Residents in our town love to go out for fast food, steak, pizza and coffee. A lot of San Diego real estate is devoted to feeding people – perhaps you’re interested in joining the party? There has been a surge over the last three decades in food-service operations, and notwithstanding the recession, eating out or take-home is still very popular if the price points are set properly and the quality is good. Demographics indicate that everyone in a family who can get a job is working, with little time for food preparation. And many people just have no interest in cooking – sorry Food Network.
Ask the person on the street, and they will tell you that they want fresh baked bread without baking it themselves. Another thing they’ll tell you is that they don’t want to wash dishes or clean up afterwards. The take-out phenomenon is exploding – it’s hard to find a community that isn’t saturated with delightful take-out food, from Chinese to Thai. So it’s understandable that so many entrepreneurs are interested in starting restaurants, chains and take-out joints in our fair city. Before you get too excited, check with a property manager San Diego centered to find out the cost of leased facilities.
If you have your finances lined up, consider your marketing strategy. You can’t expect to appeal to everyone, so pick a niche and try to capture five to ten percent of the local market. Here are some market categories to consider:
- The 1946-1964 Generation: The Baby Boomers are the biggest target group and include a lot of affluent members. These are the types who frequent upscale restaurants and leave large tips. They go for formal establishments, except when they have the grandkids in tow, in which case a family-friendly vibe is more important.
- The 1965-1977 Generation: Known as Generation X, this group has strong family values, emphasizing their relationships with their children. You can snag them with good values and quick service. Consider an all-you-can-eat salad bar and buffet. The atmosphere should be comfortable and relaxed.
- The 1980-2000 Generation: This is Generation Y. They want it quick and hot. If you run a burger or pizza franchise, your clientele is mostly composed of Y’ers. This group is ethnically diverse and economically challenged, so they like low prices and aren’t too fussy otherwise.
- Senior and Empty Nesters: They want deals, coupons and BOGOs. They order ice water with lemon instead of soft drinks, and want thirds on free bread. Appeal to these folks with early-bird specials, senior menus, and tasty soups made from yesterday’s leftovers. Many seniors have less hearty appetites, so don’t lard up their plates with unwanted food.