I want to start this post off by saying it's entirely possible that I'm looking at this the wrong way and what I really want is to just get in with an investment group.
For the longest time I've wanted a restaurant, I just always struggled with what kind of restaurant. I have so many ideas for what I want but I know I can only really manage one restaurant at a time. Ideally, I could just create the restaurant and have a full team to run it while I work on creating the next one, but I know that's almost impossible, especially by myself.
When I was in high school I became very interested in this restaurant that was opening that was almost exactly what I wanted. I found out it was ran by some guy that owned an investment group that owned several successful restaurants at the time and had everything set to open 2 new restaurants a year constantly. As soon as I graduated I tried so hard to get in with them because that was all I wanted to do in life. I knew I would start at the bottom and it would take years to work my way up. But I also knew that I have the drive and passion to make it happen. I just needed someone I could prove it to that could help me make it happen. The reason I thought about making this post is actually because I just found out that restaurant and the group was shut down because they got busted for money laundering, so it's probably for the better that I didn't get in with them. I just love the idea of creating exactly what I want and having the resources from the investment group to make it all happen.
After I finally figured out I wasn't gonna make it, life took a different direction. I sell cars now, it's a good job and I'm making solid money, but every day I'm just hoping I find someone that knows someone that can help me get into a similar spot, but I know the chances of that are almost impossible.
So back to the point of this post, am I looking at this the wrong way, should I focus more on finding an investment group, or is looking at it from the restaurant side the right way to go? I know I can make it, I just don't know how to start.
How do I get into the restaurant business?
byu/VastLeadership1008 inEntrepreneur
Posted by VastLeadership1008
13 Comments
If you like making money, don’t open a restaurant
Two questions:
Do you have experience managing a restaurant?
Do you have experience putting teams and companies together and rounding up investors?
If the answer to one is yes, then you need to learn the other thing.
If the answer to both is no, then you need to pick a lane and dig in for several years.
Honestly sounds like you got lucky dodging that money laundering bullet lmao
But real talk – you’re probably gonna have to start small and prove yourself first. Most investment groups aren’t gonna throw money at someone with zero restaurant experience, even if you’re passionate. Maybe start with a food truck or pop-up to build some credibility? Car sales actually gives you decent business skills that translate over
The “create restaurants while others run them” dream is totally doable but usually comes after you’ve already succeeded with at least one spot
Investment groups are not going to invest in someone without experience and a proven track record, and you won’t get in a partner in an investment group unless you’re bringing a lot of money to the table. I would highly advise you not to do this unless you are willing to learn the restaurant industry by getting years of experience in it. Restaurants are a really tough industry.
If I were you, I will stop thinking “own a restaurant” and start with “run one.” Get into an existing restaurant as an operator or GM, ideally with equity or profit share. That is where you learn systems, hiring, margins and what actually scales. Investment groups back operators with proven reps, not just ideas. Run first, then raise.
Own the building if you want to make money thats the most important factor in success.
I used to think the only way in was finding the right group too, but what helped me was starting closer to the work itself. Get real restaurant experience first and learn operations end to end, even if it feels like a step sideways from sales. That clarity makes it much easier to attract partners later because you know exactly what you are building.
It doesn’t sound like you’re looking at it the wrong way at all, just maybe idealizing the end state a bit. A lot of people who end up working with restaurant groups start by being deeply involved in one place first and proving they can run it day to day. Your passion comes through, and that’s important, but most investors want to see real operating experience before backing someone. It might not be as glamorous as building multiple concepts right away, but it’s often how people earn the trust and opportunities you’re hoping for.
Buy a food truck bro.
You are putting the wheels before the cart, before the horse. Running restaurants successfully is **hard**. Many, many people think they can run a restaurant because they know how to cook and fail miserably. Any investor who is not a fool is going to want a strong signal that you know what you’re doing before investing money into a low margin business that fails frequently.
Apply to be the general manager of some established restaurants and see if you can get an interview, then see if you can get hired. If you manage to get a job, use that to learn. If you can’t get a job, or even get an interview, that alone tells you that it is very unlikely a sane investor will trust you with their money.
This is the pitch deck for “Restaurant Nightmares”
“It’s a show about people who put tables and chairs in a room, but don’t know what roux is.
Getting into the restaurant business in 3 simple steps:
1. Take all of your money and put it in a big pile.
2. Light it on fire.
3. Enjoyed a slice of pizza in the warm glow of greenbacks going up in flames.
I’d that doesn’t deter you, here’s the best advice I can give:
1. Location is key, there needs to lots of easy parking, lots of foot traffic. Creating a destination spot that people will go out of their way for is really hard and a terrible gamble for your first go.
2. Simplicity is paramount. Simplicity of menu keeps your food costs lower, and keeps your training costs lower.
3. Have at least a year’s worth of runway in the bank.
After that it’s concept, buildout, team and trying to survive.
Just wait for one to declare bankruptcy then make an offer. You won’t have to wait long.