Own a Pub?

[zenwhipper]

Any of yuse own a pub, tavern or restaraunt? I'm just tired of the typical corporate BS type of jobs. I'd like to launch out on my own - thinking about a pub. Now I know small businesses can be a tough row to hoe. And restaraunts fail all the time, profit margins are thin and it can be 24/7 work to keep your baby in top shape. But- still its got to be better than the corp world. And in the end, if you make it work and have built a business with equity - you have something to show for it and if you so choose - cash out and ride into the sunset. :bike:

Whatta yah think?

(Seriously... any pub owners out there who care to share on the lifestyle?)

Scott

 

[happyPuppy]

I have not done a Pub , but I have done 4 startups. The best way to do it IMO, is get a job at a Pub that is doing well. Learn how they are doing it as well as suppliers, what works and what does not. I have done it almost every time and it works very well to hedge your bet. Ask customers why they come to that special Pub. It helps to let the market tell you what they want. We have an italian Restaurant that is decorated in an Italian racing theme. They do a great business, with car clubs to bikes as well as drop in and regular dinners. Is the food the best? I honestly do not know, it is good and a fun place to go to have lunch. What they are special for is the theme. The same is true with Pubs that I drop by.

 

[GalaxyBlue]

I have thought about this as well... My only hold up is the Capital for the initial start up.

 

[BwanaDik]

I have thought about this as well... My only hold up is the Capital for the initial start up.

+1 Getting thru the initial phases is the hardest. Maybe some backers/investors so you're not using up all of your own money?

We considered buying/building a gas station/diner in someplace like Alamosa CO but stalled out when a good buddy of mine pointed out "You'll be dealing with the General Public". Be sure to factor that into the equation about getting away from the corporate grind.

 

[fjrchooser]

Saw something on TiltedKilt franchises the other day, laid out their requirments pretty good on one page. Kinda in there with the theme type pub/restaraunts biz.

If one of these was nearby I'd be sure stop in at least once if only for the scenery.

 

[Fred W]

We considered buying/building a gas station/diner in someplace like Alamosa CO but stalled out when a good buddy of mine pointed out "You'll be dealing with the General Public". Be sure to factor that into the equation about getting away from the corporate grind.

+1 - The general public is made up of the same ******** that are difficult to deal with in the corporate world, plus a whole bunch of other ********.

The only way I would start up an enterprise that dealt with the general unwashed public was if it would enable me to work in a particular area that I found especially interesting, like the sport-touring motorcycle community perhaps?

It certainly wouldn't be the pub-going community. Common drunks are not all that special, IMO...

 

[juniorfjr]

I grew up in my parent's family restaurant and you are right, it's 24/7. You are the only one that will care enough to give 150%. You will work when it's closed to clean up and get ready to go again, an ongoing cycle.

The biggest problem I saw was labor. 30% of your work force will be fluid, constantly revolving and generally not reliable. If not constantly supervised, they will give your profits away, throw them away or steal them. Most restaurants that fail are from poor supervision, or absentee owners.

We served beer and wine, and not much of it. But enough to know dealing with drunks can ruin all the fun.

With all of that, if I was younger, I'd give it a go. After all, in this country, they don't shoot you for failing. All you got to lose is your money. B)

 

[johnny80s]

I have thought about this as well... My only hold up is the Capital for the initial start up.

I would love to do this too. I always wanted to have a Italian restaurant but figured I would eat all the profits.

 

[beemerdons]

I have thought about this as well... My only hold up is the Capital for the initial start up.

I would love to do this too. I always wanted to have a Italian restaurant but figured I would eat all the profits.

Hire two young and pretty Irish waitresses, johnny80s; and then I would go in halves with you, in this bar venture. Then we both could eat all the profits!

 

[FJRGuy]

Have a good friend in the business. It certainly has it's rewards but it is hard on a marriage cause of the hours andyou pretty much have to live and breath your business.

For me, something in the Sport Touring area (as Fred noted) would be a better fit.

 

[1FJR]

As some one from the law enforcement side that deals with the results of too much consumption of alcohol, I would also suggest that you talk to your local law enforcement about what they see as problems in your area with bars and resturants. I have worked with trying to educate owners over the years. Some see it as big brother and they usually end up loosing their license due to over service, serving under age, serving after hours. Others have listend to what we have suggested and they are still going strong.

This area of alcohol can cause you more head aches than you may wish to deal with. But if you have a plan on how to deal with the problem areas ahead of time, you will be better prepared.

Feel free to PM.

Neal

 

[SacramentoMike]

Watch a couple episodes of "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares." In fact, watch it a lot. Great show, with a lot of wisdom for restaurant owners to think about. So many of them seem to want to be kind of celebrities and enjoy the glamor side of the business, instead of the hard-headed business owners they need to be. Not that it's not doable, but give it a lot of thought.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I've had the dream of retiring and opening a pub and deli combo in Ireland since visiting the place in 1987. Probably never happen now that I know how much work is involved. But I think about it often.

 

[Khunajawdge]

Turkey Nuts! Ya gotta serve Turkey Nuts as an appetizer! No one can resist drinking beer after ingesting Turkey Nuts!

 

[madmike2]

I've had the dream of retiring and opening a pub and deli combo in Ireland since visiting the place in 1987. Probably never happen now that I know how much work is involved. But I think about it often.

Aye...that's the rub: romantic view vs. reality.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I have thought of a Brew Pub many years ago before they came in vogue. I have done some research, the capital was the biggie for me.

A friend tried a pub that was a restaurant for the family plus had a sports bar type area, pool tables etc. He went with all new stuff, big $$. Within a year he lost it. I think he was in bad shape before he even opened the doors, but he sank so much into it, he wanted to keep going. He lost everything, his savings, families savings, his home and a relatives home. I don't think he did his homework that well. And all brand new equipment was not a good thing.

Do your research on this. Is there a market for it? Location? Pricing? What do you need to break even, and what do you need to make some $$? Capital, rent, lease, what are the options? The economy? Then there's the laws, the help, the lawyers, etc.

It could be a great business, or drain you. If you do your homework, it should let you know if it's safe to proceed etc.

Good luck.

 

[Aasland]

I have thought of a Brew Pub

Be too - until I did the research and realized how much capital I needed, that I was in the wrong geographic location, and if everything went well I would be working at least six days a week for a third of my corporate salary. Plus my hobby would become a job ... I can handle brewing a couple times a month .. but daily?

 

[Fred W]

Yep. That is the double edged sword of turning a hobby into your job. Yeah you then get to do it all the time, but it ceases to be so much fun.

I'm a home brewer too, and went through some thoughts about opening up a microbrewery. I'd prefer that over a brewpub as you get to avoid the food part, all of the service part, and insulate yourself from your consumers, which is a pretty good idea in the alcohol production industry.

But the odds of success are just too slim, even if you have a great product and solid business plan, without the capital to be able to post losses for several years. And brewing 10-12 hours a day 6-7 days a week for minimum wages (if that) wouldn't be all that much fun.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

"Aye...there's the rub" (Willy the Shake): romantic view vs. reality.

If you do your homework, it should let you know if it's safe to proceed etc.

Yep, it's called a Business Plan -- if a bank will lend you money on the strength of your business plan, the likelyhood of success is high.

There's much to know to be successful (Business School) -- or, you can just begin (10% inspiriation & 90% perspiration).

The U.S. tax laws favor small business and, when the economy is poor, timing to get into business is good (costs can be less).

It's called being an entrepreneur and many have done it with varying degrees of success -- it can be an exciting ride.

Good luck -- you may already possess many of the important necessary qualities (don't discount the power of a magnetic personality).