Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi everyone,

I am trying to locate Angels/investors that specialize in or are at least willing to consider an investment in a Food/Restaurant business (preferably in California).

We are an early stage startup and have a concept for a new Quick Casual Restaurant chain. Our proof of concept store has been operating for about 18 months now with very good results. We have lots of loyal customers and revenues are growing. We also have a strong management team, incl. top  MBA`s and an industry expert.

Basically we should have all the ingredients that investors are looking for, except that we are in the food industry.

Does anyone know about Angels/Investors that would be interested in looking at such a concept?


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Andreas Koese
Co-Founder Valerie`s Crepes
www.valeriescrepes.com

What level of investment are you seeking Andreas?

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chuck fuller

We are looking for $500k to open more stores and get a franchise going.

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Andreas Koese
Co-Founder Valerie`s Crepes
www.valeriescrepes.com

One can structure a very appealing "deal" to attract funding for a franchising approach - regardless of the industry. Your 18 month history is a great foundation to show that the business is viable and hopefully profitable.

The next step is to validate the potential as a franchise business.

Robert Johnson

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Business Growth Masters, LLC -
Capital Catalysts for Entrepreneurs
Home of the Scalable Business Plan and QuikStart Capital Programs
http://www.bizgrowthmasters.com
info@bizgrowthmasters.com

If you want that kind of capital, you`ll need to demonstrate a very detailed plan.  Financials, profit projections, and market analyses will get you in the door.  What will clinch the funding for a franchise is if you use the prototype businessness you have and create the franchise manual in the style of McDonald`s or Subway.   


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"Forget inspirational quotes to keep you going. If by doing what you do, you get an hour every day to relax, be with the ones you love in comfort without doing wrong, then it is all worth it." -Anon.

akoese-

Are you LinkedIn? If you are I can introduce you to a large network of VC`s. If you are not, please let me know and I will get you in! Best Wishes!

Ken Schroeder~

I often work with people trying to franchise a business.  There are a number of challenges that must be overcome to achieve success in franchising, in my opinion.  The most important is figuring out what makes the business successful and describing that in writing.  Most people identify a franchise by its prodcuts and services, but the key to every successful franchise is systems, procedures and supply agreements that make it easier for someone to operate under your franchise than on there own and be more financially successful with what you can provide than figuring it out for themselves.  I adopted a bit of advice I read in a book that I pass on to all potential franchisors; start keeping a business diary.  Record everything you do in a day.  If your success is based on what you do, then your franchisees sucecc will be based on them doing what you are doing now.  The operating manual for the franchises is critical to your franchisees` succcess.  Another thing you shoudl consider before franchising is opening at least one more location so yo can test whether your systems can be followed by a store manager and whether your current success is dependent on you or on  the way you business is run.

I encourage people to franchise all the time.  I strongly urge them to really be ready to do it, or it will cause you more problems than you can imagine. 

The test to determine whether you are ready to franchise is sit across a conference room table from a person with $25,000 in cash and say "No, I won`t sell you one of my franchises because you do not meet my standards."  If you cannot do that, you should not even consider franchising.

Is there a single "good" place to shop your business plan?  I have a proposal, which I have worked on for a long time now and think it is solid, but am having trouble imagining who I should hand it to.  I`m going to talk with some business and investment brokers and as many local business owners who will listen to me.  Does anyone know if I`m missing anything?

Dear jdwilliams19 -

While many roads lead to Rome - I think what you are "missing" is contained in your question. To wit - we would advise our clients against "shopping" their business plan - both actually and mentally.

Robert Johnson

 

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Business Growth Masters, LLC -
Capital Catalysts for Entrepreneurs
Home of the Scalable Business Plan and QuikStart Capital Programs
http://www.bizgrowthmasters.com
info@bizgrowthmasters.com

Your challenge is...your category.

If you have experience for the past three years in Rest. biz....maybe. You better have a High NetWorth.