The internet provides you with a wealth of information at your finger tips. This quick guide will show you some of the best online resources available to restaurant owners, from free business planning software to tools to help you design your kitchen layout.

1. Restaurant
Start Up
Online
Resources
Guide Book #2 www.cateringmentor.co.uk

2. Online Resources for Restaurant Start ups
Thinking about opening a restaurant or do you already own one.
The internet provides you with a wealth of information at your finger tips.
This quick guide will show you some of the best online resources available to restaurant owners, from free business planning
software to tools to help you design your kitchen layout.
Contents
Government Resources
Banking websites
Venture Capital Companies
Marketing Resources
Business Planning Software
Kitchen Design
What's Hot
Restaurant Organizations that you need to check out.
What are the best Catering Industry Trade Shows?
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3. Government Resources
Business Link (probably the best place to get started) is a government-funded, free
business advice and guidance service in the UK, offering information for people who are
starting a business, or thinking of it as well as guidance on how to grow a business.
Our favourite resources here are the Business Start-up Organiser to help you create a
personalised list of tasks needed to set up a business and a Grants and Support Directory
to locate potential sources of help. Definitely worth checking out:
www.businesslink.gov.uk
The Business Gateway is the sister organisation to business link offering information for
start-up and existing business in Scotland.
www.bgateway.com
For information on health and safety, nutrition and registering a food business check out
the Food Safety Associations website.
www.food.gov.uk
Companies' House is the United Kingdom Registrar of Companies and is packed full
of advice on everything relating to incorporating your business.
www.companieshouse.gov.uk
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4. HM Revenue and Customs is the place to go to learn more about VAT, Corporation Tax,
Starting up in business and Closing or selling a business. So visit
www.hmrc.gov.uk/businesses/index.shtml
To learn more about business rates and find out what the rateable value of a
property is, visit the website of the Valuation Office Agency an agency of HM
Revenue & Customs.
http://www.voa.gov.uk/
Free Business Planning Software
For anyone looking to start a restaurant in the UK go to the website of accountancy
software firm Sage and download their free business planning software. It helps you
through the whole process of turning your business idea into reality.
www.sage.co.uk
Free Kitchen Design Software
If you are just getting started, Smart Draw offers a really helpful free trial
download program at
www.smartdraw.com/specials/kitchendesign.asp
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5. Banking Resources
Who say banks are all bad. There are a plethora of free resources available from the banks.
Check out some of the best.
Access to the right resources is crucial when you are running your own business and this
website from Lloyds bank is packed full of information to help you navigate a course
through these changing times whilst you prepare your business for the upturn. Here you’ll
find dedicated guides, expert advice and real life business stories.
www.supportingbusinesses.co.uk/lloyds/
Clearly Business owned by Barclays is a complete online resource for people running a
business, or dreaming of setting up their own - the best practical advice this site has
guides and articles on all aspects of running your own business.
www.clearlybusiness.co.uk
From Bank of Ireland this is a free, email-based course, consisting of an Information Guide
and six modules that cover the key topics you need to know when starting a new business.
www.bankofirelandstartupcourse.com
Need help with something in particular or just looking for inspiration? Whatever stage
your business is at, HSBCs range of practical information will answer the questions you're
asking right now.
www.knowledge.hsbc.co.uk/
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6. Banking Resources Continued
Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Bizguides are designed to help you start-up and
grow your business. Check out:
www.alliance-leicestercommercialbank.co.uk/bizguides/full/index.asp
In my mind Nat West provides one of the most comprehensive resources for Business
Start Ups. Offering guide books, free business planning software and a free online course
that makes it easy to get to grips with the basics.
www.natwest.com/business/starting-a-business.ashx
Bank of Scotland's business guides are designed to help and support you at every stage of
your business journey – whether you’re starting up, growing your business or planning for
the future.
www.bankofscotlandbusiness.co.uk/business-guidance/
Getting Insured
Thanks to the internet, it is now possible to compare multiple policies and providers of
public liability cover in a similar way to car and home insurance. Although the choice of
companies is much more limited, online business insurance comparison sites offer
price and policy comparison services for most types and size of business. Check out:
www.swinton.co.uk/commercial/
www.simplybusiness.co.uk/
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7. Designing your brand
Whether you plan to graphically design your menu yourself or plan to bring in a
professional check out these resources online.
Ensure your menu stands out from the crowd with some funky fonts. DaFont is an
archive of thousands of great downloadable fonts. Fonts are categorized by theme, and
can also be sorted by name, date, and popularity. Free and commercial fonts are
available.
www.dafont.com
Need a logo designed. Why not host your very own "design contest" where thousands of
talented designers compete to create a logo design you love, or your money back!
You describe your requirements, Dozens of designers submit logo design concepts and you
only pay for the logo design you like best!
www.99designs.com
Need a website built or perhaps a menu designed, check out Elance. Elance is a company that
provides an Internet virtual marketplace for freelancers and freelance agencies to negotiate
work contracts with businesses that hire independent professionals and agencies.
www.elance.com
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8. Angel Investors
There are a growing number of venture capital firms that are looking for small businesses to
invest in. If you are simply looking to run a sweet little bistro, the best you could hope for
would probably be a local businessman keen to invest. But if you are looking to launch a new
concept restaurant with potential for rapid expansion, venture capital funding may be available
to you. If you choose a venture capitalist, make sure you maintain control running your
business.
