Thinking of opening a bagel restaurant? Great idea! Bagels aren't just delicious, they're increasingly popular.
The proof: if more than 120 million bagels were consumed in 2020, the market for this gourmet bread could represent more than 250 million euros by 2025!
So, if you're passionate about the restaurant business and have a soft spot for those round delicacies, here's how you can turn that business dream into reality! We tell you all about it in our Innovorder guide.
To launch your bagel restaurant project on a solid footing, a thorough understanding of the local market is essential. Who are the bagel lovers in your area? Which varieties attract the most diners? And most importantly, could your bagel burger concept stand out from the crowd? Proper market research will reveal this valuable information and help you tailor your offering to best meet the expectations of your future customers.
Opening a restaurant requires a substantial investment from the outset. Whether you're considering joining a franchise or launching your own brand, initial expenses such as rent, the purchase of specialized equipment for your bagels, and initial marketing efforts add up quickly. So it's essential to have a robust financial plan in place to effectively navigate through these expenses and keep your cash flow in balance.
👉 Find out how to create your business plan in 7 easy steps in this comprehensive guide.
Each option has its advantages:
👉 To go further: How to accelerate the development of your restaurant franchise
Launching your bagel restaurant starts with a few essential legal steps. These include registering your business with the relevant authorities, choosing the right legal structure and, potentially, protecting your trademark. It's vital to understand and manage these steps carefully to avoid future complications.
Before the doors of your bagel restaurant can officially open, a series of licenses and permits must be obtained. These documents vary depending on your location and what you offer, especially if you plan to sell alcohol or specific food products. Every detail counts, from the health license to the one regulating the use of your commercial space. Make sure you obtain all the necessary certifications well in advance of your planned opening.
👉 Find out all about restaurant licenses in this comprehensive guide
Choosing the legal structure of your business is more than a formality; it's a decision that directly impacts your tax obligations, your liability in the event of litigation, and your ability to attract investors. Options range from the simpler sole proprietorship, with unlimited liability, to more complex structures such as the SARL, which offers additional protection, but with more formalities. Think about your current and future needs to choose the framework that will best support your vision and business objectives.
Location is essential to the success of your restaurant. A good spot is one where there's a lot of foot traffic: busy pedestrian areas, business districts, or near major schools and universities. Also consider ease of access and parking. A good location can greatly increase your visibility and attract a steady flow of customers.
Your restaurant should be more than just a place to eat; it should be a destination. The atmosphere should be warm and the layout practical. Attractive design and a welcoming atmosphere are essential if your first guests are to become regulars. Think of the guest experience in every detail, from seating comfort to lighting!
The quality of your bagels depends on the quality of your ingredients and equipment. Select suppliers with a reputation for reliability and superior quality. A good partnership with your suppliers will guarantee a constant supply of quality bagels.
👉 To find out more: How to find the best suppliers for your restaurant
Consider adopting a diversified marketing approach to reach your target audience. Combine traditional advertising techniques with innovative campaigns on social networks (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok...) and local marketing actions. Storytelling can also be a powerful tool for connecting with your customers by sharing your brand story, your values and your passion for bagels!
Launch your bagel restaurant with a bang. Why not organize a memorable opening event with free tastings, special offers, and invite the local press? Use this event to create a buzz around your new establishment and establish a strong presence from day one.
Your staff is the heart of your operation. Invest in their training and well-being to keep them motivated and efficient. Well-trained, happy staff are synonymous with quality customer service that builds loyalty among your guests!
Efficient day-to-day management requires organized routines and smooth communication within your team. Set up systems for everything from inventory management to order taking, to ensure a smooth operation!
Opening and running a bagel shop is a time- and energy-intensive adventure.
To maximize your chances of success, equip your fast-food restaurant with tools specially designed to save you time, optimize your operations and boost your revenues.
For example, if you want to concentrate on customer reception, service and kitchen preparation, entrust order-taking to an order kiosk. In addition to reducing queues, an order kiosk increases your average bill thanks to appetizing photos of your menu and an intelligent order path offering automatic extras (drinks, desserts, etc.).
