10 Silly newbie questions

Started by positanopepe, August 20, 2017, 12:15:41 PM

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positanopepe

1) For places that have different size pies, 12", 14" 16", say, when making the dough balls, do you make dough balls for these 3 sizes or do you just make one large dough ball and then cut off some to make a smaller size? It would seem like making 3 sets of dough balls for 3 sizes of pies would be inefficient.

2) When finding a retail space, did you get a few months with no rent so you can modify the space and prepare for opening?

3) I make more NY/thin style pizza.  When I cut the pie, many times the cheese will slide as I cut.  Is this due to a poor cutter or is what other way to get a clean cut on a thin pie? Any recommendations for a cutter? (I don't feel mine is the best, or the worst)

4)Does anyone consider getting their own car for delivery? Or is it always better to hire a dumb teenager willing to use their car? I saw a local place that had a old VW bug as their delivery vehicle and it stood out with the advertising all around it. 

5) Do you pay gas for the driver's car, or is that part of the deal/they get tips but must pay for gas?

6) Can any retail space be converted to a restaurant, and just need proper electrical/hood? Or is it usually that there are retail spaces that can not be used for restaurant?

7) Outside of the oven, do you recommend buying new equipment for the reliability, or buying used to protect cashflow in the beginning?

8) I'm a big believer in doing one thing perfect, rather than 10 mediocre things.  That being said, additional menu items can be critical to maximizing revenue.  What's your most popular menu item outside of pizza? How important has this item been to your revenue?

9)What is one expense you found a way to reduce that has had a impact on your business?

10) What is one piece of equipment that might not be necessary but has been worth the expense?

TXCraig1

WRT #8, I completely agree. That being said, appetizers, salads, desserts that make sense don't have to distract from your focus on pizza. I think they are not just important to your bottom line, but also to giving a complete offering to your customer. Where i think restaurants start to get into trouble is when they try to be all things to all people and add all sorts of things that have no relationship to pizza or whatever the core focus is.
"We make great pizza, with sourdough when we can, baker's yeast when we must, but always great pizza."  
Craig's Neapolitan Garage

BillyG23

Ok since this is going to be my first reply I mind as well answer all your questions.  And I'm kind of bored at 1 am as the life of a pizzeria owner keeps you up late.

1) Dough ball sizes should be weighed out.  In a thin style a good rule of thumb is an ounce per inch, I add an ounce more an inch to make sure I don't have thin middles for all my pizza guys who aren't as good.  Remember, a too thin middle can ruin the whole pie.  If you want a bigger crust then add another inch or even two and leave more dough on the outside for nice thick crust.  I dont have crust on mine.  I try to keep middle all the way out even.

2)  Yes, any landlord will give you at least two months free rent for a store that is already built.  If you're gonna build it from nothing then you can ask for 6 months.  You are building him a store he can rent forever so it's worth it to him. 

3) You're probably not cooking it enough.  I'm not sure about this one.  I've been using the same pizza cutters for 10 years, never replaced them or sharpened them.  Never had an issue on this, that was my best guess

4)  No, never! They have their own car and you give them all of the delivery charge or a portion of it.  I charge 2.50 and they get 2.00.  also $5 an hour.  This is a little high but they are happy and I've had the same drivers for a long time.  They make money and you don't have to worry about hiring new people every week.

5) No way, see above

6) Yes and no.  Zoning-wise, commercial is commercial, but it is ultimately up to the landlord. Again, if you're gonna build it out, he'll be ecstatic.

7)  That can go either way, I would look for a place already built that is closed or even already running is better.  But if you're hell bent on building from scratch, I would go new on the refrigeration but pretty much anything else can be used.  Refrigeration is usually the hardest thing to maintain and what most frequently breaks down.

8)  Concentrate on what you do perfectly first, and then everytime you make menus you can add a few things.  Remember!!! Great food is what people want. So whatever you do make sure your product is the best thing you ever tasted.  So stick what you do best in the beginning and then move on to things you can perfect when you have the time.  Start with the best end with the best.  You can't lose this way

9)  Ok, this is the one everyone gets screwed up on.  And not everyone is gonna agree on this, but I've made a lot of money following this philosophy.  This is the most vital thing I can say.  Don't concentrate all your time on expenses and on how much things cost.  Yes, keep an eye on it, but the what you should keep your eye on the most is your profit.  And in this business profit comes with the right menu prices.  DO NOT undercharge to beat the competition.  Don't even look at the competition's menu to compare pricing to set yours.  You look at YOUR food cost and your profits.  You build your prices from there.  Don't buy cheap products like everyone else does.  The only way you set yourself apart from everyone is to make some say, damn that was #*%$ awesome.  That's how you make money!  So don't buy the cheaper fries because they were $5 cheaper or the pizza cheese was cheaper.  I promise you, you make great food and you will make money.  That is your priority.  If you have high margins, you make money and you're happy, you can pay your employees, they stick and you're happy, your customers are happy your pocket is happy.  But that only works if you're selling a great product.  If you're not willing to put out the best product, at best you make a marginal paycheck and you'll always be at work with no money and since you're not home your wife and kids will hate you, along with your employees and your customers.  So save yourself the trouble, be happy and make money.  It doesn't matter how much revenue you do it matters how much money you make. 

10) a great air conditioning unit, and leaving my wife at home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I didn't proof read it i just typed, I hope that helps.

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