Question about a resteraunt?

Question

I got this idea about opening a resteraunt that served low carbed food for diabetics. It would be serve low calorie, low carbs and low sodium foods. People with celtics disease or diabetes or high blood pressure or just a health consious person could eat there and know they were eating well. I would make the prices affordable and the food would be awesome. Do you think this would be a good idea for a resteraunt?

Answer 1

I would love to go to a place that has healthy and tasty food that is affordable.

Answer 2

I think it is a wonderful idea. People would not have to compare and select the entree that is the healthiest because they all would be healthy.

Price wise, I think everything costs so much now adays that you may just have to have a different entree each day instead of the menu of items a restaurant has.

There used to be a lunch bar down the street that on Monday they only served roast beef w/potatoes, carrots and a roll.

On Tuesday it was Lasagna w/ small salad and a roll. That kept the cost down by not having to throw away anything because nothing went bad. When they ran out of food, they closed until the next day.

Answer 3

The idea itself is fantastic.  I don't want to be a buzz killer.  The plan could suffer drawbacks.  Let's pretend you're up and running.  A 'customer' ate at your establishment in the evening.  They went to a movie after.  Their "diet coke" refills, were the regular type.  A fault of the movie theatre.  After the ambulance ride, and hospital stay overnight, they'll blame you!!  Food for thought.  Even if it didn't cost you a nickel out of pocket, the bad publicity would be devistating.

Answer 4

Good idea for a larger city, not a small town.

Answer 5

Are you talking about Celiacs disease?  And sure, it would be a great idea.  You may not be able to keep prices as reasonable as you think because eating healthy is pricey (sad but true).

Good luck in your endeavors!

Answer 6

It sounds good, but perhaps too restrictive.  Expand that idea a little.  Good eats - but offer that low cal, low carb/sodium as an alternative.  My husband is quite thin - he wouldn't want that low carb diet.  I would however.  What about making it where there is something for everyone.  I mean, healthy recipies that could be adjusted to your needs or requirements.  Such as giving choices if they want that burger a low carb version or low sodium etc.  They could specify.  Something for everyone.  My husband could eat a healthy burger, but have the regular cheese on it and you could make mine low fat, low carb etc.  Variety.  Choices.  Call it Choices Restaurant.

Answer 7

that would be so awesome!!!! i was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 2 weeks ago, and it's really hard to go out for dinner and try to find something that i can eat, other than salads.

one of the issues i have been having is the carb thing, but sugar free as well, or even the "no sugar added" and stuff sweetened with splenda.

a lot of people dont realize that carbs turn to sugar in the body, your idea holds merit, and i wish you the best of luck!!!!

Answer 8

Depends if you have an area where you could market and sell an idea like this.  If it was reasonably priced, I think it would be a great idea....especially in larger cities and areas with demographics of older people and large teaching hospitals and specialty clinics for the types of diseases you listed......price, location and advertising will be very important to make it work

Answer 9

How about combining well cooked organic food alongside the specialist stuff so those without any health-related dietary needs could eat with those who do need specialist food? Don't think it would be possible to do it very cheaply though. Best quality food has the highest prices.

Answer 10

Good luck.  No it won't work, because you are only targeting a small group of people.

Answer 11

A friend of mine worked at a place just like that. To use the good ingredients, the prices had to be a little higher than average and no one wanted to eat there.

Answer 12

My family and I often go out to eat together, but we run into trouble in finding a place we can eat together do to our diverse food needs. For example, my sister is a vegitarian with egg allergies, my grandmother is a diabetic, and my aunt is a "health nut". And so, we find that not everyone can be satisfied with one eating place. Finding diversity in foods at one restaurant is often difficult.

In short, I think you have a good idea here. In my restauranting endeavors I have seen places like this either bloom or bust. There seems to be several important reasons. Firstly location, if there aren't any people around to eat your food you can't sell. This type of food is popular in city centers, but is also gaining popularity in suburbs. Secondly good service, I have been to too many restaurants with excellent food and one waiter or waitress to a dozen or so tables. Finally diversity, as I described my predicament above, alot of restaurants tend to be too narrow in their food selection. If you could solve the problem eating out that my family has, you would probably do better than most similar establishments.

Answer 13

I tihnk a restaurant with these things but also some food for the companions along with the person might be better.  I prefer low carb but my husband doesn't need to eat low carb so he doesn't.  to go some place like this i'd have to go alone unless there were some food items just for him.  I think it would be a welcome switch to see all this healthy stuff on a menu then instead of having a small diet section like other restaurants you could flip that concept and have a section with regular food and call it "non-restrictive delights" or "artery blockers" or something catchy.

Answer 14

GO FOR IT

Answer 15

I would open a restaurant and have food on the menu that covered all these conditions and food for people who want full flavored full seasoned dishes.

You can put on the heart logo for heart healthy dishes.  I was just looking up nutrition information at Outback, and they have a list of the regular items that are suitable for each of these health conditions.

We are always told that great food can also be healthy.  You just have to make sure you have great food that covers the whole gamut of health problems but everyone likes to eat and you'll do well.

Carry sugar free, caffein free soda pop and desserts for diabetics.  My friend can rarely find these things I consider normal.

Answer 16

I think this would be a great idea, because it's always the same ol thing.

Answer 17

You've already received a lot of good suggestions; but there are additional factors you'll probably need to consider.  You'll need to: 1. check with local authorities, Chambers of Commerce, retail restauranteurs' association, dietary departments of senior centers, hospital and nursing home, etc., to more fully assess the potential need for such a restaurant as you are proposing, i.e., do some market research; 2; find out if and where you can obtain sufficient start-up funding/financing for your restaurant; 3. find some good and reliable suppliers, of the foodstuffs you'll need; 4. make sure you either have the expertise and/or the culinary, bookkeeping and managerial skills you'll need for such an establishment, or be able to hire and pay the necessary personnel; 5. be able to find or build a facility to house your restaurant; make sure you fully understand the dietary needs of potential customers who have diabetes, high blood pressure, Crohn's Disease, celiac disease(I think you mean), vegetarians, vegans, people with allergies to eggs, peanuts, milk products and certain other foods, etc.

As others have already said, accomodating family members and friends of your target clientele would be a crucial factor in your success; but I believe the biggest challenge you face is that of making your prices reasonably affordable, while still realizing a reasonable profit!

I wish you all the best in your endeavors!