1. Type of Restaurant
Initially, the type of restaurant, concept and environment that you cashapp database to create must be defined. This vision of the desired restaurant must be clear and objective, as this will make it easier to make decisions. For example:
Do you want to open a typical Portuguese barbecue or a vegetarian restaurant?
Will you opt for a relaxed environment or a more formal space?
Will there be a dish of the day or just à la carte service?
Will the menu be fixed or will it vary depending on the season?
Will you offer a variety of drinks or just a few options?
The answers to these questions help define the type of restaurant, the atmosphere and the type of meals that will be served. They also help in choosing the space, as well as hiring staff.

2. Restaurant Location
Choosing the right location is crucial to the success of your desired restaurant. Are you going to choose a store in a shopping mall or a street restaurant? To make the best choice for the type of restaurant you want, consider the following points:
How many people frequent the area and what is their age range?
How much is the rent?
Is there parking nearby?
What infrastructures are there?
What works need to be done?
3. Restaurant Licensing
Licensing a restaurant is simple, especially due to the simplified installation and operation regime approved by the State - Zero Licensing. Therefore, to open a restaurant, you only need to notify the Balcão do Empreendedor of the opening or modification of the business.
For financial and tax matters, consider hiring an accountant. This will ensure that you comply with all existing tax and legal obligations.
4. Business Plan
It is very important to draw up a detailed business plan, which includes initial investment expenses, how long it will take to recover this amount and the associated monthly fixed costs:
Investment Expenses
Kitchen and dining area equipment;
Renovation and decoration works of the space;
Air conditioning, sound and image system;
Computer equipment and software;
Licenses and charges for setting up the company;
Unforeseen costs.
Fixed Costs
Employee salaries;
Space income;
Loan repayment (if necessary);
Space expenses (water, electricity, gas, telephone, television and internet);
Cleaning services;
Accounting services;
Insurance and payment of taxes due;
Equipment maintenance.
5. Financing
Financing is also a key point that must be considered. There are several options available to finance the initial investment:
Bank credit - consult the different banks and carefully analyze their proposals;
Microcredit - alternative financing to bank credit;
IEFP support - with access to credit lines such as Microinvest and Invest+;
Venture Capital;
Crowfunding - online collaborative financing;
Financing for young entrepreneurs - Finicia .
6. Billing Program
It is extremely important to have a certified billing program that meets the restaurant's needs, allowing, for example, management of rooms and tables and orders for the kitchen. This is the case of Vendus - online billing software - which works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, IOS, laptop, mobile phone and tablet:
Fast and no installation required;
Low cost monthly or annual payment;
Purchasing management;
Room and table management;
Presentation of statistics and reports;
Compatible with receipt printers and A4 printers;
Free updates;
Phone, email and chat support.
7. Qualified Professionals
Competence, taste or experience in catering are some of the characteristics you should look for in professionals you hire for your restaurant:
Friendly, hospitable;
Good customer service;
Good interpersonal communication;
Agility and organizational capacity.
If you have questions about how and what type of staff you should hire, you can consult our articles How to Conduct a Job Interview and Advantages and Disadvantages of Part-time Work .