Advice on starting a takeaway with a "twist"

[lmcro]

Hello everyone!

Ive come here via a google search looking for a bit of advice. Basically just down the road from my house there is a vacant premesis that used to be an estage agents. It has been vacant for a while and i think it would be the perfect place for a "certain type" of takeaway (plenty of parking nearby, surrounded by houses and shops)

So what im wondering is where does a noobie (who has had no experience in starting up a business like this) begin?

Im starting completely from scratch here and know this is going to be very difficult but this particular type of takeaway is few and far between and in this day and age of healthy eating i know it could be incredibly lucrative.

I would especially like to here from people who own takeaways and what process they took to start the whole thing up.

Any advice is appreciated.

[wood1e]

Firstly I would check to see if the property is available and for how much.

At the same time the owner/estate agent will be able to tell you what the property is registered for. As there are certain levels for what a commercial property can be used for.

Then if you take up the lease, and there is a need to change it's usage, you will have to got to the council and get it changed.

I would include all the neighbours of this property, because if I was living next to a take away I would not be happy, the smell, the drunken behaviour of people on the way home after a night out.

Then there is Health and Safety, you would possibly have to sit some basic form of NVQ to actual be licenced to sell food.

I think there is a separate one for frying food, as opposed from just sandwiches.

Then there is buying the euipment to cook the food...Ebay probably could provide a fair bit second hand.

Then there is setting up a company, if that's the way you want to go.

Then there is indemity insurance, just in case you kill someone with the cooking or the hot fat!!!

So a fair amount to do...

Good luck

[seanstevens]

Also, you say that "you" think it would be perfect for a certain type of takeaway, what about everyone else? I know you do not want to discuss with the whole town about what you want to do, but a few enquiries might tell you if there really is a customer base for what you want to do

[Indizine]

Yes you need do your market research to establish there is a demand. Sell what people want to buy, not sell what you want people to buy.

Make sure that when you spot a gap in the market, there is a market in that gap.

[lmcro]

Firstly I would check to see if the property is available and for how much.

At the same time the owner/estate agent will be able to tell you what the property is registered for. As there are certain levels for what a commercial property can be used for.

Then if you take up the lease, and there is a need to change it's usage, you will have to got to the council and get it changed.

I would include all the neighbours of this property, because if I was living next to a take away I would not be happy, the smell, the drunken behaviour of people on the way home after a night out.

Then there is Health and Safety, you would possibly have to sit some basic form of NVQ to actual be licenced to sell food.

I think there is a separate one for frying food, as opposed from just sandwiches.

Then there is buying the euipment to cook the food...Ebay probably could provide a fair bit second hand.

Then there is setting up a company, if that's the way you want to go.

Then there is indemity insurance, just in case you kill someone with the cooking or the hot fat!!!

So a fair amount to do...

Good luck

Ok ill see if there is a number i can ring tomorrow and get a bit of info. I dont think the smell will be a problem as i cant imagine this particular type of takeaway would smell very much. If it does i think itll be quite a pleasant one.

I think i will print your post out and use it as a starting point.

Also, you say that "you" think it would be perfect for a certain type of takeaway, what about everyone else? I know you do not want to discuss with the whole town about what you want to do, but a few enquiries might tell you if there really is a customer base for what you want to do

Well this will be the only one of its kind in my town. The only similar thing is not a takeaway and its a few miles away. Its always packed. Having said that im sure a bit of market research wouldnt hurt.

Yes you need do your market research to establish there is a demand. Sell what people want to buy, not sell what you want people to buy.

Make sure that when you spot a gap in the market, there is a market in that gap.

Thankyou for advice i will be sure to bear that in mind.

Anybody else got any input? its all appreciated. Anybody who owns a takeaway already want to share anything? Maybe this could become "the" thread for all-you-need-to-know on how to start a takeaway.

Thanks guys.