What type of food does the United States prefer

Hi Alec,

This is an interesting question. I have no experience in the restaurant business. However, as someone who frequently eats at restaurant, I can provide you with a consumer's point of view. And as someone who's taken advertising and economics classes I can provide you with my knowledge from the those classes. This topic has come up before.

90% of restaurants fail in their first year in America. (http://online.csp.edu/blog/business/why-do-90-of-restaurants-fail-in-the-first-year)

However, don't let that discourage you. A big reason why I believe these restaurant failed is because the owner probably didn't understand his market. Don't assume "Oh all Americans love Burgers. I'll open a burger place." While the burger place might be successful don't blindly open a restaurant on a whim. Do your homework first. Look at the demographics. See what restaurants are successful in a certain area. For example, if you're opening a restaurant in the Bay Area in California, Korean BBQ, Chinese food, Mexican food, etc. can be "safe" bets There is a diverse population as seen through data gathered through the census. (http://www.paragon-re.com/SF_Demographics/) So we can assume cuisines from these cultures will do relatively well in this place as compared to somewhere like Auburn, Alabama where they have mostly white people. Once you figured out WHERE you want to open your restaurant, find out WHAT your consumers wants.

Also you want to ask yourself, is this going to be an upscale restaurant, mid-ranged price, or cheap restaurant. Again look at the demographics, ask yourself, "are a lot of the people who live in the general area by my restaurant low income, middle class, or wealthy?" Understand your market. Before you open your restaurant DO RESEARCH. Google some of the popular restaurant in the area look at their menu's and customer reviews on yelp. Ask yourself, what makes them successful, what do people not like about these restaurants, what types of cuisines are popular in this area.

There's so much more you have to figure out when opening a restaurant( ex. budgeting, how do you make a profit, how to draw in customers, what do you want it look like, your branding, etc.) I don't have all the answers and I'm sure there are so many more things you need to figure out. However I'd recommend you work in a restaurant or multiple different restaurants before you open your restaurant. Learn how a lot the restaurants operate. See what works and what doesn't. If you know anyone who owns a restaurant talk to them ask them for advice on how they've successfully run their business. Learn as much as you can about the restaurant business and you will be heading in the right direction! Good luck! Feel free to reach out if you have any more comments.

Alec,

Opening a restaurant without experience is very risky. You'd be wise to gain experience and talk with restaurant owners before doing it yourself. Here's a question, would you attempt to perform brain surgery without fist attending medical school and developing the necessary skills?

Most restaurants fail because of under-funding and/or inexperience. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of knowing what you're doing. You might benefit from gauging how much you can afford to lose before losing it.