How to Design Menu for your Cafe or chic Bakery?

 Of late I get calls from acquaintances and students asking many a question around starting a restaurant. Some these questions are around the tools and equipment for use in a bakery and also what are the unique yet simple ways to design a menu. 

When I get such calls, I too excited as I feel I can contribute in their journey of starting a biz. However,with bakeries starting in every corner, the bakery biz market is saturated. Unless, the owners come with something unique in their menu or brand positioning, or find an untapped location. 

So, what makes the bakery biz click. 

Here's what I can think of 

1. Location ( Look for parking space, accessible spot) 

2. Set the place without heavy investment

3. Avoid paying high rent

4. Get on board the right chef or baker and assistant ( Give proper training and set the right expectations from them)

5. Learn baking/cooking. Owners should be ready to take charge if chef or assistant is on leave. In short, don't depend everything on the employee or your star rated chef. 

6. Add some unique recipe or give a twist to a recipe ( For example, I recently made two variation out of tapioca ( Kappa as we call it). One was with Italian herbs and another was North Indian flavor using chat masala)

7. Target a specific audience ( Are you catering to millennium crowd, or family folks). So, make the interiors and menu for this audience. 

8. Do the homework ( study similar business and see how they are running. What will be cash flow you'll be expecting)

9. Where are you sourcing your staff? Make sure you get the right staff for serving and in the kitchen. They are your bread and butter! 

10. Know what's happening in your restaurant. Avoid remote management, unless you have a trusted aide to check the daily activities.