Starting a restaurant is a great idea for people who are passionate about food. There are many restaurateurs that have established themselves in the industry by maintaining a top-notch standard and offering quality foods. Bradley Parker is one such example. He is the founder and the CEO of Parker Restaurant Group, a hospitality company that owns and manages three eatery spots: The Hampton Social, Speakeasy, and a live music lounge. If you are thinking of following in the footsteps of Bradley Parker, here are a few things that you should know.
Find a concept that holds true and responds to a real need
The first key to success? Stand out from the competition. “Having a good idea is good, but you have to evaluate its viability from a financial point of view. The development of a business plan is essential because it allows you to ask the right questions, “says Frédéric Coupard, the Breton at the head of the Breizh Café on the Boulevard Saint-Laurent for 6 years. “Here, banks are cautious about lending to restaurant managers because there are a lot of bankruptcies! In Montreal, one restaurant in two that opens does not survive more than 3 years: there is too much competition and too many people who start without having management skills. It does not work like that!
For his part, in January 2019, Jérôme Ferrer launched his new restaurant soberly named “Jérôme Ferrer”. “We put my name forward with a completely new concept: bistro lunch, big table in the evening, tea room in the afternoon, takeaway and lounge bar too” said the French chef who doubts daily. “We are always afraid that it will not work, that customers will not visit us.”
Bradley Parker attended Deerfield High School and got his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Indiana University. Parker is one of the youngest restaurateurs in the industry and his brand, the Hampton Social, has quickly grown by leaps and bounds. Today, the brand has become one of the leading lights in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He is also the owner and the operator of the Bevy Nightclub and has established himself as one of the leading businesses in the area. Parker also opened “Mahalo,” a casual and contemporary Hawaiian eatery that’s set up in Wicker Park. These are just a few things that you should know about starting a restaurant.
