Restaurants
We all like to go eat in a restaurant, like to eat well but also in a pleasant and funny place. Food isn't the only thing that matters, the decor will help attract customers.
Practical advice before opening a restaurant
Visit other restaurants. Sit back and eat while observing the behavior of customers and staff. Take note of the decorations, the colors, the dining room and kitchen furnishings, if possible, and the entire restaurant design.
Look for a style for your restaurant and think about how many times you want to change it according to the seasons or events. Investigate momentary trends, which restaurants receive the most attention, analyze the name to distinguish yourself from competitors and also pay attention to your demographic goal. A minimalist environment would be good for a high-level social area but not if you are aiming for a family atmosphere. Create an environment that allows waiters to move easily between the dining area and the kitchen. This will avoid accidents and allow staff to satisfy customers faster.
How to use Feng Shui in your restaurant?
Do you know the criteria for success? The right time, the right place and the right people are the three essential components for success in any human activity. This also applies to a successful restaurant! Most people will agree that a good restaurant requires: good food, good service, reasonable prices, pleasant atmosphere, a good location and the possibility of parking. These are the visible factors. But these are not enough to be successful. From a Feng Shui point of view, the most important factors are the least visible: the subtle energy of Chi. A successful restaurant will always be provided with an abundant “Chi” that flows smoothly. Feng Shui emphasizes harmony and balance between people, between the elements of a landscape or between humans and their environment. The indicator of this harmony is the “Chi” and its quantity and its way of flowing smoothly. If a place (whether home, office or restaurant) has a good Feng Shui with abundant Chi that moves smoothly, all the other criteria for a successful restaurant (good food, good service etc.) will manifest.
The list of important points for a successful restaurant
The place. What is the right position? Location is the first thing to choose. A favorable position is the part of the four major characteristics of Feng Shui: a pleasant place, a support behind the building (avoid a steep slope), a balance between the two buildings on both sides and an open space in front. Of these four factors, the open space in front is the most essential. A car parking , a garden or a fountain in front of the restaurant could be considered satisfying as a feature of the water.
A pleasant form. The shape of the restaurant and its decor should be pleasant. Rectangular shapes of moderate length, square shapes and circles are considered pleasant shapes. Avoid sharp and triangular shapes and too many spaces. Remember, pleasant shapes produce pleasant energy.
The positive energy flow. A good restaurant should have a flow of Chi energy that runs smoothly. Outside it manifests itself with a good flow of traffic; the restaurant must be easily accessible. Inside there should be a clear and clean connection between the space and the rooms. When the restaurant space is too closed with too many partitions that break the space, the flow of energy will be stagnant. If the restaurant space is too open, especially directly in front of the entrance or if there are windows on the back with an expansive view, it does not retain energy and therefore does not retain business.
The pleasant feeling. A positive atmosphere is guaranteed by a beautiful interior design, a nice coordination of colors, the decoration, the furniture and the pleasant use of the space. If these four criteria are fulfilled, a good Chi and a good flow of Chi is guaranteed, the basis for a successful restaurant.
The sight. Make sure what is located directly in front of the entrance door, especially not the back door or a wall with large windows (even if they offer a nice view). In this case the energy enters and exits directly. It is a myth that says that sight is important; once seated at the table the client will be focused on conversation and food and not by sight.
Colors. Four basic colors are associated with the restaurant's food and decor: white, yellow, green and red. White is the most balanced color and represents balanced emotions and is associated with purity. The basic color of a restaurant should be white, ecru or cream.
The five elements. Yellow is associated with appetite. In the five-element theory, yellow belongs to the earth element that is associated with the stomach. The red color brings enthusiasm, is associated with the fire element, the heart and is linked to desire. It is the reason why they like red food (meat, tomatoes, red sweets, etc.). For this reason Mc Donald and other fastfood chains use a red and yellow logo and we know their success. Today people are becoming more aware of healthy food, therefore the color green will become more important. Avoid using it too much, because wood exhausts the earth, that is, the appetite that is associated with the earth element. Light represents fire, therefore using it correctly will increase the desire for food.
Cleaning. Thorough cleaning is essential, the customer directly associates the impression of quality and freshness of the food. The cleanest place must be the bathroom. It is the best investment you can make to impress the customer who associates it directly with the quality of the food served.
Service. The service represents the energetic connection with the customer. Sometimes a restaurant is very busy and the service seems to be slow. Make customers feel they have your attention. People don't mind slow service but it disturbs feeling ignored. In Asia, for example, some snacks are brought in restaurants before ordering food, indicating customer attention when the restaurant is busy or the service is slower than usual.
Space. Many restaurant owners fear they don't have enough space. But it is better to be too small than too big. It is a matter of energy. If a restaurant is too large or too empty, people do not feel motivated to enter because it is too Yin. They are unconsciously attracted to energy, the more people there are, the more energy there is.
Mirrors Can be used as a Feng Shui strategy. Hanging a mirror on the wall above the cash desk or the safe will increase wealth and prosperity. Rectangular columns in the hall covered with mirrors will deflect the negative energy and avoid hanging it in front of the entrance because it will deflect the positive energy that is entering.
Energy connection Put two real plants at the entrance to create an energy connection, which attracts energy. Chinese restaurants have an aquarium at the entrance. It will work as long as the fishes and plantss are in a healthy and good state.
The case position. Ideally the case should be located on the right side (side of the white tiger) of the restaurant looking from the inside out. It is very important that the cashier has the support of a solid wall behind him.
Passion Passion is a vital element in all human activities, a requirement that will lead to success. Passion is considered as the most important factor for success. If restaurant owners manage to show passion to their staff as well as to customers, the restaurant will be more successful. People who work in a restaurant must enjoy the work they do and be proud of what they are doing. It will be visible in the joyful energy that is perceived and above all in the harmony between colleagues. It will be a nice team that will transmit energy to customers who will feel comfortable, enjoy good food and have a good memory that will make them come back soon with friends. What better pubblicity for a restaurant can there be?
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