open your own restaurant but aren’t sure what you’ll need to get the business up and running?
To help anyone with a dream to start a restaurant business in Malaysia, we’ve compiled this simple restaurant guide. We’ll go over six (6) key considerations and we’ll keep it short and sweet for you so you don’t become too overwhelmed.
Let’s get started!
1. The Business Plan
One of the most critical tasks in beginning a new business is to create a business plan. A business plan will provide you a solid foundation and structure for your exciting new endeavor.
It is important to have a restaurant business plan as it serves as a guideline and a road map for the future growth of your restaurant. Basically, it’s a step-by-step guide to run your restaurant.
When drafting a restaurant business plan, keep in mind that it is for internal reference and clarity of thought. A business proposal is then created from the business plan and is presented to outside parties such as investors and financial authorities.
2. Obtain the Necessary Licences & Permissions
It is important that you ensure that all of the appropriate licences and permits for your specific business are obtained. You are required by law to have a licence and permits, especially when you are dealing more with food or products, which are consumed by people.
There are multiple licenses you need to obtain before you start your business in Malaysia. Depending on the nature of your f&b business, this could include, among other things, food handling licence, alcohol licences, and halal certificates.
Some general licences that are relevant to any business include:
- Company Registration
- Income Tax Business Licenses
- Employees Provident Fund
- Business Premise Licenses
- Signboard Licenses
- Music Authors’ Copyright Protection Berhad License
You can obtain the necessary forms from your local municipal websites, bring the required documents to your local municipal office, and apply in person. It is recommended that you go to the municipal office and inquire about the latest list. Don’t rely solely on the list on their website, as it may be out of date at times.
3. The Supply Chain
To keep your restaurant running effectively, you’ll need dependable suppliers. Find respectable, trustworthy suppliers and keep a positive relationship with them. This is necessary to ensure you receive the freshest food and ingredients and avoid running out.
Below are some of the supplier categories that you may need:
- Food ingredients Suppliers
- Beverages Suppliers
- Cleaning supplies Suppliers
It is recommended that your restaurant have a selection of supplier options to ensure pricing competition, product quality, and reliability. One thing to remember is that the person in charge must be diligent in paying the full amount on time to avoid paying high interest and fees.
4. Automate your operational functions
To automate your operations, you can either use a POS system, mobile ordering, online ordering through a website or apps, table management software and inventory management systems.
It would be beneficial to your restaurant’s efficiency and productivity if you could incorporate existing f&b operational systems and technologies.
A POS system allows you to:
- Manage customer orders and send them directly to the kitchen
- Manage table arrangements
- Manage reservations
- Accept multiple types of payments such as contactless ordering and credit card payment
- Integrate with food delivery systems
- Real time data & Analytics of operational standings
Are you searching for a F&B system that’s focused on F&B needs, easy to set up and help to expand your F&B business?
Check out the Slurp! POS, the best Malaysian F&B-focused POS for all of your f&b business administration needs.
Slurp! POS is an all-in-one F&B technology solution that offers:
- Unified background management system
- Cloud-enabled
- Customizable Table layout
- Inventory management
- Discounts & promotions
- Staff management
- Built-in tax function
- Multiple payment methods
- Order food online
- QR code ordering system
- Kitchen display system
5. Start Hiring
To be successful, most restaurants require a diverse workforce, including chefs, waiters, and managers. Hiring is one of the most aggravating components of any company.
We all want to hire the best people and have them stay with us for years, but it isn’t possible. When it comes to employing restaurant personnel, we do our best to find the right balance. Employee turnover is high in many restaurant businesses, resulting in inefficiencies and other business concerns.
Here’s some basic steps on how to start the hiring process:
- Identify the roles that need to be filled
- Create an outline of responsibilities
- Identify the best way to promote the job opening
- Create an effective selection process
- Make the interview count with the right questions
- Provide proper training
6. F&B marketing strategy
What methods would you use to attract customers to your new restaurant, cafe, or eatery?
Aside from traditional marketing methods (such as flyers, advertisements and television commercials) that can be expensive, most cost-effective way for a new F&B business to promote itself is to use social media (such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), which is the ideal marketing plan for any new F&B business to establish a presence without a large budget.
Tap here to read on how to Level Up Your Restaurant’s Social Media Marketing
You might also want to consider creating a Google My Business account for your restaurant.
Most people nowadays go on Google, and perform a quick search on where to dine and what to eat. Creating a ‘Google My Business’ account and developing your restaurant’s profile on Google would be great to establish your restaurant’s presence and make a mark in your area.
Click here to know how to sign up for Google My Business account.
Takeaways
The idea of opening a restaurant is awesome. However, starting a new F&B business from the ground up and successfully running it for years will be a major challenge and you’ll be in a bumpy ride but if you and your team keep working hard and persevere, you’ll reap the rewards in no time!
We sincerely hope that this article has helped you in some way to have a general idea on the basics on how to start a restaurant business in Malaysia.
All the best!
