Opening a Fish and Chips store !

**Giulio Taranto** · 08-28-2006 12:50 AM

Hello all

I am about to open a fish and chips place in a pretty trendy area.
Id like to hear from you lot what you like to see in a fish and chips place and what you look for when deciding where or what to buy when looking to buy take away food.

Im aiming my market to the under 30's and trying to make it look fresh and appealing. Any thoughts? Id like to get some feedback.

what would you make sure to do if you were in my place when setting up and starting out a new business.

Ive decided to stop TALKING about opening a second store and am now going to just do it ! lets throw some ideas around people

**Nigami Enterprise** · 08-28-2006 01:14 AM

Always have it clean and provide friendly service. So many companies loose customer's through rude staff so make sure your staff are nice and friendly. Often people under 30 like to eat on the go so you will have to be fast as well. Good luck with it let us all know how you go.

Regards Mick

**chem** · 08-28-2006 02:16 AM

Make the place unique. Something that will attract tourist or people passing by. Many people will choose a Tropical theme restaruant over a plain one. Even knowing they may have to spend an extra dollar or two.

Be known for something. Ever vacation I go on with my girlfriend's family there is always a few places they HAVE to go, some being known for their HUGE sandwhichs, others for their sweet BBQ sauce.

Have fun with it and good luck!

**nado** · 08-28-2006 05:07 AM

I know back in high school on Wednesday sports days, just about everyone used to buy chips and slurpies (or slushies).... so definitely have a slurpie machine.

Keep it cheap, and use good quality chips (e.g. I hate those long, skinny, soggy ones and would prefer crispy large chips).

Perhaps make things like salt, chicken salt, gravy, tomato and BBQ sauce free (and customer self serve). As I remember gravy or chicken salt on chips were the go, but the kids used to complain if they got very little chicken salt for example

Maybe a discount system too? ... i.e. a stamp system where each purchase over $x gets a stamp. X number of stamps and you get free chips or something.

Oh, oh... do you guys have deep-fried Mars bars wherever you are? ... they're pretty big here in Aus. It's basically just a Mars bar, that's been deep fried (I'm not sure exactly how they do it and haven't yet tried one but I keep hearing they're great.

cheers
nathan

**shawnman19** · 08-28-2006 09:57 AM

Especially if your in a trendy area you need great presentation. One thing I hate is inconsistantcy in signs, menus, logos, and feel. Pick a color theme and a logo right off the back. Have it look nice, but simple. Have all your menus, signs, and flyers all conform to the color theme and logo. People will identify with this especially in a trendy area, and it shows professionalism.

**henderson** · 08-28-2006 11:43 AM

nado what is chicken salt?

**adamg** · 08-28-2006 01:58 PM

people under 30 are interested in health, maybe use a different type of oil (cant rember the name but it will come back to me) which is healthier than the other oil which is ussually used for fish & chips. Also put music on in the shop.

**4-Knots** · 08-28-2006 04:30 PM

forget about making your take away a nice place to visit. ITs a take away so u don't stay there to eat and admire the decor!! Keep it plain and simple and make your fish and chips the best around. Once u do that, you will have customers always coming back for more.

**jmast** · 08-28-2006 04:45 PM

I agree with adamg, health is important to that group. I realize that fish and chips aren't really healthy, but it might help to have a few healthy substitutions for chips as a side. When people dine in groups, it only takes one health nut to veto a potential place.

**noname** · 08-28-2006 05:42 PM

If u are going to provide seating, then make it paramount to keep the place scumbag-free. Easier said than done, I know. People hanging around outside will deter potential customers. (lots of ppl are afraid of large groups of youths)

Make sure they know that ur shop is not a "hang-out" and that they will be kicked out/moved on if they are loitering inside or outside

**nado** · 08-28-2006 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by henderson

nado what is chicken salt?

haha, wow I didn't realise it was only sold in Australia.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_salt

Looks a bit like this: http://www.mitani.com.au/cs.htm (but usually more yellow in colour)

It tastes great! ... puts regular salt to shame

Originally Posted by adamg

people under 30 are interested in health, maybe use a different type of oil (cant rember the name but it will come back to me) which is healthier than the other oil which is ussually used for fish & chips. Also put music on in the shop.

Olive oil?

.....

So to the original poster... idea arbitrage.

Offer chicken salt and deep-fried Mars Bars and you'll have a mega USP.

And here's some recipes:

http://www.chocablog.com/misc/the-de...ar-experiment/
http://www.recipezaar.com/43463
http://www.getstuffed.info/friedmars.htm

cheers
nathan

**Nigami Enterprise** · 08-28-2006 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by nado

haha, wow I didn't realise it was only sold in Australia.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_salt

I didn't realise it was only sold here to. That could be a pretty good little niche for you, people will keeep coming back for more to get chicken salt on there chips. As soon as you got them hooked in on it they will love it.