Strategizing restaurant renovations with Khan Chacha owner Navneet Kalra

Changing the look and feel of your restaurant is a good idea to keep your restaurant fresh for your customers. However, going ahead with renovations might be a dauting prospect for many. Yes, renovating your establishment will create a more attractive environment, but poorly planned renovations may do more harm than good to your business. So, how does one renovate their restaurant in a way that ensures positive results?

Renovations are no rocket science, but they definitely need great thought and efforts. Several restaurants have renovated and reaped great benefits from the change. One such restaurant is the legendary Khan Chacha in Delhi, whose popularity has increased by multifold in the recent years. We decided to pursue Khan Chacha owner Navneet Kalra to share his tips on strategizing restaurant renovations for maximum benefit. Scroll on to know more:

Time is of the essence

According to Navneet Kalra, just like any other area of business, timing is of great importance while planning to give your restaurant a fresh look. When it comes to restaurant renovations, getting the timing wrong can have devastating effects for your business. There is potential to lose customers, failing to recoup the investment, as well as disrupting an otherwise positive dining experience. Therefore, scheduling right becomes all the more important.

“Always start with a little research. You might think that you have an idea of the right timing since no one else knows your business better than you, but data can help you make the right decision. Consider the daily, weekly and monthly footfall. Assess which time is the busiest for you and which months bring in a period of seasonal slowdown. And if you are constantly busy, consider renovating in stages,” suggests the Khan Chacha owner.

Straighten out the finances

Renovating a restaurant can be an expensive business, which makes strategizing your finances all the more important. According to Navneet Kalra, it is wise to seek advice from a financial manager. “When you decide on transforming your space, it is natural to go on a spending spree and end up splurging all your renovation budget on things that your business didn’t even need. Taking help from a financial manager for a financial strategy can prevent this,” says Navneet Kalra.

Buckle up for the rollercoaster ride

Every restaurant renovation has its periods of ups and downs. Changing your restaurant from what it has always been to what you now visualize it to be is not all unicorns and rainbows. Remodelling can be exciting, but one should be mindful of the factors that might not work too well for you. “Be aware of all the aspects. This is not pessimism; it’s a vital component of a mindful renovation strategy. Always take into account everything that may or may not go wrong,” says Navneet Kalra.