To expand your catchment area and attract thousands of potential customers, offer home delivery and click & collect with online ordering .
I've increased my sales by 50% thanks to delivery and click and collect. Peggy, BCHEF franchisee
To go even further, download our free guide by clicking on the banner below 👇
The bagel shop operates on a demanding business model: high turnover, a high degree of customization, and revenue concentrated in very short time slots.
Customizing bagels: a strategy that extends service hours
Choice of bread, protein, sauces, vegetarian options, add-ons… the ability to customize your bagel order is part of the customer experience.
But the more options there are, the more complicated taking orders at a bagel restaurant becomes. Mistakes increase, wait times get longer, and the pressure at the register mounts.
Without the right tools, this wealth of data quickly becomes an operational hindrance.
The lunch service often accounts for the majority of a bagel shop’s revenue. This means handling a high volume of orders in a very short amount of time.
Reducing checkout wait times is essential for preventing cart abandonment, maintaining customer satisfaction, and preserving the average order value.
As INSEE points out, the restaurant industry is moving toward models that are increasingly fast-paced and efficiency-driven.
A line that's too long is often enough to drive a customer away.
Without an order kiosk, click-and-collect service, or a connected bagel shop checkout, the risk is clear: losing sales at the very moment when demand is highest.
👉 Learn more: 6 steps to opening a bagel shop [complete guide]
Streamlining the order-taking process relies on several complementary strategies to better organize the customer journey.
The fast-food ordering kiosk reduces checkout lines while enhancing the customer experience. Customers can take their time customizing their bagel, easily explore additional options, and place their order without feeling rushed.
The teams are refocusing on food preparation and service rather than simply taking orders.
👉 Learn more: Installing a payment terminal: 8 mistakes to avoid
Click-and-collect allows customers to place orders before arriving, especially during the lunch rush. This reduces pressure at the store, improves turnover, and optimizes the lunch bagel service.
Customers save time, and the restaurant runs more smoothly.
The Kitchen Display System sends orders directly to the kitchen, eliminating the need for manual re-entry or paper tickets. It improves readability, reduces errors, and speeds up service.
The kitchen, kiosk, click-and-collect service, and checkout then operate as part of a single ecosystem.
👉 Learn more: KDS and online orders: synchronization and real-world benefits
Separating in-store, delivery, and click-and-collect orders helps prevent bottlenecks. Each order should follow a smooth path, free of unnecessary friction.
Average order time, average cart value, abandonment rate, or volume by channel: these metrics make it possible to quickly adjust operations.
A connected cash register centralizes this data and makes it easier to make adjustments.
👉 Find out more: Why integrating a 360° ecosystem improves restaurant profitability
The network has installed order kiosks, a production display, and a centralized order management system. The result: less friction, smoother operations on the floor, and an increase in average basket size.
As founder Thierry Veil explains: “The kiosk automatically suggests side dishes or desserts; it’s much more proactive. This naturally boosts upselling.”
The kiosk doesn't replace the customer experience; it enhances it.
👉 Read more: Bagelstein was against the checkout kiosks… until he saw the impact on the average basket size
Optimization should be carried out gradually, in accordance with the store’s priorities.
Excessively long wait times, frequent errors, crowded checkout lines, disorganized operations… First, we need to identify the real bottlenecks.
Every institution has its own challenges.
The kiosk isn't always the first step. Depending on your volume, foot traffic, or current setup, the KDS, click-and-collect, or checkout may take priority.
Technology alone is not enough. Teams need to understand the new tools, incorporate them into their daily routines, and adopt new habits.
Service time, average order value, order volume, and customer satisfaction provide a quick way to measure return on investment. Monitoring performance remains essential.
In a bagel shop, optimizing the ordering process isn’t just about convenience—it’s about performance. From self-order kiosks and click-and-collect to KDS and connected registers, each tool helps reduce friction, improve profitability, and streamline the customer experience.
The goal remains the same: to serve customers faster, boost sales, and provide a seamless experience, even during the busy lunch rush.
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Are you opening or taking over a restaurant? Contact an Innovorder expert to get personalized advice for your restaurant!
