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how do you host a grand opening in a restaurant/lounge

Sent to General Experts June 22 2007 at 3:18 AM
   

I am purchasing a restaurant/lonunge in New Jersey that is about 8 months old. I would like to have a grand opening as there has never been a formal one. How do I do it in style?

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Info Request
June 22 2007 at 5:34 AM (2 hours and 15 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
What kind of restaurant is this (Pizza, casual dining, fine dining)?

What is your target market segment (families, couples, older established professionals)?

Is this rural, urban, small town, off the interstate?

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FamilyPhysician -- Internet Researcher -- 83% Positive Feedback on 60 General Accepts
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June 22 2007 at 12:00 PM (6 hours and 26 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
Reply to FamilyPhysician's Post: It it a casual/fine dining establishment with a seperate bar/lounge area that is under utilized.
They serve Italian (touscan style) food. My primary target area would be the business working class, as it is relatively close to several large commercial complexes. Followed by family and a 25 to 65 crowd at the bar and in the lounge area. I also plan to install several big screen TV's to bring in the sports crowd on the weekends and on Monday night. Finally, it is located on a main street in a strip mall with plenty of parking about 1 mile off of the parkway. Hope this helps.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 22 2007 at 12:20 PM (20 minutes and 6 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Yes that helps...

Since this establishment has been open for 8 months, it doesn't make much sense calling this a Grand Opening. I would suggest one of two options: A Grand Re-Opening, or waiting 4 months (that may be too long for you) to have a Gala First Anniversary Celebration. Other options would be Grand SummerFest, Touscan Wine Fest, or something that you would use as an ANNUAL festival.

I would suggest a weekend afternoon/evening event with entertainment, possibly a live radio broadcast, and depeding on your budget - a drawing for a Tuscan Vacation. (The local radio station, and several other businesses in the strip mall could work together on this contest - with a final drawing at your ItalianFest. Finalists would be selected in the usual radio station 10th caller or with a trivia contest call in)

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FamilyPhysician -- Internet Researcher -- 83% Positive Feedback on 60 General Accepts
Researching answers to questions online for 20+ years.
Info Request
June 22 2007 at 3:56 PM (3 hours and 35 minutes and 52 seconds later)
         

Hello JB,

Familyphysician is correct. Creating an annual event gives life to your establishment, and cements your place in the community. Giving away a prize or donating something to the community, usually something child orientated is great. Consider a block party, where you block off the street, have a band, booths with different types of food, with everything Italian themed.

I can't stress enough, getting involved in your community. Whether it's buying the uniforms for a sports team, giving out t-shirts at special events, having bimonthly specialty events, etc. All of these thing can also garner you mentions on the radio, as well as the local paper and television.

Hope this helps.

Chase

PS, if/when you accept, please accept Family's answer. I was just pitching in *wink*



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Ms Chase -- Research Expert -- 98% Positive Feedback on 183 General Accepts
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June 25 2007 at 3:10 AM (2 days and 11 hours later)
         
Reply to FamilyPhysician's Post: Thank you for the repsonse but I was looking for a more specific type answer. I need more help on invitations, decor, menu and the like. There is a book available called "The Guide to Grand Openings" which I'm trying to locate. Thanks anyway for the thoughts.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 25 2007 at 9:21 AM (6 hours and 11 minutes and 42 seconds later)
         
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