Why A Restaurant Mission Statement Is Important

Whether you’re set to open your new restaurant soon or you’ve been in business for years, having a thoughtful and impactful restaurant mission statement is an important piece of branding. People often want to know that you stand for something more than just serving delicious food (although that’s hugely important as well), but that you have a cause and a goal they can get behind as well. Identifying with the values of your patrons is a great way to ensure repeat business and the feeling of everyone working towards a common good cause.

What Is An Example Of A Mission Statement?

To put it simply: philosophies, competitive edge, brief description and goals of your restaurant. It can be something simple, a few lines or sentences that lay out specific goals and ideals that you and the restaurant stand for. More often than not the mission statement is focused on a particular group of individuals or a cause. For example, a restaurant with a dog loving mission statement will provide dog treats, toys and water to their patron’s dogs outside the restaurant, while at the same time donating to the local shelters and the ASPCA of the area.

This is a well targeted example as after all, who doesn’t like a puppy or dog?

The Point Of A Mission Statement

People feel better when they are part of something greater than themselves, and a good cause can be one of those things. Whether it’s a cause of fighting breast cancer, autism, or global warming for example, it gives patrons a feeling of helping a community while at the same time eating great food.

Write Your Mission Statement

It doesn’t have to be too difficult or time consuming to write a mission statement, either on your own, or with your partners and staff. You’ll want to do a few key things:

1. Think and Discuss

Is there any causes you find near and dear to your heart? Maybe you have a grandparent who suffered from Alzheimer’s or maybe you’ve seen the benefit in good after school programs for the community. Do your employees or partners have any causes they find important? What about your local community, such as putting an end to violence or improved recycling. Supporting and sponsoring your community sports teams, offering discounts on their meals, buy their uniforms and promote exercise for 60 minutes.

2. Do Some Soul Searching and Research

You may also want to research your local area and find out what sort of community services are in need of support. Combine ideas and look into your clientele, is there local causes that people find important? Who is the goal intended for? How can you satisfy this demand? Why did you go into the restaurant business in the first place? Are you’re goals different than your competitors and how?

Get feedback from partners, staff, locals, and your patrons as to what they think about the goal and focus of the mission.

3. Only Causes?

Missions statements also don’t have to be limited to a specific cause, it can be completely molded around your food and delivery.

4. Don’t…

– Be too long winded or use words that don’t make practical sense. Be specific and clear.
– Be too general in a way that it could be copy and pasted seemingly on any other restaurant or business.

Great Mission Statement Examples

Farm To Table – sourcing only the finest seasonally available ingredients from farms within a one hour drive. Ensuring that every delicious bite reduces carbon footprints and supports the local farm community.

Family Friendly – fun for you and all of the family! Great food for any age and any occasion.

Vegetarian/Vegan – reducing animal cruelty one vegetable at a time. Our unique vegetarian and vegan menu will change even the biggest carnivore’s mind about what it means to eat clean.

A well thought out and meaningful restaurant mission statement is a great way to really make your restaurant stand out above your competitors and offer your patrons a clear objective before sitting down to eat. Pool ideas and information from your partners, staff and clientele and you’ll see why a powerful mission statement makes a difference to your restaurants energy and focus.