Why 90 Days Is Enough

It may seem overwhelming, but opening a restaurant doesn’t have to take a year. It just takes 90 days to go from concept to grand opening with the correct planning.

Most individuals end up planning too much and never really getting anywhere with it, from naming, branding, creating a menu, etc. Opening sooner will result in more customers, feedback, and momentum. By emphasizing strategy over gimmick, this blog demonstrates how to open a restaurant in 90 days.

Pick a Name That Works for You

Your restaurant name is your first impression and it sets the tone and shapes expectations. According to Toast, a strong name can make your brand more memorable and help attract the right audience. The name should be easy to remember, easy to spell, and should say something about what you’re offering.

If you want to open a restaurant that people will talk about, your name should help and not confuse your branding and marketing efforts.

Build a Consistent Brand

Branding is more than simply a logo, it’s the perception that customers have of your restaurant. Your voice, fonts, colors, images, and even the appearance of your menu should all feel cohesive.

Your Website, Facebook, Instagram and other social media accounts or even your actual location, should all be cohesive.

Make a basic brand style guide before opening a restaurant to make a statement. Follow it for everything, including internet posts, meals, packaging, and employee uniforms.

💡 Tip: “If your brand feels random or generic, people won’t remember it.”

Launch a Website That Converts Visitors into Guests

Your website should do more than show your operating hours. It should make people want to visit, book a table, or order online.

When creating a website, you should consider these things:

• Fast load time (especially on mobile)
• A clear message about who you are
• Strong photos of your space, food, or renderings
• A call-to-action (Reserve, Order, Contact)
• SEO keywords like “open a restaurant in [city]”

If you’re serious about opening a restaurant, don’t launch without a clean, useful, and mobile-friendly site.

Create Concept Renderings to Sell the Vision

Before you even open your doors, you need to help people “see” your restaurant. High-quality renderings let your idea come to life for early marketing campaigns, investors, and the media. This is especially useful if you’re opening in a brand-new space or renovating an existing one.

Partner with a designer or architect who can create visual mockups of your space, interior layouts, signage, lighting, and seating. These renderings can be used in pitch decks, on your website, and across social media platforms to build hype early.

Think of these visuals as a preview of the customer’s experience. They help people imagine themselves in your space before it’s even built.

Build an Investment Presentation

You’ve got the vision, now you need the money to back it. A pitch deck is your chance to show why your restaurant will succeed. But investors don’t just want to hear passion. They want to see a plan.

Your pitch deck presentation should include:

• Concept and brand positioning
• Menu samples
• Target market and location insights
• Revenue projections
• Startup costs and timeline
• Team bios
• Concept renderings

Use visuals to support your story, but don’t overwhelm with data. Keep your slides simple, clear, and confident.

If you want to open a restaurant in 90 days, your pitch deck needs to show that you’ve done the work. Make them believe this is more than a dream but a smart business move.

Secure Financing and Finalize Legal Requirements

Now it’s time to make things official. Choose the financing strategy that fits your concept and speed. Whether you’re leaning on private investors, small business loans, or crowdfunding, keep everything organized and transparent.

When you open a restaurant, having your financials and legal foundations locked in is what separates a soft launch from a shutdown risk.

Go Live: From Soft Launch to Grand Opening

Once everything is in place, it’s time to open your restaurant.

Start with a soft launch. Invite family, friends, and industry contacts for a trial run. This helps you test your team, adjust service, and fix any issues before the public comes in. Keep it small and focused.

Next, plan your grand opening. This is your official launch and your chance to make a strong impression. Promote the event on social media, your website, and through local press. Offer an opening-week special or a limited-time menu to attract attention.

Make sure to collect content during both events, either photo, videos, and customer feedback. You’ll use this material for future promotions, press releases, and social media.    

When you open a restaurant, your first few weeks matter. A good opening builds word-of-mouth and sets you up for long-term success.

Ready to Launch in 90 Days?

Opening a restaurant in 90 days is about taking action, not waiting for perfection.

Start with a name, brand, and website. Show your concept through visuals. Pitch investors with a strong deck. Get your permits and funding. Then open smart with a soft launch followed by a grand opening.

You don’t have to do it alone.

👉 Ready to Open a Restaurant?
You don’t have to do it alone, contact MAVRK Studio to start building your launch plan today.