5 Most Important Things When Starting a Sushi Business

People love to dine out despite what their bank statement says, as it provides an experience that makes the food all the more tasty. With that said, your restaurant is only as good as the last dish served. One mistake and your reputation may take a stall.

This is especially important in a sushi business, where most guests would want to enjoy the rich Japanese cuisine. What makes a sushi business viable is that you can get started with a low startup capital as compared to other restaurants. However, overtime you will have to improve the features in the restaurant to make sure your customers are able to enjoy the fine dining experience. With that said, there are 5 important considerations before starting a sushi restaurant/bar.

Feasibility Report

It is advisable to conduct a feasibility study before starting your sushi business. This can help you realize how much startup capital you need. Ideally, you should first overview whether you want to set up a standard sushi restaurant or a Japanese-themed sushi bar. Yes, they are both different in terms of look, experience, and the food that is served.

Location

Once you have that finalized, look for locations which you can rent out for your sushi restaurant. If your sushi business is based in a food street with a direct competitor, then you may have a hard time in the first few months. Ideally, look for a populated locality with little to no direct competition, and consider the regulations imposed by the food authority to make sure you are in compliance.

Authenticity

When it comes to sushi, people are very peculiar about authenticity. Sushi is made of cooked brown or white rice combined with raw fish, seafood, meat, vegetables, and tropical fruits. If you didn’t know, there are over 50 types of sushi, and even western variations like Uramaki and Makizushi, often served with soy sauce or ginger. Hence, if your sushi business has an authentic feel and offers a wide range of sushi, you are doing a good job in getting started the right way.

Marketing Strategy                                                                                            

Your marketing strategy will have a profound impact on the type of people that visit your sushi business. For instance, if you market your sushi restaurant as affordable and open 24/7, then you are serving a large demographic market. However, if you effectively market your sushi restaurant as an upscale dining experience, then you get the right customers to visit you.

The Chef

Other than the waiters/waitresses, cleaning, and management staff, hiring the right chef can be a make or break decision. Sushi is popular around the world and your guests would expect to indulge in the most luscious dining experience. Hence, it is important to hire a chef who meets the following requirements:

$1·         Has a love for food

$1·         Ability to sense, taste, and smell

$1·         Knows the right combination of textures and failures

$1·         Loves to experiment

$1·         Ready to work for long hours

Do realize that chefs today are paid handsomely. Thus, having a reliable and friendly chef is the most important factor in running a successful sushi business that only shows signs of growth!