Need Some Restaurant Info in Waco, TX (Center, Franklin: broker, live in)

[Asian Bistro]

Hello guys! We are planning on establish a Fine Asian Diner (includes Chinese, Sushi, Hibachi) in Waco. We are looking at the former Marie Callender's building currently, is it a good location in waco for a restaurant? I saw it was transformed into "YOSHI Asian cuisine" once and then closed. What happened to it? Do people like Asian food around the area? Please feel free to post your advises, they will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks again!

[Lwatson09]

I live in waco and went to the yoshi place once..it was overpriced and just not great compared to other asian places..the problem with waco is that restaurants are the only things to go to, so there are so many of them. The downtown area would be your best bet as it is more diverse with Baylor students. Teryaki park is always flooded with students and Pei Wei in the middle of the city usually is very crowded..Buffets just don't do it

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by Asian Bistro

Hello guys! We are planning on establish a Fine Asian Diner (includes Chinese, Sushi, Hibachi) in Waco. We are looking at the former Marie Callender's building currently, is it a good location in waco for a restaurant? I saw it was transformed into "YOSHI Asian cuisine" once and then closed. What happened to it? Do people like Asian food around the area? Please feel free to post your advises, they will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks again!

You should trying getting in with the new Downtown Waco Town Center. That place is getting lots of attention, especially on weekends.

[mayhem154]

Downtown, Baylor or closer to the new developments on I-35 and Hwy 6. That location at Richland Mall and anywhere on Franklin Ave would be a mistake.

[Asian Bistro]

Originally Posted by mayhem154

Downtown, Baylor or closer to the new developments on I-35 and Hwy 6. That location at Richland Mall and anywhere on Franklin Ave would be a mistake.

Thank you all for the reply. Why is that? I got told from the broker that Red Loberster and Olive Garden are doing extremely well at Richland Mall. Doesn't the Mall get shoppers in the town?

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by Asian Bistro

Thank you all for the reply. Why is that? I got told from the broker that Red Loberster and Olive Garden are doing extremely well at Richland Mall. Doesn't the Mall get shoppers in the town?

That's because they are well known chains. New local places in Waco don't do so good sometimes. The downtown area would be the perfect spot due to Baylor students and workers in the downtown region. Up to 17,000 people commute to the downtown area to work.

You won't get as much business because you will be competing with places like Whatburger, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and as well as other food chains inside the mall.

[mayhem154]

The biggest mistake most people make, is thinking the locals in Waco will support your establishment. Most fail. I don't know why, but it has always been this way. If you cater to the students and the interstate traffic, you'll stand a better chance of surviving. Your restaurant would be the 3rd try at that building and 3rd attempt at putting an upscale Asian restaurant at Richland Mall. The Red Lobster was initally built as an upscale Chinese restuarant back in the mid 90's.

[Asian Bistro]

Originally Posted by mayhem154

The biggest mistake most people make, is thinking the locals in Waco will support your establishment. Most fail. I don't know why, but it has always been this way. If you cater to the students and the interstate traffic, you'll stand a better chance of surviving. Your restaurant would be the 3rd try at that building and 3rd attempt at putting an upscale Asian restaurant at Richland Mall. The Red Lobster was initally built as an upscale Chinese restuarant back in the mid 90's.

Thank you once again. The broker's offering us a great deal. We are not just focusing on upscale Chinese, also Japanese steak house. Our concept is to combine them and so called Asian restaurant. The price we are going to be set at medium (Lunch 7-10, Diner 15-20). Not like other Japanese steak house, chop your arm and leg off for a meal. In this case, do we have any chance of success?

[Wendy Montoya]

Personally I am leary of any new place that comes in but will give it at least a try. I did not care for the previous YOSHI place. Food was not good IMO and price was too high. On the prices. I say maybe. Lunch sounds more reasonable than dinner. Of course it depends on your poduct. Is this a buffet style? We have several of those already. I don't eat at any of them except maybe one. The food has to be absolutely great and the prices have to be reasonable to work I think. Especially with an unknown name. It seems to be a tough road for food establishments around here. Some of my favorites have even gone. And I don't know why. I wish you the best of luck.

[Asian Bistro]

Originally Posted by Wendy Montoya

Personally I am leary of any new place that comes in but will give it at least a try. I did not care for the previous YOSHI place. Food was not good IMO and price was too high. On the prices. I say maybe. Lunch sounds more reasonable than dinner. Of course it depends on your poduct. Is this a buffet style? We have several of those already. I don't eat at any of them except maybe one. The food has to be absolutely great and the prices have to be reasonable to work I think. Especially with an unknown name. It seems to be a tough road for food establishments around here. Some of my favorites have even gone. And I don't know why. I wish you the best of luck.

No, we are not doing buffet restaurants. As I saw the previous restaurant was named "yoshi asian cusine", i assume it was a buffet? Why is dinner price not reasonable to you? Too high or Too low? If we could get the deal done in this month, expecting to have the restaurant opened in late October.