One-Night-Only Eateries and Reach Out to Community Groups

One-Night-Only Eateries

Restaurateurs are getting creative with their new ventures. As a way of experimenting with new businesses despite the economic downturn, share-space-restaurants that are only open one or two nights a week are becoming the newest craze. These new restaurants are sharing the kitchens of already established restaurants during their off hours and off days.

Even Rachael Ray is getting in on the trend with her new Cafe Una Notte, which uses the kitchen of New York's Barbuto.

We have been seeing some retail stores recently buying store front space in short time segments (everything from one day to three months), but now it seems the restaurant industry is catching on to the idea.

This is a part of the greater "Carpe Diem" trend we are seeing today. People are sick of waiting for thing to turn around economically and thus are finding ingenious ways of starting their new ventures today.

This may not be something you want to try, but let it inspire you to think outside the box.


Reach Out to Community Groups

Consider inviting a book group to have their meeting at your restaurant or hosting a networking event for a community organization, like the chamber of commerce. Many organizations have monthly events for their members, so why not contact them and see if they need a location for any of their upcoming meetings or might want to have the event catered by your restaurant.

Don't be afraid to initiate contact with these groups and organizations. It's worth it to offer them a small discount on catering an event for them, or on any orders placed by members when they meet at your restaurant. You might just gain some new customers and a whole lot of positive word of mouth advertising.