How to Start a Pizzeria
Pizza shops are one of the country’s most popular types of restaurants. On average, 93% of Americans buy pizza at least once a month, so opening a pizza shop could be a great investment for you.
How to Open a Pizza Shop
With pizza shops open around the country, you can find plenty of inspiration for how to shape your new business. Before you decide to invest, it is important for you to know what goes into starting a pizza business. If you need guidelines for opening a pizza shop, consider the following steps to make sure you are doing everything you should.
1. Learn to Make the Perfect Pizza
Let's face it: because of the high demand for pizza restaurants, you can find one on almost any town street. In order to make your pizza business memorable to your customers, hone your craft to make sure your pizza is unique and tastes great. High-quality and fresh ingredients will make for the best taste. If you're feeling creative, experiment with various toppings to design a pizza that's all yours. Make sure to write down each step so your pizzas taste the same each time.
2. Write a Business Plan for Your Pizzeria
Make sure to complete all necessary legal and business paperwork before you start a pizza business. Because most states require you to obtain a business license, you'll want to make sure all of these requirements are in place before opening your doors. Additionally, a liquor license is a necessity if you plan to serve alcoholic beverages. Make sure to write a concrete business plan, noting all the paperwork that must be done and types of insurance (liability, property, etc.) that should be obtained. Writing this plan can also help you determine how much it costs to open a pizza shop in your area. If you note all of your expenses and business requirements, you can have a good idea of what your investment will be before you put money into the business.
3. Find a Great Location for Your Pizza Business
Some healthy competition can be a good thing in the restaurant world, but you don't want to be overshadowed by the most popular pizza place in town. When choosing a location to open your pizza place, try to find an area where similar restaurants are scarce. You may not want to start your new business where there are several open pizza places with more established customer bases. It's also important to find a spot that isn't hidden from view. If possible, choose a location that gets heavy foot traffic, faces a busy street, and features plenty of parking spaces. If your pizza shop is open and inviting to passersby, you'll be more likely to bring in new customers.
4. Stock Up on Pizza Business Equipment
Do some research to learn about the equipment you'll need for your pizzeria's specific needs. For example, it's crucial to have an oven that will cook your dough to perfection, so consider a commercial pizza oven or a brick oven for this need. Commercial coolers are also important for keeping your ingredients at an appropriate temperature until they are ready for use.
Also, don’t forget to stock up on pizza delivery equipment to cater to your customers who want take-out. You should invest in plenty of pizza delivery bags and boxes to keep your products warm and intact on their way to your customers. Finally, consider the basic preparation supplies you'll need: pizza cutters, cutting boards, serving utensils, and plates, to name a few.
5. Create a Menu for Your Pizza Shop
Plan the types of food you'll serve at your pizzeria. Aside from various types of pizza, you might consider serving other classic Italian fare: subs, sandwiches, pasta, garlic bread, and more. Make sure not to add an item to your menu unless you're sure you can prepare it consistently. Quality is better than quantity; if your menu is small but filled with high-quality dishes, you can gain repeat customers. Try our menu designer for more ideas.
6. Interview and Hire Qualified Employees
Your employees will be the face of your pizzeria, so you want to make sure they'll represent you in the best way possible. When interviewing candidates, look for positive, warm personalities. It's important that customers feel comfortable interacting with your staff. Also look for potential employees who are genuinely interested in becoming a part of your restaurant. If they care about the success of your pizzeria, they are more likely to put forth hard work and good effort.
7. Plan an Advertising Campaign
While you don't need to inundate your town with news about your pizzeria, it's important that local citizens know about its existence. Create an ad for the local paper or even consider holding a grand opening to draw in customers. Getting the word out while you start up a pizza shop could help give you an advantage, especially if pizza businesses are already popular in your area.
It's also important to consider expanding your advertising online. Social media offer excellent platforms where businesses can create their own pages and promote them to users. Also, consider joining Yelp so that your patrons can easily learn about your restaurant and even leave feedback. Best of all, social media platforms are free to join, which could help you offset some of your pizza shop’s startup costs. Create an appealing website and appropriate social media accounts to craft an online presence that will help your customers learn about your pizzeria, find its location, and even peruse your menu.
8. Set Up the Interior of Your Pizza Shop
