Gastrobars are the craze of the moment. This business model — half bar, half restaurant — won the public over fast and carved out space in the market. But is it worth investing in this type of bar?
In this article, you'll understand what a gastrobar is and how it works, and you'll also find some tips for setting up your business and making it a success. Enjoy!
What is a gastrobar and how does it work?
The name itself gives it away: gastronomy + bar.
The gastrobar trend started in London, the land of pubs, in 1991, when David Eyre and Mike Belben opened The Eagle. Ou seja: já existe há mais de 30 anos e não é nenhuma novidade.
The idea was to keep the laid-back vibe of traditional pubs, but put a lot more care into the food.
That's because, until then, pubs focused on drinks and served only simple snacks. So the innovation was adding more sophisticated, well-prepared dishes to the menu.
So, we can define a gastrobar as the combination of restaurant-quality food with the drinks and informal atmosphere of bars. And it goes without saying that this mix is a big hit, right?
But does investing in this type of business pay off? That's what we'll look at right below. Follow along!
Leia também: What are the best types of restaurants to invest in?
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Is it worth opening a gastrobar?
If you want to start a business and are thinking about opening a gastrobar, there are a few points you need to weigh before you start investing. This business model is indeed promising, but it has particularities that need to be considered.
The bar and restaurant market is broad and highly competitive. One of the advantages of a gastrobar is that it brings together the best of both worlds. Customers can have fun and drink without giving up a quality meal.
Leia também: 8 Bar Ideas for Building a Successful Business
That said, even within the gastrobar niche competition is growing. So, keep in mind that you'll need to find a differentiator. Inovar no cardápio é a principal estratégia para se destacar, mas decoração, drinks autorais e experiência também contam.
In fact, the customer experience is another factor that deserves attention. The gastrobar crowd is demanding. People who go to these places are looking for quality in the food and drinks, excellent service and a pleasant atmosphere.
If you're able to deliver on all of these, your business is sure to be a success! Below, see a step-by-step guide to setting up a gastrobar.
Step by step: how do you set up a gastrobar?
Setting up a gastrobar is a big challenge. Like any business, you have to go through some stages before you can finally open the doors to the public. To help, we created this essential step-by-step guide so your business starts off right! Check it out:
1. Market research
Before anything else, it's essential to know the market, look into what sets competitors apart, understand your target audience's preferences and the specifics of the area where you plan to operate.
2. Business Plan
After mapping out all the aspects above, start building your gastrobar's Business Plan. It should include, among other points: financial planning, operating processes and marketing strategy.
3. Concept
As we saw earlier, standing out in the market requires an original concept. Draw on your market research to create your business's identity and also a value proposition.
There are several possible paths: a specialized menu, a specific theme, a decor style, signature drinks or even a mix of all of it.
4. Location
Your gastrobar's location is a critical aspect that deserves all your attention and care. The wrong spot can drive your business into failure within a few months.
Go for easy-to-reach places with good foot traffic and available parking. Also check the operating regulations for the area and get to know the neighborhood well.
Learn more: The 5 mistakes you can't make when choosing the location for your business
5. Licenses and paperwork
In addition to all the paperwork to get your CNPJ and open the company, you also need licenses before you can start operating.
For example: Operating and Location Permit, Fire Department Inspection Certificate. Health Surveillance License, among others.
Get everything in order so you don't risk fines or being shut down.
6. Decor
Decor is one of your gastrobar's draws, so it's worth hiring a professional to create a welcoming, well-lit and cozy space. Make the most of your space and give the place the face of your business.
7. Menu
The difference between a bar and a gastrobar lies in the quality of the dishes offered. So the menu is where your gastrobar has a big opportunity to set itself apart from the rest.
Choose a good chef for this mission. Innovate in ingredients, preparation and plating. And it's always worth stressing: customers want quality above all!
Also check out: 9 steps to create a tasting menu
8. Infrastructure and equipment
Get the equipment you need, from the checkout to the kitchen. Infrastructure matters a lot for your operation to flow without surprises and problems.
A tip: get a dedicated internet connection for running your systems and keep a separate open network for customers. That way you avoid overload and slowdowns.
9. Systems
To give your customers the best experience, rely on technology! On the market you'll find bar systems and solutions that automate the operation end to end. For example:
- POS system (Point of Sale)
- KDS system (Kitchen Display System)
- ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning)
- digital or electronic tabs
- digital menu
These are some of the solutions we recommend for gastrobars that want to gain efficiency and security — and boost profits!
10. Team
Hire chefs, bartenders, waiters and other skilled, experienced professionals to make up your team. Run training so everyone understands the operating processes, learns to use the systems and knows how to serve customers well.
11. Marketing
All set? It's time to get the word out about your business and attract customers!
Register your venue on Google My Business, create social media profiles, invest in ads, prepare promotional campaigns and let everyone know a new gastrobar has opened!
Leia também: Restaurant soft opening: how to run your pre-opening
3 tips for a successful gastrobar
Running a gastrobar takes the ability to think up effective strategies and a lot of attention to detail. With that in mind, we've put together three tips to help you build a profitable business:
1. Opening hours
A gastrobar's opening hours can be broader than a regular bar's. Opening for lunch, for example, can be a chance to attract a different crowd from the nighttime one and boost profits.
Another option is opening earlier in the afternoon and running happy hours, serving the corporate crowd looking to unwind after the workday.
Analyze your market research and your customers' behavior to set opening hours that maximize your revenue.
2. Service
Fast, personalized service is one of the biggest drivers of customer loyalty. So rely on technology and train your team to deliver excellent service.
Bar systems, such as EPOC, have features that make the operation more efficient. For example: if you have a digital menu or a Self-Service Kiosk, your customer won't have to wait for the waiter to place an order.
You can also automate processes and speed up service. The software lets the waiter send the order straight to the kitchen or bar, without having to walk over there.
It's a productivity gain that, at the end of the day, makes all the difference — not only for service, but also for the profitability of the business.
3. Data analysis
Managers who make data-driven decisions come out ahead. That's because, with solid grounding, it's much easier to get your strategies right.
Ideally, your gastrobar's system should record all of your operation's information, from purchasing and inventory to sales.
That way, you can generate reports and charts to analyze results, keep a close eye on your finances, understand your customers' consumption patterns, and optimize purchasing and inventory.
So take advantage of technology to gain more business intelligence and accelerate your growth.
Count on EPOC to manage your gastrobar
EPOC offers the most complete gastrobar management platform on the market. Count on us to take your operation to the next level and reach your business's full potential!
Read other articles on our blog to keep up with trends and learn more about bar management. Or get in touch with our specialists to find out how we can help.
