A Soft Opening Primer for Startup Operators

A with so many areas in the restaurant industry, there is no shortage of opinions on how to best execute a "soft opening". Not surprisingly, soft openings can vary from one market and one restaurant to another.

"For some businesses," according to the National Restaurant Association, "it means quietly opening their doors without any advertisements or fanfare; for others, it's hosting a Friends and Family Night, or a charity event that provides valuable practice before opening to the general public." The Association's advice: "If a soft opening doesn't work into one's plans, then find another way for your staff to practice, like having half your employees serve the rest."

"I have been doing restaurant openings for over 30 years," says Chris Tripoli, FCSI, the principal of the A'la Carte Consulting Group in Houston, Texas, "Although the principals may be the same, I have found that no two operators manage their principals in the same way. Every opening is a little different."