jonathan spivak ⋅ Bethany Beach, DE Coastal Cuisine, Inc ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Milton,
You have gotten some sound advice in the other answers. Franchises can be great but most are fast food and not higher quality dining with bar service. The business side training with a franchise can be very valuable.
Being a chef and having owned three fine dining restaurants I recommend securing a position in an established and highly successful full service restaurant. Be frank with the owner and tell him you want to learn all operations, front and back of the house. Take two years, learn everything you can and supplement your knowledge with additional education (on line, periodicals, recipe books etc.)
Develop a vision of what you want your restaurant to be, make sure you are passionate about the business and be committed to excellence in everything you do and require of others.
Then you have a choice, with substantial financial resources, investors and some bank financing you can built a restaurant from scratch. However, I prefer to buy an existing restaurant, fully equipped that is either distressed or must be sold for personal reasons. finally, any restaurateur worth his/her salt will gladly help you, mentor you.
Best success to you.

Michael Simmons ⋅ Madison, AL Business Alliance Inc. ⋅ 1 years experience

Hello Milton,

You have gotten lots of good information and I would like to add to that by offering my services as a business consultant.

I assist people like yourself in helping them find a business that matches their goals at no cost to you.

I am available to help.

Sincerely,

Michael Simmons

Charles Coley ⋅ Blowing Rock, NC ⋅ 40 years experience

I suggest your 1st step is to go to VettoCEO.org and take their 8 week course. It is excellent! Only 2 hours a week.

I worked my way through college in a restaurant and owned several. Be willing to commit most of each day to it's success. One must have lots of controls or live with it all the time. Good luck.

I will be happy to discuss it with you.

Charles

Richard Ashe ⋅ Houston, TX Veteran Franchise Advisers ⋅ 30 years experience

Brian is correct...restaurants are one of the most challenging businesses and have a higher failure rate that other businesses. Banks are skittish and require that either you or someone on your team have restaurant experience to qualify for financing.

Have you considered a franchise? Franchising provides a proven business model and brand, assist with site selection, lease negotiation and provide training which provides you the structure you need to increase your chances of success whole answering many of the "I don't know what I don't know questions" about running a successful restaurant.

Franchises covet veterans because of there ability to follow a plan, discipline, team work and many offer discounts and financial incentives for veterans.

If you dream is to own a restaurant that consider exploring franchises as a potential vehicle for business ownership.

Brian Richardson ⋅ Columbus, IN U.S. Army, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

A business plan could be a good starting point. Check out this free course about it. It will start you thinking about what needs to be done. https://www.udacity.com/course/ep245

You have your work cut out for you. Restaurants can be difficult. Costs can spiral out of control if you are not careful. Have you worked in a restaurant before? There are a lot of behind the scenes situations that you would need to be aware of. It's not JUST about great food.

Is there a way you can start small before going "all in"? Can you cater? Food truck? etc.

If I can be of further help, message me here or thru my site.

Brian Richardson
www.VetLaunched.com