What do you have to do or have to run a successful bar/restaurant in virginia?

[stein74]

Hi, Im about to start collage next month to be a labor and delivery nurse, But i recently found out i was pregnant. and don't really want to spend a long time in collage. I was thinking about Opening my own bar/restaurant and i want to know what do you have to do/have in order for your place to be successful. any degrees ? business, restaurant management ? anything like that.. ive worked as a hostess for some time at one and im about to be moved up to a waitress (turning 18) and so i know what im getting myself into. and i know its a big difference between that and a nurse. Please no one look down on me or preach to me, im well aware of what im doing.. thank you. (:

btw.. i live in virginia (idk if the laws are different here or if you have to have different things in order to own/manage a bar.)

[oakley]

First, congrats on the baby! I hope it's stress-free time for you! For bars and restaurants, the decision is a large one. How much money do you have to start up the business? Could you afford a loan if you needed to get one? If you lack the capital, then my best suggestion would be to look at opening up a different business.

If you still want to push forward, now would be the time to get the best education that you can. You should be able to do basic accounting (even if you outsource it), be able to manage employees, and be business savvy in general. You don't necessarily need a degree to open a bar or restaurant, but classes can help if you lack education or the basics in a certain field.

As alcohol is a heavily regulated industry, you will have an easier time getting an alcohol license if your criminal record is clean, all states want to make sure you will not be a trouble for them. Contact your licensing authority to check on the requirements in your state.

In addition to an alcohol license, you'll also need a basic business license for your city/town, an EIN (Employer identification number- supplied by the IRS), food permit (typically supplied by the city or county), insurance for your business, workman's compensation (if you're hiring employees), fictitious name filing (get this only if you want to have a name for your bar other than your name), and for a business type, I prefer LLCs because of the flexibility and the limited liability involved (best if you have a home, if your business goes under, then only what you invested can be sought after).

For your bar and restaurant, you'll have to decide what you want to serve, where your location is going to be (have several candidate sites), who your target customers are, and how you plan to market to your customers. Then you'll have to find a beer and food supplier, check your local directories for wholesalers; plus you'll need to decide on decoration, kitchen and beer equipment, and office supplies. It is quite a bit of stuff to get done, but it is manageable if taken step by step. Good luck!