Seafood chain restaurants are modifying their menus to address customer concerns in regards to eating a healthy meal. Customers can now choose fish and seafood meals that are baked, broiled or grilled in addition to the “traditional” deep-fried alternatives. To attract as many customers as possible, seafood chains include other menu items such as chicken, to appeal to those individuals who have a seafood allergy or do not care for seafood. By offering non-seafood items, seafood restaurants can attract clientele they would not have because they offer a menu that satisfies the tastes of everyone in the dining party.

Seafood franchises can be appealing to entrepreneurs because the reputation of the restaurant is already established. People know the quality of food and service they will receive when they visit a national seafood restaurant chain versus attending a seafood restaurant business that is not well known, which reduces the level of risk for the entrepreneur. Other seafood chains basics that one must consider include:

1. Researching seafood restaurant chains that are for sale.

2. Selecting a large seafood chain restaurant that has a diverse menu.

3. Securing the funds to purchase your seafood restaurant.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research fast food seafood restaurant chains that are for sale in your target area

Identify seafood restaurant franchises that are for sale. Be careful not to limit your focus on chain seafood restaurants looking to expand in an area. Research the seafood restaurant franchising opportunities for established businesses that are on the market.

I recommend: Franchise Gator provides information that includes the seafood chains basics such as a general overview of the chain, amount of capital required to invest in the franchise, franchise agreement terms and any support you will receive. BizBuySell offers listings of established seafood restaurants that are for sale nationwide and provides information on income potential, number of employees and why the restaurant is for sale.

Select a seafood chain that offers a diverse menu

Attract as many customers as possible by offering a menu not limited to deep-fried fish and seafood. Select a menu that offers baked, broiled, or grilled fish and seafood as well as chicken to satisfy the palates of everyone.

I recommend: Long John Silver’s offers a menu that includes fish, shrimp, clams, lobster bites, chicken and a variety of sides to compliment their healthier option Freshside Grille menu. Captain D’s also offers a varied menu to include several types of fish, shrimp, chicken, pasta, salads and grilled fish sandwiches.

Secure funds to purchase your seafood restaurant

Secure a loan type such as a Small Business Administration (SBA) or other conventional loan type that best suits your business needs. When determining the amount of money you need to borrow, be sure to factor costs such as kitchen equipment, tables, chairs and HVAC systems.

I recommend: Review PNC’s website to research the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other PNC Business Loans to determine which one best suits your needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When locating a site to open your seafood chain, consult a commercial realtor to assist you in finding properties for sale or lease.

Seafood chains are located in cities all over the country. Their menus offer a variety of home-type cooked meals including fresh fish, surf and turf and salads. People like them because they can get a home cooked meal for a reasonable price without having to cook it themselves.

Cash in on seafood restaurant chains by opening your own in your city. Large conglomerates own these chains and franchise them out, so get the scoop on start up costs and other regulations. Decide if you will run it yourself or hire a management team. Look for the following when deciding on franchise terms for seafood chains:

1. Choose seafood chain restaurants and serve healthier meals.

2. Decide how much you want to spend on your seafood restaurants.

3. Select chain seafood restaurants based on name recognition.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check availability and pricing for local seafood franchises

Not every franchise has openings in your area. Once you have decided on a chain, contact them to find out if you can open a store in your area. If they have no need in your local area, they will send you a list of close areas that need a local restaurant. You can also decide on a restaurant chain based on total price or down payment needed. You can check your state to see which restaurant chains have openings.

I recommend: Captain D's offers franchises across the United States. They list the financial and other requirements on the website for your review before beginning the application process. Yum! offers a variety of chains including Long John Silver for franchise. If you meet their requirements, begin the application process.

Ask the seafood restaurant franchises about initial investment

Initial investments for restaurant chains is usually high however, some cost less than others cost. Before you decide, find out exactly what monetary commitments you will need to make upfront. Remember also, that the initial investment for the franchise fee only covers the franchise itself and you will still need working capital for such expenses as electricity, phone and payroll.

I recommend: Boneheads offers franchise opportunities with required capital of $100,000 and an investment of $450,000 to $550,000. Brinker who offers Rockfish Seafood Grill offers franchise opportunities with a net worth in excess of $500,000 and liquid capital of $400,000 per restaurant location.

Open seafood restaurant chains for immediate business

When you open a chain store, you are cashing in on the name of the franchise. People know that whether your store is in Maine or California they will get the same menu and service and they stop at a familiar place. This is why you buy a franchise but the down side is there are tight regulations on franchises. You will get your operating schedule, menu and décor from the company. If you fail to meet your obligations, which usually include buying all of your supplies from them, you will lose your franchise.

I recommend: Food Franchise provides franchises available in every state. You can also check franchise availability based on total price. Look at the operating procedures and other requirements, such as where to buy your supplies before you purchase the restaurant chain of your choice. Find a Franchise provides a list of all available restaurant chains. Check the requirements, such as hours of operation and training before you buy into the business of your choice.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Obtaining financing to start your seafood restaurant business can be a difficult process since many financial institutions consider restaurant franchises high-risk. Improve your loan chances by putting down as much upfront cash as possible. When the bank sees you taking part of the risk, they will give your loan application closer scrutiny.

A training program for employees in your seafood restaurant business should begin with a comprehensive overview of the seafood industry that is geared toward providing specific instruction to employees in certain categories. Chefs for seafood restaurant franchises will need to study cooking and knife techniques while wait staff should learn seafood presentation and terminology.

Once that is accomplished, broaden the focus of the training to the basic skills that employees in any restaurant-whether franchise or not-should know. Internet sources for seafood chains education and training will help you in the following ways:

1. Start training your employees with professional instruction in key seafood terminology and principles.

2. Teach employees to apply the basic techniques they learned in a formal restaurant training program to seafood restaurant chains.

3. Direct employees in the seafood restaurant business to online training manuals written by professionals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Educate employees in basic seafood chains terminology and practices

Kitchen staff will need to learn how to fillet a mackerel. Wait staff should learn how they can explain to patrons what taste they can expect a poached fish to have.

I recommend: London-based Billingsgate Seafood Training School allows you to download educational videos that teach fishmongering skills. Read articles on Seafood Business's web page that identify and explain the goals of training employees in today's seafood franchises.

Have employees complete a professional training program for seafood chain workers

Professionals instruct your employees in how to open restaurants and run the departments that your seafood chain restaurants have.

I recommend: Sign up for the on-site training that Virtual Restaurant offers. Check for updates on formal training programs for the seafood industry that The National Seafood Alliance posts on its website.

Find professional manuals that include instruction for seafood chain employees

Manuals help you provide on the job training that your managers can tailor to the different tasks required of certain employees.

I recommend: Restaurant Resource Group provides manuals that offer step-by-step training for all positions in any type of franchise restaurant. The Wiley Training Manual for restaurant workers sets forth traditional techniques that employees in any franchise or non-franchise restaurant are expected to know.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Seafood chains education and training should focus on the positive rather than the negative treatment employees can expect to receive from their employers and patrons. This helps reduce high employee turnover.
• •  Like other businesses, the success of seafood restaurants depends upon their ability to attract a qualified staff. That's why the proper education and training are vital to providing a high level of customer satisfaction that translates into profits.