A Little Help

[cholowich]

Hi!
I am currently a senior at Syracuse University majoring in Entrepreneurship. For our senior project we must come up with a business concept and create a business plan. We have chosen to become a bar consulting firm that will help a bar with the different problems that they can encounter when trying to open a bar. I was wondering if any of you out there could help me out with a few things:
-If you are a new bar owner, would you use this type of service, and if you did how much would you be willing to pay?
-The turnover rate for new bars
-The failure rate for bars
-Problems you have encountered when trying to open a bar
-Anything else that you would like to let us know in order to tailor a business that would meet your needs

Thanks!
cholowich

[David]

Well you've come to the right place.

Q1 answer: Sure I would use this type of business (I do consult in the business. I usually charge by the hour, but have done work on a case by case basis).

Q2 answer: The turnover or success/fail rate depends on too many different variables. If you have a good plan and pay attention to detail, you can go on for years. Some people open clubs to only be in business for a few short years. They refer to these as Slow Burn or Fast Burn respectively.

Q3 answer: There are a myriad of problems that can and will arise. As for what they are, you will only know when they happen.

In closing, you might ask a few of your local clubs these questions and compile your information from there. If you have a list of other questions, post them and we'll help you out.

[bobbyg]

we are real close by utica ny ... the biggest problems are city codes....police.....abc board... and small town politics ....
i have done some partys for syracuse university, utica, colgate, morrisville state, ect...................call bobbyg [315] 724 3447 or check out my site:
bobbygsclubwarehouse.tripod.com

just copy and paste do not put www. or @ no spaces....

[Club Security]

Good choice cholowich,

David said it…you have come to the right place. Like David, I am a consultant. My expertise is within the security side of the operation within the nightclub, bar or restaurant.

I wanted to say something regarding your question. I have talked about this in every one of my training sessions. I push as hard as I can for employees, especially management and owners, to be Pro-Active instead of Re-Active.

What I am talking about is exactly what you are doing now; asking questions and trying to solve the problems before they occur. All managers should look at the operations of the club or bar and think what could go wrong. Then, evaluate their everyday practices to see if they have done anything to prevent the problem.

If there are any questions that I may be able to assist with just post and I will answer.

Now, I feel I need to address the prior comment by bobbyg. He said he was near you and that "… the biggest problems are city codes....police.....abc board... and small town politics …”

I think this statement, taken as is, is not correct.

Perhaps the biggest problems are the over service of alcohol or service of alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons or letting in 500 customers instead of the 350 allowed or having narcotics used in the club or parking lot or not really screening a fake or borrowed identification or … anything.

Laws are made and enforced to keep people safe. People that are in nightclubs or bars want to be safe and have a good time. If the rules or laws are bent, broken or ignored you will most definitely have Code Enforcement Agents, Law Enforcement, Fire Inspectors, State Beverage Control Agents and local politicians after your liquor license.

Good luck,

Nightclub Security Consultants

[David]

Everybody is correct.

I've found that if you live and do business according to the laws set forth, you shouldn't have any trouble. Now, some markets could be different but we really have a good working relationship with our local peace officers and the city.

If we were to become a constant nuisance, I'm sure that the PD would soon become our worst enemy. Laws are meant to be followed and respected by all of us. This is the only way that a society with bars and churches and everything in-between can co-exist.

If you have a safe and mostly peaceful atmosphere in your establishment, you will have a more respectful and understanding crowd.

Just my opinion.

[bobbyg]

What David said is true. We all try to do things right. Follow the rules and regulations. All the rules vary from state to state as being born in NY State and being in the bar and nightclub scene all my life I have seen many things happen to bars who did things right and bars who did things wrong. I have seen(bar stings) where the cops try to entrap bar owners by sending in minors that look like they are in their thirtys...Kind of sounds like the Delorne sting. I have found out you can go by the rules, but small town politics : someone on the board or someone with pull
and the police will harrass you and your patrons. I know at least 50 CNY bar owners and they will tell you the same thing. The bar business is not what it use to be and probably never will. Do to the new bullshit laws that they put into effect, hell, if you're 18 you can go to war for your country and they will trust you with machine guns, grenades, tanks, fighter jets worth over a billion dollars, but they won't trust you with a one dollar can of beer in your hand.............yes it is crazy......you can follow rules to a tee and still have a ton of problems it all has to do with your location your patrons, how you run your business, who you know, your biggest problem is jealous people with political power. And yes Utica is only 50 miles from Syracuse I go out to the bars and clubs frequently to stay in touch with the scene. I like the Country Club out there. Someone like David, a consultant, knows how a club should be run on paper do everything right and no problem this is where I disagree everything is not fair........ if everyone was treated the same way it would be it all comes down to who you know and who you don't know.....

Peace Bobbyg

[David]

Cholowich:

How's your project coming along?