Start New Business in Sarasota/Siesta Key? (Fruitville, Bee Ridge: transplants, house)

[uglydork]

I visit Siesta Key 2-3 times a year and fell in love with the area. We cant get enough. I live in Buffalo New York and I am thinking of opening a Pizza and Wing joint in Sarasota. I am thinking of a place near Tijuana Taco, they seem to get a lot of traffic.
Am I missing something or are there no Pizza/Wing places in Sarasota?
How well do businesses do in this area?
Any business people with some input would help me make an educated decision.

Thank you all. The high here this week has not been over 68 by the way.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by uglydork

I visit Siesta Key 2-3 times a year and fell in love with the area. We cant get enough. I live in Buffalo New York and I am thinking of opening a Pizza and Wing joint in Sarasota. I am thinking of a place near Tijuana Taco, they seem to get a lot of traffic.
Am I missing something or are there no Pizza/Wing places in Sarasota?
How well do businesses do in this area?
Any business people with some input would help me make an educated decision.

Thank you all. The high here this week has not been over 68 by the way.

I think you're talking about Tijuana Flats?

Re: Wing/Pizza Places
All the major pizza chains offer pizza & wings, that may be one reason you don't just see them. We have Hooters a couple miles South of Bee Ridge; they have the wing business going strong.

I'm not in the restaurant business but just watching a lot of them close right now due to lack of snowbird activity as well as lack of $ for dining out in general....

Anyone else?

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by uglydork

I visit Siesta Key 2-3 times a year and fell in love with the area. We cant get enough. I live in Buffalo New York and I am thinking of opening a Pizza and Wing joint in Sarasota. I am thinking of a place near Tijuana Taco, they seem to get a lot of traffic.
Am I missing something or are there no Pizza/Wing places in Sarasota?
How well do businesses do in this area?
Any business people with some input would help me make an educated decision.

Thank you all. The high here this week has not been over 68 by the way.

I think if you have the right area and product, and you have experience you will do fine. I know that Northern visitors and transplants like good, authentic N.Y. pizza. Wing joints are quite common, as LadywithaFan pointed out.

People appreciate a unique, non-chain place, so if you can do something to make yours stand out I believe you can be successful.

Good luck to you!

[Carbondated]

If you like a challenge, then go for it.

Remember, a quarter of restaurants close in the first year. Within three years, 60% are closed.

It's a tough market here right now. Even during the tourist season, only once did we have to wait for a table. It's unfortunate, but some really great restaurants are closing their doors too.

But, like I said, if you are up for the challenge, then go for it.

[ShepsMom]

We have a really nice pizzeria not far away from my house on Fruitville. Private owner, awesome pizza.

I can't stand chain Pizza places, they are plain disgusting. I will only buy pizza from Mom&Pop places, which we don't have enough, hence, i don't eat pizza much.

So, when you open your place, give me a holler, i'll be first one for a good pie!!

[Edvard]

I have people in the family that bring home over $200K a year on ice cream and pizza. The trade-off is stress and hours.

[Oobie119]

I agree that it is going to be tough, you have a lot of competetion from the local pizza chains, not to mention chains in the area like Hooters, Buffalo Wild Wings and the WIng House.. They key would be to make your place stand out-- offer something they don't offer.. my idea, a play area for kids? Like McDonalds, keep it very family oriented since many of the places are geared for the beer drinkers..

[Big House]

There are some things that are not prominent. There are no good open pit beef sandwich places, which are similar to a good beef on a wick sandwich places. Most people don't know what that is or how to really make them well. They have caught on to how to do Buffalo wings - I was surprised. There are a lot of good beer / food places.

They dont have Zweigle (sp) hot dogs.

Siesta Key is really awesome! Serve Cold beer, margaritas, daiquiris, colada, and provide some shade - You'll do fine until you find your niche.

Good Luck! Jump in the water is fine!