XSeries-forum

[quote=""Pete""]Out of interest, where abouts is this chippy? I'm doing a Uni course which has just been transferred to Lancaster so I'll call in and pass judgement on your chips when I'm in next Friday.[/quote]

It is about 8 miles from Lancaster Uni mate but here is the link, you can get the address from there... Fish & Chips

[quote=""Minda""]Would it not be possible to split the current shop in to 2?[/quote]

Not really, it would still have to operate as the same business I think or you would have to get further licences which wouldn't be granted...


Turks.

How about 2 defined sections without the real split?

[quote=""divelab""]Your monopoly status may only last until some other competitor can out-price, out-quality or out-service you. So enjoy that while it lasts, but keep on top of those. That takes care of #1 =)

Customer surveys are always useful, but they need to be handled carefully so you get honest, unbiased feedback.
From what you have mentioned, existing and potential customers either have little choice (due to your monopoly) to shop with you, or actually appreciate in a dedicated way your fish n chips. Both categories would have a section that would approve or disapprove of your new business idea. So that needs to be figured out. Perhaps you may find your traditionally minded customers are no longer traditional. Or vice versa -they remain hard rocking locals![/quote]

The monopoly will last as long as it is sat in a Conservation area. I'm not in anyway complaicent because of the monopoly and I always make sure we are getting the best produce from local businesses to give the customers the best food we can. The BBC have been twice since I have owned it and it also has awards from Seafish and NFFF - repeat custom is my real reward though!

The questions would have to be thought about carefully so to not be biased as you say. I think i'd keep it to a minimum too as I don't want the questions holding customers up - especially when they are hungry. Maybe the Traditionalists wouldn't mind if the Traditional Fish Chips & Peas quality remains the same / improves.


Turks.

[quote=""Minda""]How about 2 defined sections without the real split?[/quote]

This might be an option in a few years when I carry out a full re-design / re-fit of the shop. At the moment the space in the shop is only enough for the one business operation hence why I just wanted to add to the current menu and not to add a separate queue...


Turks.

[quote=""AW8""]I used a very good Fish & Chip shop that seels kebabs & other food too

Link to their website on this clicky (I dont think Adam will mind as your more than far enough away not to be a competition risk).

My advice fwiw would be to do it as a trial & market it as such - This way it doesn't force your hand to continue if you decide against it later. I am sure you may have ideas of desired kitchen equipment & ovens etc & funding for same may or may not be a consideration. To this end it may be worthwhile considering buying liquidated or used equipment if well sourced albeit I am mindful of the obvious pitfalls of buying rubbish.

Type of staff you dispatch is a reflection of you so I would recruit carefully

On a safety level it can be desireable to avoid putting vulnerable delivery staff into bad situations such as delivering to less desireable areas or addresses. This may be larely irrelevant depending on your catchment delivery area.
[/quote]

Thanks for your feedback AW8.

Your local Fish shop looks very good and they seem to offer a good range of food... he seems to have pulled off the combining of the two take-aways very well. Having a restaurant is a huge bonus and something I wish I had with mine.

From your advice, i'm thinking it might be a good idea to introduce the Pizza's without doing any marketing so people aren't made aware that we now do Pizza's etc. Keep this going as a small side line for say 6 months and hopefully people will see that although they are on the menu, the quality of the core product hasn't reduced! Only then, maybe introduce delivery and start marketing it more?

I'm lucky with the people I have and the area it is in... quite a nice place and the staff are nice and friendly too. My brother is running the show at the moment with another manager. I have a couple of people who have said they are happy to do delivering and they are good people so hopefully I won't be in that boat.


Turks.

The best pizza I *ever* had, was from a chippy

I was hungry at the time, but joking apart, it was extremely well made and tasted miles better than Pizza Hut/Dominos etc. He did have a proper pizza oven in the corner of his shop.

I'd say go for it, but if you have a reputation for excellent fish and chips, make sure your pizza is just as awesome. It can be done!

Just a thought Turks - and hopefully not a spanner in the works.

Will you be looking to/or able to extend your opening hours? Unfortunately the town where I live is littered with take aways (I can think of six in an area half the size of a football pitch) but I've used most of them over the years, so I suppose that counts as quality market research
I tend to view pizza's as an evening food and fish & chips as a lunch and an earlier evening food (if you get what I mean). Non of the "standard" fish and chip shops remain open beyond 7pm so that leaves the Chinese Chippys or the Kebab/pizza places to make a healthy living off the drunk.

With this in mind, if you decide to go down the pizza route I think it's important to offer evening pizza delivery (so the need for advertising is definitely there) because I doubt that many people will want or take the time during their lunch hour to wait 10mins+ for a pizza.

Another thought though, if there is a High School nearby and you aim to get trade from there, consider selling pizzas in slices or halves

[quote=""Turks""].........Thanks for your feedback AW8...[/quote] A pleasure

[quote=""Pete""]Just a thought Turks - and hopefully not a spanner in the works.

Will you be looking to/or able to extend your opening hours? Unfortunately the town where I live is littered with take aways (I can think of six in an area half the size of a football pitch) but I've used most of them over the years, so I suppose that counts as quality market research
I tend to view pizza's as an evening food and fish & chips as a lunch and an earlier evening food (if you get what I mean). Non of the "standard" fish and chip shops remain open beyond 7pm so that leaves the Chinese Chippys or the Kebab/pizza places to make a healthy living off the drunk.

With this in mind, if you decide to go down the pizza route I think it's important to offer evening pizza delivery (so the need for advertising is definitely there) because I doubt that many people will want or take the time during their lunch hour to wait 10mins+ for a pizza.

Another thought though, if there is a High School nearby and you aim to get trade from there, consider selling pizzas in slices or halves [/quote]

I wouldn't change the opening hours to start with... I think i'd keep it as is and slowly introduce them. Once everything is settled and working well I would then do Delivery only after we close the Chippy and maybe keep that going until about 10pm (maybe 11pm on Fri and Sat?).

Pizzas would only take about 3-4mins to make too with the equipment I am looking at.


Turks.

What you need is one of these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9U2ekOVL5Q

What is it? I can't get on YouTube from here at work...


Turks.