Running a sandwich shop sounds simple enough; after all, how hard can it be to put in a couple of ingredients between two pieces of bread and then serve them with chips? It is not exactly rocket science, but the fact is that there is a lot more to consider when you want to own a sandwich shop than just deciding between turkey and ham. There are other factors that also need some attention such as your location, team, employees and most importantly, your menu. If you wish to succeed in owning and running a sandwich shop, here are some simple tips that can be immensely helpful in this situation:
Know your customers
The lifeblood of a sandwich shop are its customers so you need to think about them whenever you are taking any decision. This is especially relevant when you are deciding your shop’s location because the location of the franchise is directly connected to the customers who will come in. Before you make any big decisions such as signing a lease, it is essential for you to take the area into account and determining how it will impact your business. For instance, if you are thinking of opening a sandwich shop, you need to see what kind of clientele you will get before making up your mind.
Hire a great team
Running a sandwich shop well can depend on the kind of team you have. Yes, it is a given that a sandwich shop needs to have the proper permits and licenses for handling and serving food, but this is not all. You also need excellent employees because they can help in ensuing that your shop runs smoothly. When you hire good employees, they can provide your customers with a comfortable and pleasant experience that can make them come back for more. You need to provide them with proper training not only in dealing with customers, but also in making the sandwiches. They should look good and also taste the same and strict standards on cleanliness should be followed. Lastly, hire people you can trust to run the shop in your absence because you may not be present round the clock.
Think about the menu
While sandwiches are undoubtedly delicious, they are not very difficult to find and are available in almost every other restaurant. Therefore, you need to have something special that can set your sandwiches apart from the rest. Obviously, you don’t want your sandwich shop to be just another fish in the sea, but you don’t want to be too gimmicky either in order to find what suits you best. The key is to focus on creating high quality and delicious food that customers will simply love to eat and want to do it over and over again.
Know your competitors
No matter what business you are in, you need to know who you are up against. Research them and find out their offerings and prices. You need to set yourself apart from the competition and you can do so by introducing specials, running discount deals and providing incentives.
Be attentive to your clientele
Once you have opened your sandwich shop, make it a priority to get feedback from your clientele and pay attention to what they are saying as this can help in improving your shop. Don’t just ask them for their opinion about the food; make sure you know what they think of the employees, atmosphere and service and then follow these suggestions as much as you can. Customers are going to appreciate when you are attentive and also follow what they have recommended. It makes them feel valued and you will be able to create a loyal fan base this way.
