Fish & Chips
Everything you need to open a shop!
How to: Opening a Fish & Chip Shop
8 of 10 Australian's live within 50km of the ocean.
It's no wonder then that fish and chips have endured as a staple dish in just about every Australian town. Like so many other parts of Australian society, fish and chips are a multicultural influence that caters to a wide audience. Did you know the (often credited) first fish and chip shop in Australia opened in 1879 on Sydney's Oxford Street? There are now over an estimated 4,000 fish and chip shops on our shores, playing a crucial role in popularising the takeaway experience.
Are you thinking of opening a Fish & Chip Shop?
Here are the most important aspects of starting a Fish & Chip Shop.
- Location
- Writing a Business Plan
- Finding Suppliers
- Design & Fitout
- Council Approvals
- Choosing Equipment
- Payment Methods - financing
- Regulations
- Naming/Branding
- Hiring Staff
1. Location
When talking about a business, a common phrase you'll come across is 'Location, Location, Location.' You'll want to start by thinking about the type of food you'll be selling, and what the style will be. Once you know your customers better, it'll be easier to find a suitable location for your new shop. Fast Food & Takeaway is often positioned towards the 15-35 age range, a spontaneous crowd that is often connected to another activity like visiting the beach, or an evening out with friends. You're going to want a typically lower income area, which still sees high foot traffic and density.2. Writing a Business Plan
Even the smallest business can benefit from a business plan. It allows you to communicate your vision to others and help persuade them to meet your goals. It includes market research, strategies, target audiences, staff, obstacles and direction. There are lots of tools online to help you get started with your business plan: https://www.business.gov.au/planning/business-plans/writing-a-business-plan/how-to-write-a-business-plan3. Finding Suppliers
Getting the right partners in business is crucial to your success. At CSS we've developed partnerships with manufacturers around the world to give you access to the tools for success. Take advantage of our 45 years of experience with real practical knowledge. Receive information on new products, get the most competitive prices and take the stress out of maintaining 15 different suppliers, CSS does it all for you.4. Design & Fit-out
The first step when designing or building new food premises or to make changes to an existing one is to develop or obtain existing plans. This allows the local government to assess the proposed premises before construction or fit-out commences. A site plan, floor plan, sectional elevation drawing to show all fittings and equipment, hydraulic plans for plumbing and a mechanical exhaust ventilation drawing.Included on the plans needs to be specifications to allow appropriate assessment, think finishes to floors, walls and ceilings. The layout of all equipment, benches, fixtures and fittings. Door and window openings. Where seating is provided for diners, the number of square metres of floor space available for dining and the number of persons to be catered for in this area. Customer and staff bathroom facilities. And a process flow showing the product received through to end-product delivered.
When opening a business, it is often the planning phase that gives new business owners the most trouble. The amount of expertise and knowledge required to effectively prepare all these documents is often overwhelming and most entrepreneurs seek help from professionals like CSS. It might be worth considering a complete turnkey service. CSS can manage the entire project lifecycle from site selection and design through to statutory approvals and procurement while managing costs and analysis, taking away the headache of starting a new business.
5. Council Approvals
The plans required for design & fit-out are only a part of the overall council approval process. Each local council and state government comes with a different set of approval guidelines. These might include:- Food Business License
- Food Safety Supervisor Notification
- Council Inspection
- Commercial Character Building
- Planning Approval
- Building Approval
- Parking
- Advertising
The wealth of industry knowledge and practical experience at CSS can give your business an advantage in this approval process. Ask us how your vision can become a reality at a below-industry standard fee.
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AUD $ 90.00 -
AUD $ 31.79
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AUD $ 225.06
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AUD $ 0.00
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AUD $ 3,580.50
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AUD $ 21.18
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AUD $ 3.08
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AUD $ 181.50 AUD $ 144.99
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AUD $ 79.81
6. Choosing Equipment
A typical Fish & Chip Shop requires commercial equipment to prepare meals effectively. In addition to helping you build and design your new shop, CSS can help you stock your kitchen at the most competitive prices. As a trusted supplier to the quick-service restaurant and greater-food industry, our global partnerships will get you ready for customers at a lower cost to you.You’ll need:
- Large fridges – for keeping fish fresh, these range in sizes depending on your needs,
- Deep Fryer – A staple in every Fish & Chip Shop,
- A Grill or Stove – For non-deep-fried items,
- Chip Scuttle – A hygienic unit for storing freshly made chips,
- Potato Peeling Machine – For peeling the mass of potatoes for chips a machine can lift some of that burden,
- Batter Mixer – To mix the large quantities of batter you’ll need,
- Heated food display – To display freshly fried fish and other produce to customers,
- Storage Freezer – A large storage freezer is essential for all of the fresh fish and produce you’ll need to keep backed up,
- Utensils & smallwares – Think scoops, tongs, knives, salt and vinegar bottles,
- Scrap bin – To dispose of any unwanted or unsuitable scraps and to help you keep the workspace clean and tidy,
- Food storage bins – It's important you date your food and ensure it stays at consistent safe temperatures,
- Point of Sale systems – To process sales/orders,
- Storage Shelving/Racks – Dunnage racks & shelving can make organising your produce easy, think about how you will store all of your tools, equipment and food.