How to Start a Buffet Restaurant

If you’re wondering how to start a buffet restaurant, you’re probably ready to launch your small business dream. Buffets offer a unique dining experience that attracts a wide range of customers, and can fill a niche in an area that differentiates them from other restaurants. 

But where do you start? Understanding the different types of buffet restaurants can help you decide which model fits your vision and market and ultimately how to start a buffet style restaurant.

What is a buffet restaurant? 

In a buffet business, customers serve themselves from a variety of dishes that are laid out on a central table or series of tables. Unlike traditional restaurants where meals are ordered from a menu and served by waitstaff, buffet restaurants allow patrons to choose from a wide array of options and often eat as much as they like for a fixed price. 

There are several types of buffets:

All-you-can-eat buffets

All-you-can-eat buffets offer unlimited food for a fixed price. This model attracts customers who enjoy variety and want to get the most value for their money. You’ll need to provide a wide range of dishes to keep everyone satisfied, from appetizers to desserts. The key here is to balance variety with quality, ensuring that each dish remains appealing and tasty.

Themed buffets

Themed buffets focus on specific cuisines or food types. Whether it’s Italian, Mexican, Chinese, or seafood, the theme sets the stage for the entire dining experience. Decorations and ambiance should match the theme to create an immersive environment. This type of buffet can attract customers looking for a unique dining experience and can set you apart from generic buffet offerings.

Catered buffets

Is a buffet a restaurant? Not necessarily. Catered buffets are offered at events and gatherings by catering businesses. This model allows you to provide customizable menu options tailored to the specific needs of each event. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or family reunion, you can create a menu that fits the occasion. This flexibility can make your buffet service appealing for a variety of events, providing a steady stream of business opportunities. 

Benefits of starting a buffet restaurant

Starting a buffet restaurant is a big step, and you want to make sure it's worth the effort. Here are some compelling reasons why this could be a great move for you.

High customer volume

Buffet restaurants attract large groups and families, making them a popular choice for gatherings. The appeal lies in the variety of food options available, allowing everyone to find something they enjoy. This broad appeal can lead to a steady stream of customers, especially during peak dining times like weekends and holidays. 

Faster table turnover is another advantage. Since customers serve themselves, they spend less time waiting for food to be prepared and served. This efficiency allows you to accommodate more diners in a shorter period, increasing your overall revenue. Quick turnover also means you can serve more customers without needing additional seating, maximizing the use of your space.

Reduced labor costs

Operating a buffet restaurant requires fewer wait staff compared to traditional dining establishments. Since customers serve themselves, the need for waiters to take orders and deliver food decreases. This reduction in labor can significantly lower your operational costs, allowing you to allocate resources more efficiently. 

Streamlined food preparation further reduces labor costs. In a buffet setting, food is often prepared in large batches, which can be more efficient than cooking individual meals. This method simplifies the cooking process and reduces the need for specialized kitchen staff. By focusing on bulk preparation, you can maintain a consistent quality of food while minimizing labor expenses.

Diverse menu options

Buffet restaurants offer the flexibility to cater to various tastes and preferences. You can include a wide range of dishes, from appetizers to desserts, ensuring that there is something for everyone. This variety can attract a diverse customer base, from picky eaters to adventurous foodies. 

Offering unique dishes can set your buffet apart from the competition. You have the opportunity to introduce specialty items or themed cuisine nights, keeping your menu fresh and exciting. This approach can encourage repeat visits and build a loyal customer base. 

Catering to different dietary preferences is another benefit. Buffets can easily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs by providing clearly labeled options. This inclusivity can attract health-conscious diners and those with specific dietary restrictions, broadening your customer base even further. 

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How to start a buffet restaurant in 10 steps. 

Step 1: Choose a unique buffet concept

When you’re starting a new restaurant, you want to make sure that you’ve done the necessary market research to fill a niche or offer something unique to your customers. Think about whether you want to run an all-you-can-eat buffet, a themed buffet, or lean into catering. Also, consider the following questions:

• What type of service do you want to offer?
• Who is your target audience?
• What is your unique brand?

