Typea of restaurant

• Family-style restaurants

  • Wide menu of "meat and potato" selections
  • Price range that appeals to an average family income
  • Serve beer and wine if they have a liquor license
  • Bright decor
  • Combination of counters, tables, and booths
  • Parking is necessary since customers usually arrive by car
• Location of family restaurants

  Near a residential area and a highway
• Operating hours of family restaurants

  Usually from early evening to midnight
• Staff of family restaurants

  Friendly and efficient
• Initial investment for family restaurants

  Medium to high
• Coffee shops


  • Fast-food service
  • Simple decor
  • Relatively low prices
  • Usually located in an office building or shopping mall
  • High rent
  • Minimally trained staff
  • Peak periods are lunch and coffee breaks
  • Operating hours are from early morning to early evening
  • Takeout service may be offered
• Cafeterias


  • Usually located in shopping centers and office buildings
  • Self-service with limited menus of soups, entrees, desserts, and beverages
  • Require a large preparation area
  • Minimally trained staff
  • Beer and wine may be offered
  • Fast service is necessary to handle the traffic volume
  • Operating hours depend on location (school, office building, airport, or highway)
• Gourmet restaurants


  • Require a higher initial investment than other types of restaurants
  • Expensive ambiance and decor
  • Cater to those who want a higher standard and are willing to pay the price
  • Higher prices due to high investment required
  • Menu and wines are carefully planned
  • Highly trained staff
  • Main emphasis is on the evening period
  • Location is important but may not be critical
  • Word-of-mouth advertising and repeat business are keys to success
• Ethnic restaurants


  • Feature the food of a specific region or country
  • Decor usually has an ethnic motif
  • Must serve authentic cuisine of the region or country they are featuring
  • Those who prepare the food must be well-trained and knowledgable
  • Price range from budget to high
  • Beer, wine, and liquor may or may not be served
  • High initial investment due to decor and staff training
  • Variable location
  • Operating hours are in the evening
• Fast-food restaurants


  • Limited menu with low prices
  • Operate for long hours and generally for seven days a week
  • Alcoholic beverages are not offered
  • Well-trained staff is required for franchise operation
  • Offer a limited menu which gives them greater purchasing power, less waste, and lower labor costs
  • Use disposable paper, plastic, and styrofoam containers which save dishwashing costs
  • Pioneers in establishing more efficient food-operating system
• Deli shops


  • Provide delicatessen food service, combining traditional delicatessen cold meats and cheese with takeout sandwiches, salads, and similar items
  • Some have limited seating capacity
  • Located in shopping areas or office buildings
  • Open from 9:00AM to 5:00PM or 9:00PM
  • Low capital investment
  • Low labor costs because only one or two owners and employees are involved
• Buffet restaurants


  • Established on a completely self-service basis
  • Offer table and service for liquor, beer, and wine if provided
  • Food buffet is usually an "all you can eat" hot and cold food for one price
  • Food preparation and service staff are kept to a minimum
  • Cater to the family and therefore offer reasonable prices
  • Open from 5:00PM to 11:00PM
• Transportation restaurants


  • Located along auto and bus transportation routes, as well as at bus, rail, and air transportation buildings, and on transportation vehicles like trains and ships
  • Some cater to tour groups, particularly bus tour groups
  • Require special cafeteria or buffet-type facilities so that arriving groups can be served quickly and continue on their journey