Opening a restaurant is a thrilling venture, but it also requires careful planning and execution. Your restaurant's grand opening is your first chance to make a lasting impression, and you want to get it right. 

From choosing the right moment to open the doors to ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, there’s a lot on your plate. 

Having a reliable back-of-house (BOH) technology from the start like MarketMan is crucial. Inventory management software gives you the tools to manage inventory, streamline orders, and ensure your team is set up for success from day one. Ready to make your grand opening a hit? Book a demo with an expert today.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 do’s and don’ts of a restaurant grand opening.

1. Do Launch with a Soft Opening First

Before your big grand opening, test the waters with a soft opening. A soft opening is a preview event where you invite a limited number of guests—usually friends, family, and VIPs—to experience your restaurant before the official launch. The difference between a soft opening and a grand opening is that the former is a trial run intended to help you identify and fix any operational issues before the official launch.

Soft openings allow restaurateurs to test their kitchen, staff, and technology in a real-world setting without the pressure of a full crowd. It’s also an opportunity to gather valuable feedback that can be used to fine-tune operations before the grand opening.

When putting together the guest list for the soft opening, identify who your key stakeholders, local influencers, and most loyal supporters are. This group will not only give you honest feedback but will also help generate buzz for your grand opening. When your guests are there day of the soft opening, observe the flow of service, timing, and customer reactions. 

Take the feedback seriously and make necessary adjustments. Whether it's tweaking the menu, improving service, or fine-tuning your restaurant management system, these changes can be crucial for your grand opening's success.

Let your guests know when the grand opening will be, and consider offering them an incentive to return, such as a discount or special offer. A soft opening should typically be held 1-2 weeks before the grand opening, giving you enough time to implement any necessary changes.

Don’t Skip Out on Setting Up Your Technology

You might be tempted to think that you can get by without fully setting up your technology for a soft opening, but that’s a risky move. Since there are often just a few weeks between the soft and grand opening, it’s important to treat the soft opening as a dress rehearsal for the main event. Your inventory management software and integrated POS system should be up and running to prevent any hiccups that could derail your grand opening.

Ensure all technological systems are fully operational before your soft opening, so you're ready to hit the ground running when you open your doors to the public.

2. Do Schedule Enough Staff

One of the most critical steps to opening a restaurant is ensuring you have the right team in place. Your staff will be the face of your restaurant, and having enough hands on deck is crucial for a smooth operation. From the kitchen to the front-of-house, every team member plays a vital role in delivering a great dining experience.

Before your grand opening, review your staffing needs and consider factors like expected foot traffic, menu complexity, and the size of your restaurant. Schedule enough staff for both the soft and grand openings, and have a backup plan in case of no-shows or last-minute changes.

Don’t Forget to Train Staff on Technology

While customer service training is often prioritized, training on technology can sometimes be overlooked. However, a well-trained team can significantly enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of your restaurant operations. 

When staff is comfortable and confident with the technology, they can process orders more quickly, manage inventory more accurately, and eliminate tedious manual tasks.

Ensure your team is proficient with the tools they'll use daily, such as your POS, inventory management platform, and reservation system. Conduct mock orders and run through potential complications to ensure they can troubleshoot independently when guests are present.

Proper training will empower your staff to handle any situation with confidence, ensuring a seamless experience for your customers during your grand opening.

3. Do Promote Your Grand Opening Online

Creating buzz for your grand opening restaurant is key to drawing in a crowd. Start by putting together a guest list that includes local influencers, food bloggers, and loyal customers who can help spread the word.

Use social media platforms to your advantage—share behind-the-scenes photos, teaser videos, and countdowns to build anticipation. 

An online presence can help amplify your grand opening announcement, ensuring you reach a broad audience. Consider setting up a Facebook event or using Instagram Stories to engage with potential customers.

Don’t Rush the Opening

The excitement of finally opening your restaurant can tempt you to rush the process, but be patient. 

Opening before everything is fully ready can lead to oversights that might tarnish your restaurant’s reputation from the start. If needed, delay the grand opening to ensure that everything from the menu to the staffing is perfect. A smooth and successful grand opening is well worth the extra time.

4. Do Engage with the Community

Engaging with the local community is an essential part of your restaurant’s success. Building relationships with neighboring businesses, local influencers, and potential customers can create a supportive environment and encourage word-of-mouth marketing. 

Consider hosting a community event before the grand opening or collaborating with local vendors to build goodwill and establish a presence in the neighborhood during the day of the launch. You’ll draw in more customers, get a head start on building professional relationships, and create a network of local supporters. This proactive engagement can lead to increased visibility, a strong local reputation, and a steady stream of loyal patrons.

Don’t Forget to Follow Up with Guests

After the grand opening, it’s important to maintain the momentum. Continue to engage with your community through follow-up events, promotions, and ongoing marketing efforts. Don’t let the excitement fizzle out—keeping your restaurant top-of-mind will help build a loyal customer base and encourage repeat visits.

Encourage guests to post on social media, engage with supporters online, and host themed events from time to time. Add customers to your mailing lists and reward their loyalty with a well-designed loyalty program. These efforts will not only keep your restaurant bustling with activity but also foster long-term relationships that contribute to the sustained success of your business.

5. Do Offer Special Promotions

Offering grand opening specials, discounts, or complimentary items can be a great way to attract customers and encourage them to try your restaurant. 

These promotions create an incentive for people to come in, helping you build a customer base quickly. 

Some special offers include:

• First Visit Discount: Offer a 20% discount on the total bill for first-time customers who visit during the grand opening week or offer a discount for the next time they visit. This serves as a strong incentive for patrons to stop by for the first time or to return for their second time.
• Buy-One-Get-One-Free Deals: Implement a buy-one-get-one-free offer on popular items like appetizers or desserts. This type of promotion can appeal to pairs or groups, encouraging them to order more and increasing your chances of turning them into repeat customers.
• Complimentary Welcome Drink: Greet guests with a complimentary signature cocktail or mocktail upon arrival. This small gesture can enhance their experience and make them feel valued, setting a positive tone for their visit.

Don’t Overwhelm Your Kitchen

While promotions can bring in more customers, be mindful of your kitchen's capacity. Overloading your kitchen and staff with too many offers can lead to long wait times and unhappy customers. Ensure that any promotions you offer are manageable for your team during the grand opening, so you can maintain high-quality service throughout the event.

Your restaurant's grand opening is your chance to make a lasting impression, and with the right planning and execution, it can be a resounding success. From conducting a soft opening to engaging with the community and promoting your event online, each step plays a crucial role in setting the stage for a successful launch. 

Streamline operations, cut food costs, and automate inventory management with powerful restaurant management software. MarketMan helps restaurateurs take control of their back-of-house tasks, reduce waste, and make data-driven decisions effortlessly. Say goodbye to manual work and focus on what matters most: growing your business. Book a demo today to see how MarketMan can elevate your restaurant operations!