The more strategically you plan your store’s brick-and-mortar location, the better your chances are for organic customers and great profits. If you’re opening a sandwich shop like Jon Smith Subs, location really is everything!
So where should you begin when it comes to finding the right place for your new business?
First, check out the company’s website to make sure there are no other existing locations in your area.
Next, follow these four tips for helping you determine the perfect place for your sandwich shop.
Consider your customer
You might not find a sub shop and a high-end women’s jewelry store on the same block. That’s because each store has a very different customer base. When considering locations before opening a sandwich shop, make sure to take into account the type of person that will frequent your business. Where would they normally go? How important is parking? Do the other stores in the area cater to the same (or a similar) demographic? You don’t want your customers to have to go out of their way to enjoy your delicious sandwiches.
Find a Spot That Has Great Visibility
You will definitely want to capitalize on folks just passing by – especially if you’re opening a sandwich shop. Hunger could strike at any time, after all, and hopefully people are walking or driving past your store when it does! Ideally, a location that allows for both foot and driving traffic is best. Be sure you take some time to scope out the scene before signing any final leasing paperwork. Visit the location during the hours that your business will be open, especially busy times like lunch and dinner. Peek in neighboring businesses to see what kind of foot traffic they are getting.
Determine the Location’s Costs
Cost is an important factor when opening any kind of business. Put frankly, you will need to find a location that fits in your overall budget. You might be looking at an area with considerable tourist traffic but if you know the rent is too high, it’s best to keep on searching. A good sign that the rent or leasing cost might be too high in an area is if you are noticing a lot of empty retail spaces and business turnover. When it comes to opening a sandwich shop, it will be worth your while to wait until you find a location that meets as many of your criteria as possible while fitting safely within your operating costs.
Investigate Zoning and City Policies
Entrepreneur defines zoning as “The division of a city or county by legislative regulations into areas (zones), specifying the uses allowable for the property in these areas.” If the zone you are considering for your sandwich shop is not classified as commercial, then you could not open your business in that particular location.
Additional permits are often necessary in the food business, specifically. Per Entrepreneur, “If you plan to sell food, either directly to customers as in a restaurant or as a wholesaler to other retailers, you’ll need a county health department permit,” which requires the health department to tour your facilities before opening to the public.
The point here is: Make sure you do your homework. And remember, this is one of the great advantages to opening a franchise as opposed to starting a new business from scratch. Jon Smith Subs has years of experience opening new franchises, and can help you navigate the zoning laws and provide valuable information about the best location for your product or service.
Thinking of opening a sandwich shop? Click here to learn more about why Jon Smith Subs is a great choice for your next venture.
