This article will help you to not only see the importance of an effective name for your new restaurant, but also provide some helpful tips to create and test one out before your doors ever open.
Let’s face it. You probably had the idea of opening a restaurant since you were a kid when you played host to your fellow kids using your tea set toy. Over the years, the urge to explore your dream has been burning at the back of your mind and now you are sure that this is your path.
It is a common practice among all entrepreneurs to sit down and map their idea. This eventually translates into a business plan. Here is the challenge – how to name a restaurant?
Selecting a name for your restaurant is as important as selecting the location or choosing what type of food to serve your customers. Picking any name may be disastrous in several ways. For starters, it may not reflect the theme of your restaurant. Secondly, the name maybe too long or too difficult to pronounce.
That is not all. Spelling the name may be too difficult for your customers. As a restaurant owner, it is highly advisable to take some time and think about restaurant names.
The best way to go about selecting restaurant names and your restaurant logo is to first consider the theme of your restaurant. Are you planning to serve sea food, Asian or African dishes? Well, read on to learn more ideas that will help you brand your restaurant with a great name.
⬇️ Below you will also find a list of names divided into different restaurant concepts.
5 Steps to Follow when Naming a Restaurant
Selecting the name of your restaurant that resonates with your brand and has a deeper meaning is a great way to get started.
Here are 5 more ideas to help you name your restaurant.
1. Understand your customers and market
It is important to understand that every entrepreneur has a product or service they would like their customers to purchase from them. As a restaurant owner, you are not only selling food and drinks to your customers but a great dining experience.
The reason why entrepreneurs need to put their customers first is because customers hold the purchasing power.
Since you are currently establishing your restaurant, you have a huge task of identifying who your target customers are.
Here are ways to help you understand your target market.
- a) Start by standing in your customer’s shoes. By placing yourself in this position, you get to understand the choices you expect from your restaurant. Furthermore, it will help you understand how to stay ahead of your competitors and maintain your customer base.
- b) Envision the future. Brilliant entrepreneurs have made it their quest to focus on what their customers want tomorrow. As a restaurant owner, you need to envision different futures for your restaurant. As a result, you will establish goals and objectives to meet your future needs.
2. Brainstorm ideas
As said earlier, selecting the perfect name for your restaurant is not easy. Actually, it’s a stressful process that may take days or even weeks. The reason why it’s stressful is because you want a name that not only embodies your values but your organization’s distinct characteristics.
The best step to take is to brainstorm different ideas. Let’s start with the basics. Take a piece of paper and pen. Begin writing down different names that would be suitable for your restaurant. The reason for doing this is to provide several options before selecting the perfect name.
If you are unable to come up with a perfect name, there is another way – using an online business name generator.
Selecting a general business name generator is not a bad idea but to ensure that you are close to your objective, I have listed the best three restaurant name generators available online.
Using the above platforms is very easy. To get started, navigate to the respective platform and simply click on “Generate” or “Get Name.” Every time you click on the button, it will either generate a single name or multiple names.
Take your time to go through the list and try to identify if any of the names fit with your ideas.
Another way to get a unique name from a business name generator is to combine two names to create a unique word or slightly eliminate a few characters so that the word is spelt wrongly but maintains a close pronunciation.
3. Narrowing it down
Now that you have a list of names from the above business name generators, it’s time to select your restaurant’s brand name. Problem is, it may be time consuming and even confusing when going through the list.
To help make your work easier, here are 5 suggestions you should follow.
✅ I. The name should be simple
Yes, the name should be simple enough for the customers to pronounce. Even when you select a word from a foreign language, it should be easy for your customers to pronounce whether they speak the language or not.
✅ II. The name should be marketable
As a restaurant owner, you need a name that is marketable. A marketable restaurant name should be able to stand out from the crowd.
It should also be catchy thus maintaining a fresh and memorable imprint in your customer’s mind. The best way to go about this is by forwarding your suggestions to family members and trusted friends.
✅ III. Unique and Original
From the list you have generated online, you will find words that are similar. You may also find unique names but the problem is, it might be in use by another establishment.
To ensure your name is unique and original, use available search engines. Remember to make sure that the name is not trademarked.
✅ IV. Short and easy to remember
As said earlier, the name you select should be short and easy to remember. The only way to do so is by keeping it simple.
✅ V.Should be in line with your restaurant concept and food
For example, if you are serving seafood, choose a name that resonates with the selected theme.
4. Test the 3-5 names selected
By now you have narrowed down your list to include 3 to 5 names. Before making the final decision, it is important to test the names. So, how do you go about this? You can use the following professional service – SurveyMonkey.
Testing should not end there. Today, every business must have an online presence if they are to survive.
This means hosting a website. To ensure this is possible, a restaurant must safe guard its domain name. For example, if your restaurant is named “XYZ”, your domain name can be “XYZ.com” or you can opt for a specific domain name extension like “XYZ.restaurant.”
What you need to know is that when you search your domain name, be prepared to purchase it immediately. Why? Domain name sellers do record each domain and if not purchased immediately at a cheaper price, you will end up purchasing it later from a reseller at a higher price.
You may be wondering why your domain name should primarily include the name of your restaurant. Well, this is to eliminate confusion among your customers. Furthermore, it comes in handy during local business listing.
5. Choosing a logo? Seek the help of a professional graphic designer
A logo is an important component to your restaurant’s brand. Not only does it complement your restaurant but it also helps to explain what you do. Furthermore, it expresses the values of your restaurant, culture and employees.
What you need to know is that selecting the appropriate business logo is a sensitive process. That is why you need to consult a professional graphic designer.
There are two ways of doing this. You can either hire a local graphic design in your city or you can opt to work with a freelancing graphic designer.
If you decide to select a local graphic designer, I suggest you seek references from family members, trusted friends and mentors. Doing so will ensure that you get to connect with a professional who has a proven track record.
If you opt to work with an online freelancing graphic designer, I suggest you start with 99designs.
These platforms have made it easier for clients to connect with professionals.
As a result, you can have different samples provided for you. If you find one that is suitable with your brand, select it and complete the purchase.
🔥 Restaurant name lists 🔥
Still not satisfied with the above steps? Here is a list of names divided into different restaurant concepts.
- Pizzeria names
- Spanish Restaurant names
- Italian Restaurant names
- Seafood Restaurant names
- BBQ Restaurant names
Final Thoughts
By now you understand how complex it can be when it comes to naming your restaurant. For starters, you have to brainstorm which means taking your time to write down your ideas. This may not be enough as your imagination may be limited. Furthermore, it will consume more of your time and may result in you giving up.
To select the perfect restaurant name that will resonate with your establishment’s values and culture, follow these steps. Start by understanding your customers, choose a simple name that is marketable, easy to remember, unique and original.
Don’t forget to use available online business name generators to get more ideas. From the available list, narrow it down to three or five names.
Test the names and finally, have your restaurant’s logo designed.