Angels Den Where Entrepreneurs and Investors Meet. Once you’ve put your business plan
together, you’re only steps away from pitching face to face to some of their 3000+ Angels, so
what are you waiting for?
www.angelsden.co.uk
Angel Investment Network is a web-based matching service for angel investors seeking
investment opportunities and entrepreneurs seeking capital.
www.angelinvestmentnetwork.co.uk
The BBAA is the national trade association dedicated to promoting angel
investing and supporting early stage investment in the UK.
www.bbaa.org.uk
Venture Giant is a leading online solution that matches serious & active business Investors'
with Entrepreneurs' seeking investment to start-up their company or expand their existing
business
www.venturegiant.com
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9. Trend Watching – Looking for inspiration
What are the hot trends in 2010. Check out the following sites for some great ideas.
One’s To Watch is a monthly review of some of the hottest restaurant trends, from US
based Quick Service Magazine.
www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/ones_to_watch/
Springwise.com and its network of spotters scan the globe for smart new business ideas.
www.springwise.com/food_beverage/
Take a look at the S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants for some thoroughly
inspirational ideas.
www.theworlds50best.com/
Check out the Time Out Eating and Drinking Awards, London’s most respected restaurant
and bar awards, are now in their twenty-first year. These awards recognise the best of
London’s diverse new eating and drinking places.
www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/
See what’s hot in Restaurant and Bar Design
www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com/
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10. Restaurant Organizations that you need to check out.
There are numerous trade associations for the food service industry. Most offer plenty of
free advice and publish relevant trade magazines as well as great award ceremonies every
year. Check out the following:
The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has been representing the hotel, restaurant and
catering industry for over 100 years. The BHA is the parent organization for the Restaurant
Association, the leading trade organization for the restaurant industry. The Association's
key objective is to advance the interests of restaurateurs, and it is supported by over 50
Patron Suppliers providing a range of support services,
www.bha.org.uk
The National Restaurant Association is a restaurant industry business association in the
United States, representing more than 380,000 restaurant locations
www.restaurant.org
The Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) The SRA is a not-for-profit, nationwide,
membership-based organization committed to promoting sustainability across the
UK’s restaurant industry, from high street chains to fine dining operators. The SRA
provides restaurants with advice and support to help its members navigate the whole
spectrum of sustainability issues.
www.thesra.org
The British Sandwich Association is a great resource for anyone thinking of opening up a
sandwich shop or deli.
www.sandwich.org.uk
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11. Restaurant Organizations (Continued)
The Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association (PAPA) is the only formal trade body in the UK
representing the broad pizza, pasta and Italian food and drink industry.
www.papa.org.uk
The Café Society a sister organisation to PAPA and BSA, is dedicated to promoting the
development of the café environment in the UK and to encouraging high standards in all
aspects of the business, from coffee and tea making to service.
www.cafesociety.org.uk
The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) is the representative group for the Irish
Restaurant Industry, providing a wealth of benefits and services to restaurant owners.
www.rai.ie
The British Franchise Association (BFA) is the voluntary self regulating governing body for
franchising industry. Whether you are looking to become a franchisee or a franchisor this
is a great place to start.
www.thebfa.org
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12. Restaurant Organizations (Continued)
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is the leading organisation representing the
UK beer and pub sector. Their members account for 98% of beer brewed in the UK and
own more than half of Britain's 54,000 pubs.
www.beerandpub.com
The British Coffee Association (BCA) provides a representative voice for all the UK coffee
trade and industry and promotes and safeguards members' interests in all matters relating
to the coffee industry.
www.britishcoffeeassociation.org
The British Association of Innkeepers (BII) is the professional body for the licensed retail
sector
www.bii.org
Established in 1965 as a Guild of the Cookery and Food Association, the Craft Guild of
Chefs has developed into the leading Chefs’ Association in the UK and has many members
worldwide.
www.craftguildofchefs.org
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13. What are the best Catering Industry Trade Shows?
There are numerous National and Regional exhibitions and trade shows for restaurant
owners and managers. Check out some of the following remember times and locations
may vary.
The Restaurant Show takes place in Earls Court, London every October. The line-up of live
events see some of the UK's leading chefs demonstrate new and inspirational ideas,
Restaurant Managers share their top tips on how to enhance business and Sommeliers
and food experts offer advice on how to create that winning menu.
www.therestaurantshow.co.uk
Lunch the UK's only trade show for the food-to-go market and is held in
September/October in Old Billingsgate, in the heart of London.
www.lunchshow.co.uk
Hotelympia is held every year in February at the Excel Centre in London and is one of the
biggest of all the UK Restaurant shows. Not to be missed.
www.hotelympia.com
The National Restaurant Association runs an annual restaurant and hospitality industry
trade show in Chicago, This Grand Daddy of them all takes over virtually the entire city of a
week every year in May.
www.show.restaurant.org
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14. Catering Trade Shows (Continued)
Hospitality UK is held every January at the NEC IN Birmingham incorporates not only the
largest collection of hospitality-related exhibitors in the country but also Hostec Europe
the only dedicated UK hospitality technology event.
www.hospitalityshow.co.uk
Scot Hot delivers the largest collection of hospitality-related exhibitors in Scotland and
happens in February every year at the SECC IN Glasgow.
www.scothot.co.uk
Caffè Culture is the leading trade exhibition exclusively catering for Europe's growing café
bar market. Held in June at the Olympia London.
www.caffeculture.com
Catex is Irelands leading food service tradeshow and is held every two years at the RDS
Dublin in February.
www.catexexhibition.com
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15. Catering Trade Shows (Continued)
Hotel & Catering Show is a must visit caterers, restaurant owners and hoteliers and takes
place at the Bournemouth Int. Centre in March.
www.hotel-expo.co.uk
Finally visit one of the BBC Good food shows for lots of inspiration and a chance to meet
your favourite celebrity chefs, held in October and November around the country.
www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com
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