restaurant Market & Competitor Analysis

Restaurant market and competitor analysis

Starting a restaurant can be a daunting task. Not only do you have to worry about the food and service, but you also have to think about things like marketing and competition. In this article, we'll give you tips on how to do market and competitor analysis for your restaurant. Having a good understanding of the market will help you make sound business decisions and give you an edge over the competition. So, let's get started!

Business Competitor: Definition

1. What is a business competitor 

What is a business competitor

In business, a competitor is a company that offers similar products or services as your own business. Competitors are usually vying for the same customer base, which can make it difficult to gain market share.

To succeed in a competitive market, businesses need to offer products or services that are differentiated from their competitors. This could mean offering a unique feature, a more competitive price point, or superior customer service. It's also important to stay up-to-date on industry trends and developments, as well as your competitors' marketing strategies. By keeping tabs on the competition, you can adapt your own strategies to stay ahead of the game.

 

1.1 What is a Competitor Analysis?

Competitor analysis is an essential tool for any business looking to gain an edge in their industry. By taking a close look at what your competitors are doing, you can learn from their successes and avoid their mistakes.

Additionally, a competitor analysis can help you identify potential areas of opportunity. For example, if your competitors are focused on one particular market, you may be able to gain a foothold by targeting another market that they are overlooking.

Ultimately, a competitor analysis provides invaluable insights that can help your business grow and thrive.

How To Do Market Research

2. Market research for a restaurant 

Market research for restaurant

The process of opening a new restaurant can be daunting, but thorough market research can help ensure a successful launch.

The first step is to identify the target market for the restaurant. Who will the restaurant appeal to? What are their demographics? Once the target market has been defined, it's important to research the competition. What other restaurants are nearby? What do they offer? How does their pricing compare to what you're planning to charge? Next on our list is the location of the restaurant. Is it easily accessible? Is there adequate parking? Is it in a busy area with high foot traffic? Once these factors have been considered, you'll have a better idea of what your restaurant needs to offer to be successful.

There are a variety of methods that businesses can use to conduct market research:

  • Competitive assessments involve studying the strategies and practices of businesses in the same industry to gain insights into how to improve one's own performance.
  • Focus groups involve bringing together a small group of people for a moderated discussion about a product or service.
  • Online surveys are another popular option for collecting data from customers and potential customers.

By understanding the different options available, businesses can choose the method or methods that best fit their needs and budget.

 

2.1 The importance of Market Analysis

A market analysis is an essential component of a business plan. It provides an overview of the industry in which the business will operate, as well as the current landscape. This information can be used to create a marketing strategy that will help the business achieve its goals. The market analysis should include a description of the target market, an evaluation of the competition, and a SWOT analysis. This information will provide a roadmap for the business as it seeks to establish itself in the market. With a comprehensive understanding of the market, the business can develop a plan to achieve success.

 

2.2 Market Analysis for A Restaurant: an Example

The restaurant industry is one of the most competitive industries in the world. In order to be successful, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the market in which you are operating. This market analysis will provide an overview of the restaurant industry in the United States, with a focus on the casual dining segment.

It is estimated that there are over 1 million restaurants in the United States, employing over 15 million people. The total revenue for the industry is expected to reach $799 billion in 2020. The casual dining segment accounts for around 43% of the total restaurant industry revenue. The two largest players in this segment are Chili's and Olive Garden, with combined revenues of over $8 billion.

The casual dining segment has been growing at a steady rate over the past few years, despite overall declines in restaurant traffic. This is due to a number of factors, including an increase in disposable income and a shift in consumer preferences towards casual dining options. Casual dining restaurants are expected to continue to outperform the overall restaurant industry in the coming years.

This market analysis has provided an overview of the restaurant industry in the United States, with a focus on the casual dining segment. It is clear that this segment offers significant opportunities for growth and profitability. As such, it should be a key focus for any restaurant business looking to expand its operations in the United States.

 

2.3 Studying Your Local Market

Before opening a restaurant, it is essential to conduct a thorough market analysis to understand the local competition and potential customer base. By understanding the market, restaurant owners can make informed decisions about menu offerings, pricing, and promotions.

To conduct a market analysis, restaurant owners should first define the scope of the market. For example, the market might be defined by geographical boundaries, such as a city or county. Once the scope of the market has been defined, restaurant owners can begin to collect data on the local competition. This data can be gathered through online research, phone calls, or in-person visits. Additionally, market data can be collected from government agencies or trade associations. Once the data has been gathered, it should be analyzed to identify trends and patterns.

