Many professionals consider opening their restaurant abroad. But what are the real advantages of taking this path? How can you differentiate your business in another culture? In this article, we'll explore which countries to choose, what budget to expect, and the necessary permits.
How to differentiate yourself when opening a French restaurant abroad?
To recreate a strong, typically "French" atmosphere
The "French" ambiance is above all about offering a warm atmosphere and impeccable service. Try your best to recreate this atmosphere in your establishment.
First and foremost, avoid clichés with a "Paris" theme and poor taste. Instead, pay attention to a range of carefully considered details, such as the table settings and the attire of your servers. Furthermore, for the sake of authenticity, don't hesitate to hire staff who speak fluent French.
Modernizing traditional dishes
French cuisine has long been renowned abroad, prized for its many regional specialties that vary from region to region. Despite the rich cultural heritage found in each of these traditional dishes, it's also essential to modernize the French cuisine you wish to offer.
Customers are increasingly seeking organic, vegan, or vegetarian options. Concepts that fuse two cultures are also very popular and trendy. Depending on the country you plan to enter, it will be essential to adapt your menu to the local culture and consumer habits.
Refining your food and wine list
It will be essential for your restaurant to refine your menu. Whether it's the food or wine list, it's crucial that it be comprehensive and appeal to everyone. Charcuterie, dishes with sauces, cheeses, and wines are examples of items you can include. Discover in detail how to create your wine list .
Select high-quality products that closely resemble those found in France. Carefully consider your suppliers: you will need to work with local products and anticipate what you will import to stay true to French culinary tradition. The same applies to wines: take the time to carefully select them and include quality wines that represent French winemaking expertise.
How to open your own restaurant?
In which country will you open your restaurant?
When choosing the country where you will settle, it's important to consider what kind of cuisine you want to practice. If you'd prefer meat, we recommend Argentina; for fish and shellfish, Peru and Chile. As for cultural and culinary diversity, Canada…
Tailor these destinations to the languages you speak, or start learning them now! Aim for a country with a good tourist presence, where people are also interested in discovering French cuisine. Here's a short ranking of the most business-friendly countries according to Tactill.com:
1 - New Zealand
2 - Canada
6 - Singapore
7 - Australia
8 - Hong Kong
10 - Portugal
14 - Belgium
15 - Taiwan
Also consider the local processes for opening a restaurant; some countries have more protectionist policies than others. In the United States, for example, the procedures for opening a restaurant are simpler than in other countries.
What budget is needed to open a restaurant abroad?
As for the budget you'll need, it will also depend on the country and city you choose. Some have premises that cost more or less to open a restaurant in certain areas. Also, consider the cost of living in the country for your accommodation and the cost of purchasing your ingredients from suppliers.
To give you an idea of the budget required to open your restaurant abroad, here is a list of expenses you may incur:
- Business setup costs: Depending on the country, setting up your company can have varying costs.
- Insurance costs: some countries require mandatory insurance to open your restaurant
- Training costs: some authorizations or licenses are obtained on the condition of completing mandatory training courses.
- Cost of buying or renting your premises
- Renovation costs: construction work, furniture, dishes, decoration...
- Purchase of kitchen equipment
- Purchase of stocks and raw materials
It also helps you anticipate your restaurant's operating costs, that is, the expenses you will incur to run your business:
- Staff salaries
- Bills (water, energy...)
- Inventory management
- Maintenance costs
What process and authorizations are required to take over a business?
Regarding the permits required to open a restaurant abroad, the most frequent case is the takeover of an existing business.
It will be very important to thoroughly research the administrative procedures abroad, particularly the legal statuses, available assistance, and tax laws. Don't hesitate to seek advice from locals or contacts who can guide you in opening your restaurant abroad.
Why is it advantageous to open your restaurant abroad?
French gastronomy: a guarantee of success abroad
What does France evoke abroad? Luxury, haute cuisine, and Parisian chic. These are certainly solid foundations for promoting French culture. For many people, France, and therefore French cuisine, evokes genuine expertise and a guarantee of quality, even excellence.
The "gastronomic meal of the French" has been inscribed by UNESCO on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list for over 10 years. Perhaps this is a sign that you, too, are inspired to venture into the restaurant industry abroad? Many professionals in the restaurant sector have built successful careers outside of France.
Examples include:
- Guillaume Galliot : this three-Michelin-starred chef is enjoying real success in Hong Kong. The Chinese population is particularly fond of and knowledgeable about French cuisine and gastronomy.
- Daniel Boulud : with around twenty establishments around the world today, Daniel Boulud was voted the world's best restaurateur in 2021. His establishments can be found in the United States, Canada, London, Dubai and Singapore.
- Alain Caron : having become a public figure in Amsterdam, Alain Caron participated in the Masterchef program, opened 4 restaurants and regularly organizes culinary festivals.
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