What is Grand Opening? What does a restaurant need to prepare?

Grand Opening is not just an event but also an important part of the restaurant’s business strategy. This event helps the restaurant attract public audiences, thereby increasing the chance of converting them into target customers. So, what is Grand Opening? What should be prepared for the opening day? Let’s find out the answer with Kamereo in the following article!

*The Grand Opening event plays an important role for restaurants*

What is Grand Opening?

Grand Opening is an English term commonly used to refer to opening ceremonies. This is a popular concept and widely used in events today. Typically, Grand Opening is often used in opening events for businesses such as showrooms, restaurants, agencies, shopping centers, etc. This event marks the beginning of an organization’s or business’s activities. Therefore, at the opening ceremony, investors, potential customers, and even employees of the business are often involved.

In addition, Grand Opening plays a particularly important role for restaurants in attracting the attention of the public audience. This creates a lasting impression in the minds and makes it easier for potential customers to remember when they have a need. At the opening ceremony, restaurants often organize many interesting activities such as performances, culinary experiences, along with attractive promotions and gifts to attract customers.

*Grand Opening is an opportunity to attract customers and affirm the position of the restaurant*

What is a Soft Opening

Soft Opening is a term in the business – service field in the restaurant, hotel, and real estate industry. Accordingly, this term refers to the soft opening or unveiling of a new business establishment to a small group or a limited number of customers before officially opening to the public.

The goal of a Soft Opening is to test and adjust all aspects of business operations from services to menus or facilities before the official opening (Grand Opening). This helps businesses to identify and address issues quickly.

*Soft Opening can be understood as a trial period before the opening*

What should be prepared for the restaurant opening?

After understanding what Grand Opening is and realizing the importance of this day, a perfect plan will help the restaurant score points in the minds of customers.

Make a specific plan to reach customers

First, you need to outline a detailed plan for the Grand Opening event including: setting a timeline, guest list, and restaurant decoration design. Then, implement an extensive marketing campaign to inform everyone about this event.

*You need to build a tight plan for the opening day*

Choose a suitable date

The timing of the opening ceremony should be carefully considered to ensure luck and convenience for the restaurant. Besides, you can also choose a date based on preferences or any special significance. However, make sure the weather on the opening day is favorable to attract more participants.

Apply for a Grand Opening permit

Before organizing the Grand Opening, you need permission from the local authorities. This is to ensure that the event does not cause noise and affect traffic. Kamereo recommends submitting the permit application at least 30 days before the opening to avoid any unwanted incidents.

Here are some types of documents you need to prepare to apply for a permit:
Event permit application form, with the company’s name requesting permission.
Copies of business registration certificates.
Copies of registration contracts with the event organizers (if any).
Authorization letters from both the client and the event organizing company.
Contracts signed with the venue where the event is held and the program content.
Confirmation of copyright payment if there are music or art performances.
Permission from the Department of Trade and Industry if there is a lottery or promotion program.
If the event sells tickets, include a sample of the ticket. Make sure all ticketing requirements and information are clearly stated and comply with regulations.

*You need to prepare full documentation before applying for a Grand Opening permit*

Media coverage for the opening ceremony

To ensure that the restaurant’s Grand Opening event can attract more people, you need to deploy an effective communication strategy. These are activities to be carried out before the event about 20 – 30 days in advance to achieve the best results:

Distribute flyers around the restaurant area.
Use billboards and advertising posters to introduce the Grand Opening event.
Take advantage of the power of social networks to spread information about the event.
Invite celebrities to attend or take on brand ambassador roles to attract more attention to the event.

Promotional programs at the event

At the Grand Opening event, customers are often interested in promotional programs and gifts. Therefore, you should invest part of your budget to organize these activities, but with a specific plan to control costs.

Utilizing promotional programs at Grand Opening is an effective measure to attract customers. In setting up promotional policies, the most important thing is to ensure that the offers and discounts reflect the restaurant’s appreciation, enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication to customers.

*Promotional programs at the Grand Opening event are indispensable*

Make an impression on opening day

After communicating about the upcoming Grand Opening event, you need to prepare the event space to impress customers. This helps them easily remember the restaurant when they have dining needs with friends, lovers, or family.

Here are some tips to impress customers at the opening ceremony:

Grand Opening space decoration: Use balloon arches, inflatable gates, balloon drops from the ceiling, and banners to create highlights for the space.
Use sound and lighting systems: Arrange lion dance performances, dragon dances, drum performances, singing, or dancing depending on the budget to attract customer attention.
Organize smart and creative programs: Ensure that the program content is arranged reasonably, intelligently, and not boring so that customers have a memorable experience.

Build a long-term marketing strategy

You can use the Grand Opening as an opportunity to kick off long-term marketing activities. Here are some simple but highly effective marketing methods for restaurants:

Put up advertising boards: Use billboards or advertising signs to announce upcoming promotions or new dishes to be launched at the restaurant.
Try new dishes: Create areas for free or discounted tasting of new dishes so customers have the opportunity to experience and appreciate the quality.
Discounts on special occasions: Implement discount programs, promotions on special occasions (birthdays, holidays, etc.) to attract customers.
Organize contests at the restaurant: Create special events (culinary contests, cultural events, etc.) to enhance interaction and bonding with customers.

Long-term marketing strategy to remind the brand and find new customers

Conclusion

Hope this article helps you answer what Grand Opening is and what needs to be prepared for this event. On opening day, meticulousness and professionalism will help create a good impression on target customers. Follow the Restaurant Business Experience section for more interesting and useful information!