5 Essential Things to Look for in a Potential Restaurant Space

To ensure the longevity of your establishment, you want to set yourself up for success from the start. This includes considering a variety of factors when assessing restaurants and, ultimately, choosing the perfect space that aligns with your needs and specifications.

With that in mind, the team at E.V. Bishoff Company has compiled some of the crucial components to consider when looking for a potential restaurant space, so read on give yourself a checklist!

1. The Right Space and Layout

You’ll want to find a space that adheres to your company goals and aesthetics. That’s because your business’s success can often be tied to aspects like seat capacity, operational efficiency, customer comfort, and more.

Once you decide on the size of your restaurant, you’ll need to plan a layout. Here are some tips to get you started:

• The kitchen and service flow should occupy approximately 40% of your space
  

• For comfort and safety, there should be around 36 inches between tables
  

• No matter the format of your restaurant, the entryway should clearly establish your company’s brand

2. A Good Location

Your restaurant’s location is essential when it comes to attracting a steady flow of business to your establishment. You’ll want to focus on areas that have:

• High foot traffic – Places such as shopping districts and business hubs can create high visibility and act as free advertising for both new and existing customers.
  

• Accessibility and convenience – Restaurants that are easy to find and access, or are near other establishments, can help attract repeat business.
  

• A potential for profitability – Make sure that the revenue you’ll be generating from the business can exceed your payment projections in the long run.

Other key considerations to keep in mind for your restaurant space include that you will need easy access for both deliveries and staff, as well as a location that is safe and secure.

3. Ample Parking

Acting as the first touch point between customers and the dining experience, parking is crucial. This is because including parking at your restaurant can further improve accessibility standards and even increase traffic and sales to your business.

So, when searching for the right restaurant space for you, make sure that there is plenty of parking at or near the establishment, and that these spots are well-maintained, well-lit, and ADA-compliant.

4. Rent Without Hidden Costs

Before signing a lease, reviewing each factor that contributes to your rent payments is incredibly important. Common hidden costs for commercial spaces can include Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees, unexpected property tax increases, and surprise repair costs, which, if left unknown to the lessee, can significantly raise the price of your space.

Some of the questions that our team recommends asking before signing your restaurant lease include:

• What are the CAM charges, and how are these numbers calculated?

• What are the yearly caps on CAM increases?

• Are there any management fees added on top of operating expenses?

• What structural repairs am I responsible for?

• Is the building’s plumbing, electrical system, and grease trap up to code for a restaurant?

• Do I pay for water and sewer, and is this based on usage or a flat rate?

5. A Strong Landlord Relationship

A strong, transparent, and communicative relationship with your landlord can help contribute to the growth and longevity of your restaurant. We believe that the best relationships can be derived from looking at your landlord as your long-term partner, as opposed to just the property owner.

Benefits of establishing a strong working relationship with your landlord include:

• Faster issue resolution – Whether you’re dealing with HVAC or plumbing issues that could slow down restaurant operations, having a good rapport with your landlord can ensure faster response times and improve daily operations.
  

• Negotiation power – After establishing a positive, continuous relationship with your landlord, you can benefit from perks like easier lease renewals, better terms, or even assistance with Tenant Improvement (TI) funds.

If you’re wondering about some of the best practices to strengthen your bond with your landlord, know that our team recommends communicating proactively with the individual, gaining a basic understanding of your lease, and treating the property with care throughout your stay.

Why E.V. Bishoff Is Your Destination When Looking for Restaurant Spaces for Lease

For over 60 years, E.V. Bishoff Company has been dedicated to providing individuals and businesses with a streamlined process for finding commercial and residential spaces for rent. This includes a knowledgeable and experienced staff that is here to answer any questions about the leasing process, as well as field inquiries regarding maintenance requests, amenities, and more.

With responsiveness at the forefront of our company philosophy, our main priority is focused on building long-term relationships with our clientele. Advantages of working with us include the fact that we:

• Provide a detailed understanding of your expenses, eliminating any financial surprises
  

• Offer first opportunities to current tenants on any open spaces for expansion, which are priced at the same rate as your current location 
  

• Emphasize that we do not use third-party leasing agents, management, or technicians, so you’ll be able to familiarize yourself with our attentive staff 
  

• Give our customers peace of mind since we have no intention of selling our buildings, allowing you to enjoy your space without worrying about changing landlords
  

• Fulfill normal maintenance requests within one hour

Contact Our Team Today

If you’ve been searching for a high-quality restaurant space for rent in the Cleveland, Columbus, or Pittsburgh area, know that the team at E.V. Bishoff is here to supply you with exactly what you’re looking for. Reach out to us to learn more about our offerings, as we look forward to assisting you.