Need your advice for opening small fast food restaurant (Denver: dermatology, how much)

[lee24]

Hi everyone.

I and my husband are planning to move to Denver, Colorado and open fast food type of restaurant.
It will be kind of fusion style small fast foods. ( Asian(Korean) + Western)
The reason we chose CO is that we like liberal atmosphere , nice people who are open to any type of foods, not to mention beautiful nature.
We're trying to narrow down places to settle down and start our small business.


(1) Which city in Denver would be the best fit for fusion style of fast-food restaurant? We've never been to Denver, so no idea which place is nice to start our business and settle down. It doesn't have to be super downtown area as long as there are traffics around, and people commute, and would be great if there are some schools, companies so we can attract people to come down to try our foods.


(2) As a female, I'd like to know whether I can find some hospitals easily - gyne, dermatology, dental .
Is it easy to find these clinics anywhere in Denver? This is important to me, so please let me know.

(3) My husband is also considering Fort Collins/ Springs, which are smaller size city, but I'm afraid that it may not be convenient due to above reason ( finding some hospitals) , or less demand for our foods. Of cos I'm fully aware these two places are so gorgeous towns! Need your objective opinion.


Hope to hear from you lots of advice ! Thanks a lot!

[Mike from back east]

Not much about Colorado Springs that I'd call liberal.

Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver are the liberal areas where such an eatery might work.

[Indigo Cardinal]

Very recently, the corner of Mississippi and Peoria in Aurora (suburb of Denver), Colorado revamped itself with a Pacific Ocean supermarket and a number of Asian restaurants in the same strip mall. There is a significant Asian population in the area (enough that the guy behind the revamp felt it was worth the financial investment to 'centralize' it.)

That same area is also very close to a number of hospitals/medical offices.

[flyingcat2k]

I do feel the need to mention this but have you looked at rental/lease rates for restaurants in Colorado? If it is anything like the housing and warehouse market, it is pretty high. I would strongly recommend getting some rate quotations before you up and move.

If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend watching Restaurant Startup on CNBC. It opened my eyes to the things that go into a successful restaurant.

Korean fusion isn't new. We have two in Tulsa and seem to be doing well (ie. Open more than 6 months).

[davebarnes]

I think Oregon or Washington would be better.

[davidv]

The Korean part of town is in Aurora. It is mostly centered around Havana St and Peoria St. north of Hampden

There is a larger population of Indians and Chinese in the area as well.

I cannot comment on the demand for such a restaurant.

I would spend time with a restaurant consultant to find out if a market for your restaurant exists, where the best location might be, and how much money would be needed to start up a place and put it into a position to succeed.

It might be just me, but asking a few strangers on an internet forum does not seem like market research.

Good luck.

[lee24]

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

1) Actually, it's kinda fusion food, but way closer to western food, so we don't have to be located in Korea town or so.
Other than Aurora, which part of Denver would be great for fast food type restaurant? It shouldn't be sleepy town, it should be with some traffic, not crazy expensive rental, and can attract people nearby. I know it's a bit vague to say, but we both never been to CO so need your advice !

2) Anybody can introduce some restaurant consultant to us? It would be so great!

Thanks!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

What exactly is Asian/Western fusion? Do you have some examples?

Do you know what demographic you are looking to attract? I see that you are also considering Corvallis/Eugene Oregon and Olympia/Tacoma Washington. It looks like you got some good advice in the Washington forum.

What is your business plan? Have you looked into the costs of running a restaurant?

Have you considered a food truck versus a storefront?

[Mike from back east]

On the TV show, Food Truck Revolution, on the Cooking Channel, last night, there was a segment on Koi Fusion food truck in Portland.

The OP might be better off doing a food truck eatery as that trend seems to be growing.

This youtube video has the Koi Fusion segment.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnF4Pxjjko8

[MissTerri]

I don't have any advice but I think your restaurant would do great here and I hope you come here. Neighborhoods like Baker and Highlands some to mind as good locations. South Broadway, E Colfax. There are tons of locations that could work well for you.