Step 2: Create a business plan

Every business needs a business plan, and your restaurant is no different. Create a restaurant business plan that acts as a blueprint for your business. That way you can prove to potential investors that your buffet will succeed by mapping out the foundations of your operations, fleshing out the details, and summarizing your goals. Make sure to include:

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Competitive analysis
• Organization plan
• Financial projections

Step 3: Secure funding

The hardest part of getting any new business off the ground is finding the funding for it. You’ll need to acquire the capital needed to cover the steep costs of opening a restaurant—and keep the business afloat until it turns a profit. Approach financial resources with a well-researched budget that includes the cost of licenses, equipment, building repairs, employee wages, and more, and you’re more likely to be approved. Determine the best funding option for your business:

• Business loans (term loans, SBA loans, equipment financing, short-term loans, or a line of credit)
• Grant funding through a non-profit or local government
• Partner with a private investor for a share of profits
• Crowdfunding through GoFundMe or Kickstarter

Step 4: Obtain licensing and permits

Aside from standard business licenses and permits, you’ll need other licenses to start a buffet, from a liquor license to food handler’s permits, and more. Researching FDA regulations in your state will allow you to apply early to avoid long wait times. Some required licenses include:

• Business License - varies by state
• Employee Identification Number - to officially hire employees and set up your payroll
• Foodservice License - you'll first have to pass a food safety inspection
• Liquor License - alcohol boosts sales!
• Certificate of Occupancy - states a legal use and/or type of permitted occupancy of a building

Step 5: Find a prime location

When it comes to buffet restaurants, location can make or break your business. Think about leasing vs. buying a physical space, which can immediately affect costs and profits. Every restaurant owner should consider the following when choosing a location:

• Visibility and accessibility - plenty of vehicle and foot traffic, and parking availability
• Demographics - attract your target market
• Labor costs - varies depending on location (e.g. high cost of living means higher wages)
• Local competition - try to avoid an over-saturated area

Step 6: Design your space

Alongside the paperwork, you can get fun with your buffet design! Ensure your draft includes a layout for both front-of-house and back-of-house, and hire a professional if you need to. Keep these factors in mind when designing:

• Seating capacity
• Ambiance, decor, and dining furniture that aligns with your concept
• Cleanability - best to avoid carpeting!
• Accessibility - especially crucial for buffet tables where customers need easy access!
• Dry and cold storage options
• Functional food prep and cooking space

Step 7: Find suppliers

Buffets need to be fully stocked and outfitted before the first meal service. This means your kitchen will require proper equipment like ovens, refrigerators, fryers, commercial dishwashers, and beyond—all of which can be pricey. 

Some spaces may come already equipped, but you may need to buy or lease pieces. Next, your dining area will need furniture: tables, chairs, barstools, etc., as well as cutlery, glassware, plates, linens… you get the picture. 

On top of that, restaurant owners should strike up a relationship with a reputable food supplier to ensure guests don’t go hungry. The last thing you want is to run out of food because of an unreliable supplier.

Step 8: Build a menu

Your buffet’s  unique concept, target audience, and location should shape the menu. Consider it an opportunity to flex creativity, skill, and flavor—just make sure your food offerings stick to your budget and boost your profit margins. Easy, right? 

Creating an effective, appealing, and cost-efficient menu is a tricky balance. With buffets, you also want to ensure your servings are easy to make in bulk and keep well in the buffet setting. Enlisting the help of your team of chefs will fine-tune this process, taking some stress off your plate. 

Consider these factors when developing your menu:

• Cost of goods and food sold
• Profit margins
• Sales forecasting
• Inventory

Step 9: Hire skilled employees

As a restaurant owner, you’re the leader of your team. This means it’s up to you to properly vet every role from bartenders and servers to dishwashers and sous chefs. Investing in qualified, trained people will help reduce turnover and boost morale. 

As the minimum wage increases, so does the cost of labor. If you keep on top of common mistakes that drive up labor costs like poor scheduling, time theft, and unnecessary overtime, your profit margins won’t suffer as much. Tips to reduce labor costs:

• Hire a quality team
• Use a time clock app
• Automate admin and HR tasks
• Cross-train employees

Step 10: Develop a marketing plan

Now that you’ve brought your buffet restaurant vision to life, it’s time to spread the word. Create a website and social media channels, pulling details about your brand, vision, and positioning from your business plan. And always make sure you’re speaking directly to your target audience. 

Here are some strategy ideas to take your marketing plan to the next level:

• Content marketing (videos, blogs, reels, newsletters, etc.)
• Email marketing (newsletter and or promotional campaign directed to targeted database)
• Boosted social posts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Review sites (Google, Yelp, OpenTable, FourSquare)
• Food delivery/order apps (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, etc.)
• Collaborations (food festivals, pop-ups, special events, etc.)

Boost your buffet with Homebase. 

Now that you know how to start a buffet business, you’re ready to take the next step and turn your business idea from dream to reality.  Homebase exists to help make the life of every small business owner easier. 

Our all-in-one app is designed for small hourly teams just like the one you’ll hire to support your buffet restaurant. With it, you can handle everything from scheduling to time clocks to payroll, and HR and compliance support to help with navigating insurance, licenses, and other important administrative tasks. That way, you can focus your time on offering your buffet to happy customers and leave the details to us. 

Ready to turn your buffet restaurant dream into reality? At Homebase, we simplify employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll management, so you can focus on what you do best. Let's make work easier. Get started today. Sign up with Homebase.