Based on this analysis, restaurant owners can make informed decisions about how to position their business in the market.

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Know your rivals

3.  Understanding your competitors

Studying competition

3.1 Studying the competition

Before opening a restaurant, it is important to understand the competitive landscape. What other restaurants are in the area? What do they specialize in? What are their strengths and weaknesses? By understanding your competitors, you can develop a strategic plan for how to position your own restaurant. For example, if there is already a popular Italian spot in the neighborhood, you might consider opening a Thai restaurant. Or, if the local pizzerias all use lower-quality ingredients, you could focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients in your own pies.

By studying your competition, you can develop a unique selling proposition that will help your restaurant stand out from the crowd.

Restaurant outdoors

3.2 Direct and Indirect Competitors

Understanding your direct and indirect competitors is essential to developing an effective business strategy.

Direct competitors are those businesses that offer the same products or services as you do.

Indirect competitors, on the other hand, are those businesses that offer products or services that satisfy the same need as your business does, even if they are not identical.

For example, if you sell pet food, your direct competitors would be other pet food brands. However, your indirect competitors could include companies that sell human food, since some people may choose to feed their pets table scraps instead of buying pet food. By understanding both your direct and indirect competitors, you can develop a more comprehensive approach to marketing and sales. As a result, you will be better positioned to attract and retain customers.

Competitor reputation

3.3 Considering Competitors' Reputation

As a small business owner, it's important to stay up-to-date on the reputation of your competition. Not only will this give you an idea of how customers perceive your competition, but it can also help you to identify any potential areas of opportunity.

To get started, try conducting a Google search for your competitor's name. This will bring up any news stories or blog posts that mention them. You can also check out review sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor to see what customers are saying.

Once you have a good understanding of your competitor's reputation, you can start brainstorming ways to differentiate your own business. With a little effort, you can ensure that your business is the one that customers think of first.

Analyzing market strategies

3.4 Analyze Competitors' Market Strategies

When trying to assess the marketing strategy of competing restaurants, there are a few key things to look for. First, consider what kind of food the restaurant serves and how it prices its dishes. Then, take a look at the restaurant's branding and advertising. Are the colors and style of the logo and ads consistent? Is the message clear?

Finally, try to visit the restaurant during peak hours to see how well it handles customer traffic. By taking all these factors into account, you should be able to get a good sense of each marketing strategy. After analyzing your competitors’ strategies, you can smartly take the following actions to be more decisive with clear vision.

Stay Ahead of The Game

4. Gain competitive advantage for your restaurant

4.1 Identify your Target Market

The first step in building a new business is to identify your target market. This is the group of people who are most likely to buy from you. Whatever you sell, there will be a specific group of consumers who want it and will pay for it. You can find this out by doing some research online, talking to potential customers and competitors, as well as conducting focus groups.

 

4.2 Define your Product or Service Offering

Once you’ve identified your target market, you need to define what exactly it is that makes them tick. What do they want? How can you provide it? What are their needs and desires? If you don’t know these things, no amount of marketing will help your business succeed.

 

4.3 Create An Effective Marketing Strategy

You’ll need a marketing strategy that resonates with a strong customer need and one that addresses each member of the target market individually through various channels (e-mail, print media ads etc.). The goal here is to reach as many people as possible with compelling messages about why they should buy from you instead of someone else who offers similar products or services at lower prices but without all the added value.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

5. Qualitative and Quantitative Market Research for your restaurant  

Qualitative market research

When it comes to market research, there are two main approaches: qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitative market research involves gathering data that is non-numerical in nature, such as customer interviews and focus groups. This type of research is typically used to gain insights into customer attitudes and behavior.

Quantitative market research, on the other hand, relies on numerical data. This might include surveys, data from customer transactions, or even public opinion polls. This type of research is often used to measure customer satisfaction or track changes in market share.

Both qualitative and quantitative market research have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to choose the right approach for your specific needs.

How To Get More Customers

6. EXPANDING YOUR Restaurant CUSTOMER BASE

Restaurants are always looking for ways to increase their customer base and grow their business.

One way to do this is to open new areas of opportunity. This can be done by expanding the restaurant's hours of operation, offering new and unique menu items, or adding additional services such as delivery or catering. By doing this, restaurants can attract new customers and keep existing customers coming back for more. Additionally, opening new areas of opportunity can help to increase profits and overall growth for the restaurant.

So, if you're looking for ways to take your restaurant to the next level, consider opening new areas of opportunity. It could be just what you need to boost your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

7. FAQ - RESTAURANT MARKET & COMPETITOR ANALYSIS 

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