Ok group

I am tired of working for somebody else that I have decided to go all the way on my own. I hate the idea of somebody controlling my career, hate having to kiss assess, hate the feeling of insecurity, and most of all hate the feeling of putting my life in somebody else's hand. So I am planing to move to Toronto and start a pizza joint. At present I am a IT project manager with a BIG ZERO for experience in restaurant business. but I have a very strong feeling that a pizza joint, if run intelligently, would be a good business to go into. Initially I thought of a ethinic based restaurant, but that would only serve a minority. Then I read the story of the 2 lawyers who started the california pizza kitchen and got the inspiration to start a pizza joint. Come to think of it, who does not eat pizza. Every ethinic group eat pizza. Pizza is somet5hing everyone likes irrespective of nationality, religion, food habits etc. So what do you guys think. There are probably lotsa pizza joints in Toronto but I guess there is room for one more high quality & resonably priced pizza joint. So what do you guys think. I ma all fired up abt this. My wife is also encouraging me but something is holding me back. Not sure what it is. may be fear. I will have to get over it. In the mean time if you guys know any website where I can find info on starting a pizza joint , pls lemme know.

thanks for all the help

cheers..rsk

And if I become successful in my Pizza business You all in this board get 15% VIP discount. how abt that.

cheers...rsk

If I were you, I would consider buying a franchise such as:

http://www.pizzapizza.com/index2.htm

Damn, just looking at the picture of that pizza makes me hungry.

The restaurant business is so competitive that I think it would be a tough area to go into. Going with a franchise would lower the risk since there is a track record of success.

In no way do I endorse "pizzapizza". Perhaps they have a lot of unhappy franchisees - I have no idea, but it is extremely important that you check that out.

Here's one bad report (from years ago):

http://www.ontla.on.ca/hansard/37_pa...tm#P566_221675

In Ontario:
http://www.markuscohenlaw.com/ontario.asp

To me, it is a problem that you have no experience in the "eatery" business. You definately could be getting yourself into problems that you know nothing about.

What I would do - after lots of research - is get a job as manager of a franchise that I would one day want to own. That way, I would get to learn about all the problems and issues associated with that business and get paid at the same time. That way, I wouldn't have to learn the hard way; that is when I'm the one who has to pay the bills. Then if you decide that you would want to own your own store, you could set one up elsewhere.

There is a learning curve that you must go up, and that costs a lot of money. It's better to let someone else pay to educate you until you thoroughly understand the business. That way, your eyes will be open before you commit any money. Understand in franchising, that it is difficult to make any money with only one store. You probably would have to own 5 or more stores to make a good income.

Make sure - on your own - that the franchisor has mainly happy franchisees - don't assume that they do.

RSK,

My wife and I have the same views re running our own business - eventually.

We have seen pizza businesses out in the boonies for sale at around the $30-50k mark (business only, not premises).

Although this might sound like a lot of money (to risk), if you got a look at the books/business history and were confident of the profitability of the business, it would be a good way to start if the vendors were prepared to train as part of the sale - I'm sure most would offer this anyway as part of the deal. Just need to do good research (common sense approach really) on the local demographic, population trends +/-, future plans in locality etc.

So, in my view, the cost would be minimal as a way of buying a business at lower risk and a way to learn before moving upscale, or buying another business which perhaps comes with premises included.

I would say that anyone who's prepared to work hard, look and learn, and has an eye for business opportunities can make it, even without the previous experience.

I guess it's the attitude of rather making $40k a year off my own back and efforts as opposed to making $80k working like a dog for some ungrateful lump of a boss who doesn't appreciate effort and gets all the credit for results.

Best of luck !

Ocean

When I started thinking abt food business the idea of buying a franchise did occur to me. Like you said the risk involved in running a franchise is very low compared to starting your own. But a franchise poses a lotta limitation on how one would run a business. There is very less room for innovation. Let alone the price you pay for the brand name. I was talking to a guy whos i in the food business abt starting a subway franchise and he was telling me that I can have a sandwich joint of my own for 1/4 of the cost that I would pay to buy the franchise. Ofcourse with a franchise you are gauranteed of customers. In your own you need to build a customer base. Its one big challenge but I think thats what makes it interesting. Also I dont think I can manage the finances to buy a franchise at this time. But the idea of working in a pizza joint for sometime to learn the trade is good. I have to stop being a project manager and become a pizza manager :-).


Rich

Yeah buying a business(not a franchise) is a good idea. In my mind I am thinking $40k as my investment. Thas all the money I can spare. I believe that if I find a good chef, good location and provide good service and with bit of common sense and luck one can succed in this business. But I need to learn the fundamentals. I ma looking for a book on this to start with. Pls lemme know if you have any suggestions.

cheers...rsk

Hi

can you guys pls suggest some good names for a small pizza restaurant.

thanks for all the help

cheers...rsk

Boy, that didn't take long. Trained and ready to go, eh?

What about these:

1) AAA Pizza - I like this name because under "pizza" in the yellowpages, it will be at the head of the list. This name might already be used.

2) Pizza Pleasure - similar name to "Pizza Delight", but that name is already used.

3) Pizza Please

For all I know, all these names may already be in use. You could also choose a name, then place "AAA" before that name, to be first on the list. I'm assuming that you'll do takeout, with a lot of business coming from the yellowpages. If so, when you open the business (if new) consider how many months will pass by before you can even get listed in the yellowpages.

What about an easy-to-remember numbers in the name that is also the phone number. There's one here called Pizza 73. And the phone number is 273 73 73. I never forget it.

Also add good chicken wings to your menu. I always order hot wings.

That's a very good idea. I should have thought of that.

RSK,

what makes you think of pizza in particular ??

I don't know about Canada but here in the UK it's hard work, long hours and very very little profit (no matter what anyone tells you) . The marketing you have to do is expensive also (all those little flyers in the local papers add up).

Maybe have a look around for other ideas before you make your mind up. I would highly suggest living in an area for a while and see if there is a market for another Pizza place or parhaps you might find a better idea. Something that Canada is missing which you can Import from the UK.

Perhaps try to find an IT job to tide you over while you are looking.

I'm not being critical, just want to play devils advocate.

as for names, how about Pizza perfection

Martin

Guys

Thanks for all the responses.

Martin

The reason I chose pizza restautant is that I ma interested in food business. I ma a good cook myself(so they say) . First I thought of starting a ethinic food restaurant but then in that case I will have to depend on the ethinic minority for customers. But Pizza is not like that . Everyone (almost) likes pizza. If I can make good pizzas then I think I can make a decent living outta it. I know it is hard work. I actually thougyt of starting a software developenemt company. But then that is also hardwork and there are more software companies than pizza restaurants :-). the only thing that is stopping me is the experience. But what the hell I got nothing to losae but the investment amount and probably 1 year if time if I fail. But I have this stupid confidence that I will not fail. you may ask y, I dont know . I just wanna experiement it .

what do u guys think of the name "Avenue de Pizzeria" or "Ville de Pizzeria"

thanks for all the encouragement & help

cheers...rsk