1. Find a location and do a feasibility study
Once you have found an area where you want to set up a chip shop, you need to start by doing a short feasibility study:
Research the area: how many chip shops are there nearby?
Are they doing well? Try to find out why or why not.
Look into the number of residents of that area as compared to the number of existing chip shops.
Make sure you do not go below the average number. This is currently 1 chip shop for 2500 residents.
2. Look for the ideal premises
Particularly if you want to start a new chip shop from scratch, it is key to choose the right location. You do not just want to attract nearby residents, but casual passers-by as well. The ideal property:
Is in a highly visible location.
Has a parking space nearby
Has seats as well
3. Legal requirements
To start a chip shop or snack bar, you must comply with some legal obligations:
Apply for a food permit
Make sure you comply with the minimum hygiene measures for frying and snack bars
Contact the city or town hall to also be up to date with local permits, taxes and regulations
Think of Sabam and the fair compensation when you play music in your business
4. Spend your start-up capital wisely
Once you have found the ideal surroundings and location and you want to set up your own business, be sure to consider your financial circumstances. Make sure you do not put all your money into any conversion or improvement work that might be needed: keep enough in reserve to purchase your first merchandise and marketing tools, and your first products such as potatoes, snacks, cooking oil or fat.
Don’t make agreements with suppliers to rent equipment. This will give you the luxury of complete freedom and independence without the obligation to take on a specific supplier for a long period of time because you are already in debt with them.
5. Furnishing the chip shop and installing the fryers
You have plenty of options to furnish your business. Choose an attractive house style that looks well cared for and try to use robust materials that will stand the test of time. Be assisted by specialized firms that organize your business from start to finish. Those companies:
Design your chip shop or snack bar
Carry out and coordinate all of the work
Offer both standard as tailor-made refrigerated counters with a guarantee and 24/7 service.
Installing the fryer
Call on an established specialist with good customer service who is easily accessible. Save their contact details immediately so that you can take action quickly in case of any (start up) problems.
Corporate identity and advertising
Make sure the chip shop attracts attention (color, signs, name, logo). Choose something recognizable with a fresh, clean appearance that is easy to remember.
6. Choose suppliers
Choose suppliers with a stable balance between price and quality.
Catering supplier
Look for catering suppliers and compare the different specialties and qualities.
A general catering supplier (snack supplier, wholesaler) can provide all the products you need for your chip shop. Find someone local who can supply at fixed intervals for a good price.
Try to make your decision in good faith and do not be misled by any free gifts you might be offered.
Potato supplier
Ask friends who run a chip shop or catering business where they buy their fresh potatoes or ready-cut fries. Use fresh fries, whether or not they are ready-cut. Don’t be misled by better prices here, because the quality of your fries is the most important thing. Try to build up a good relationship of trust right from the start. Ultimately, your potato supplier is the supplier you will see most often.
Try to make your decision in good faith and do not be misled by any free gifts you might be offered.
Fat supplier
If you have space on your premises to store frying fat or frying oil for a longer period (f.e. 2 to 4 weeks), it is worth considering a fat supplier. A fat supplier can always give you a better price because they can deliver a large quantity in one stop and they usually produce or pack the frying fat themselves. This way you can get the best price for excellent quality.
You can call on Quatra for this. We deliver frying oil and fat directly to your chip shop or snack bar and collect your used oil and fats in the same time.
Waste collector
Sign a contract with a waste collector for your non-recyclable waste, kitchen scraps, paper, plastics and metals to ensure stable refuse collection. Try to separate as much of your waste as possible for collection, as this will result in a lower cost price.
Fat collector
99% of all restaurants and chips shops use a specialized collector for used cooking oil. It is best to keep used cooking oil and fat separated from other waste because fat collectors will be able to pay you an attractive price for it.
Quatra can offer you the perfect solution for the collection of used cooking oil and the delivery of fresh cooking oil.
Use Google to search for: “used cooking oil collectors”. If you want to get the best deal for your fat collection, try to get a good verbal or written contract with a fat supplier, who will combine the collection of used fat with the delivery of fresh fat. For you this means one middleman instead of two, and a better price due to a larger volume, less transport, and a direct contract.
Would you like to work with Quatra or do you have any questions about collecting used cooking oils? Call us on +44 3330 160 160.
7. You are ready to start: keep your business on the right track!
You have found your location, chosen and furnished your premises and now it is the people in your business who will make or break it. These tips are worth their weight in gold.
Make sure you have fixed opening times and stick to them, because your customers need to be able to depend on you. Try to make sure the shop smells fresh and has been properly cleaned every day.
Make sure you have fresh products with high quality.
Try to set yourself apart from the rest, perhaps by offering dishes you have created yourself, or try to create added value by making your own sauces or selling homemade saté sticks.
Make presentation and customer service your priorities and many people will help you to make your business a success.
Do you have any questions about starting a chip shop or snack bar? Can you use any help?
Call us on +44 3330 160 160. We will be pleased to help!