“Do you want to make money doing something you love?” It’s a dream many people have. However, Baek Jong-won is firm in his message: “The essence of the food business is taste.” Without good taste, customers won’t return. If the taste is decent but customers still aren’t coming, it means they don’t find it appealing enough.
Baek Jong-won has consistently offered advice to restaurant owners on his shows. His message is simple yet powerful: Think like you’re running your own restaurant and see the problems from the customers’ perspective. When you approach problems this way, the solutions often become surprisingly clear.
Want to Make Money Doing What You Love?
The core of the food business is providing food with high satisfaction relative to its price. This is basic knowledge, but putting it into practice is not easy. While customers enjoy the taste of the food, the service from the owner and staff, along with the restaurant’s atmosphere, must all work in harmony. If not, customers won’t come back.
Baek Jong-won emphasizes that thorough preparation and a customer-focused mindset are essential for running a restaurant. Many restaurant owners he met through his shows over the past four years faced similar challenges. They had to ask themselves why their food wasn’t popular and find the answers.
Choosing a Menu You Can Master Without Burning Out is the Foundation of Business!
When starting a business, choosing the right menu is the biggest concern. Baek Jong-won advises that if you have no experience in business, it’s best to start with a small space. Begin with a simple menu that requires less effort, but make sure to provide unique value to customers.
Many novice entrepreneurs choose their menus without much thought. However, the choice of menu is a critical factor in the success or failure of a business. If a menu becomes boring quickly and customers stop coming, it needs to be reconsidered. Baek Jong-won advises taking sufficient time to prepare before starting a restaurant and gaining experience in unsuccessful restaurants.
Success Secrets of a Bustling Restaurant Can Be Found in a Struggling One
In the early stages of business, it’s natural to feel discouraged if customers aren’t coming in. However, Baek Jong-won stresses the importance of maintaining a positive mindset even in such situations. Analyze the differences between when there are customers and when there aren’t, and identify the causes; solving these problems is the key to success.
The Last Person Standing is Not the Employee but the Owner
Baek Jong-won advises against starting a food business if it doesn’t suit your nature. Running a restaurant requires a completely different experience from working in an office. A restaurant is not an organization but a place that operates through harmony. If the owner doesn’t take the lead, the restaurant can easily fail. Those without experience in business should be especially mindful of this point.
Why Popular Restaurants Lose Their Fame Quickly
Understanding human psychology is ultimately about understanding what consumers want. Baek Jong-won says, “Restaurant management is no different,” emphasizing the importance of identifying the flavors customers crave. Generally, people prefer slightly oily and strong flavors. But taste alone cannot guarantee success. Customers remember a restaurant not just for its food but for the combination of service, atmosphere, price, and other factors.
Conclusion
Through Baek Jong-won’s advice, we can glimpse the secrets to running a successful restaurant. Ultimately, the most important factors are a customer-centered mindset and thorough preparation. Baek Jong-won’s stories offer valuable lessons for anyone dreaming of a successful business. Right now, take a moment to assess how prepared you are for your business. Start taking the first steps to turn your dreams into reality!