Successful restaurateurs or food entrepreneurs should always be searching for new ways to appeal to the general public. Whether you’re considering opening a new restaurant, bringing in guest chefs, or even starting a pop-up restaurant, there are many ways to stay modern and relevant in the always-competitive restaurant industry.
In fact, pop-up restaurants can be a fantastic way to break into the restaurant space or to try something new if you have an already-established restaurant.
If you’re new to the concept of pop-up kitchens or supper clubs, you might have questions. Luckily, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about pop-up restaurants, from what they are to how you can set one up.
A pop-up restaurant is a temporary restaurant or supper club that runs for a limited time. It’s a way for business owners to provide an exciting dining experience without needing to operate from a permanent restaurant location.
Up-and-coming chefs might run a pop-up dinner to establish themselves in their local food scene.
Alternatively, the managers of existing restaurants might choose to run a pop-up to bring in a guest chef or run an event focusing on a different type of cuisine. Some of the best restaurants in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York use the pop-up concept to give their business a boost.
Pop-up kitchens are popular with foodies, and many business owners use social media hype to advertise their pop-up events. It’s a fantastic way for new food voices to make a splash and for chefs to experiment with a new menu.
There are several reasons why someone might choose to open a pop-up restaurant.
For one thing, pop-up kitchens can have lower operating costs and startup costs than traditional restaurants. That’s because there’s no need to pay regular rent or mortgage payments on a permanent kitchen space if you don’t already have one. You’ll have to acquire temporary kitchen space and any kitchen equipment you need, but your overheads likely won’t be as high as setting up a full-size restaurant.
If you already have a restaurant, a pop-up can be an excellent way to try out a new restaurant concept. You can bring in a guest chef or try something new to vary your restaurant menu and bring in new customers. Running pop-ups in your existing restaurant space is a great way to set yourself apart from your competitors.
Trying out a few different pop-up locations can also be a good way of testing the waters of a particular area in a city before you settle on a setting for a permanent restaurant.
If you’re unsure of how to start a new pop-up restaurant, here are seven simple steps to follow.
Start by organizing the business license you need to operate in your area. Note that this can vary from state to state and country to country, so check in with your local regulations.
You'll also need a temporary liquor license if you plan to serve alcohol at your supper club.
Next, decide what menu items you want to serve your customers.
Most people running their own pop-ups or supper clubs choose to run a prix fixe menu. This can be a good idea if you’re operating with limited storage space or a smaller kitchen space than you’re used to.
It also reduces stress on the night itself, as your customers will all be served the same (or almost the same) meals.
Consider a prix fixe menu but ensure you provide options for diners with special dietary requirements or allergies.
When you know what you’re going to cook for your guests, you’ll want to find the perfect location for your pop-up. Look for a space you like — remember that pop-ups don’t have to be in traditional restaurant settings, so you can think outside the box and get creative.
Some people set up supper clubs in large event spaces, while others prefer a cozy feel or something a little more quirky. Think about what your ideal guests would like.
Restaurant pop-ups can run for one night or a few days in a row, or they can be a regular feature of the local area, like a weekly pop-up. Once you find a spot for your supper club with a good atmosphere and location, reserve it for the day or days you need.
If you choose a location without a full-size kitchen, you may need to set up a mobile kitchen to ensure you can cook everything on the night of the pop-up.
Renting a food truck might be an easy solution if your menu is simple. However, if your chosen dishes are a little more complex or require specialist equipment, you might need to rent a commercial kitchen and transport the finished food to the dining space.
Get organized ahead of time, and make sure you practice cooking in your kitchen space.
You’ll need to hire front-of-house and back-of-house staff for your supper club. You may also want to hire bartending staff if you're serving drinks.
Put together a comprehensive restaurant workflow before your opening night to ensure everything goes smoothly when you’re serving guests.
Now that you’re ready to go, it’s time to start spreading the word so people can buy tickets or book a table at your pop-up kitchen.
Many people use social media to advertise their pop-ups, but it can also be a good idea to set up a basic website with all the information your guests will need — date, time, location, ticket prices, etc.
It’s easy to overlook when planning a pop-up, but setting up an efficient customer ordering system is crucial. You and your staff will have a lot to think about on the night of the event, so make sure you have a plan in place ahead of time.
One good option is to use a tablet as an ordering system. Apps like KioskBuddy let you turn your tablet into an easy-to-use kiosk, allowing customers or front-of-house staff to place food orders and process payments.
If you want to start your own pop-up restaurant, here are four simple tips to help make it a success.
Start spreading the word on social media early: You want as many people to hear about it as possible, so use hashtags and digital content effectively.
Charge a ticket fee: This will prevent last-minute drop-outs and ensure your guests show up.
See what’s trendy: Pop-ups and supper clubs are a great way to try out something new or different. With pop-up restaurants, you can focus on what’s trendy, what’s Instagrammable, and what people might want to do just once. Enjoy creative freedom in your food service!
Do a limited first run: Running a supper club for one night only is a great way to get people excited, as it creates a real sense of exclusivity. A limited run also means less financial risk; think of it as a way of testing if the concept you’ve chosen works well in practice.
From NYC to London, pop-up restaurants are ... well, popping up all over the world. Setting up a pop-up kitchen or running a supper club is a fun — and potentially very lucrative — way of trying something new with your restaurant or food business.
When you start your pop-up restaurant, choose KioskBuddy as your customer ordering service to keep your processes simple. Customers or staff can use a tablet to place and pay for their orders with just a few taps. It’s easy to set up, simple to use, and can be used on the go — so it’s perfect for pop-ups.