The Name Game - Why Your Restaurant's Name is So Important

In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare wrote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." While that my be true of roses, is it also true when naming your restaurant? Or is Alan Swann, played by Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year, more accurate when he said "A rose by any other name would wither and die"?

While your restaurants name might not make or break the business, having the right name can be a big influence on your success, especially in the early stages. The name you choose is truly the first impression people have of your restaurant. If your business is new to the area, and people don't know anything about you, they will make a decision based on your restaurants name.

Choosing the Right Name

So how do you choose the right name? While there are many different opinions on how to come up with the right name, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

First, your name should be a reflection of who you are and what you do. Your customers should be able to get an idea of what to expect when they walk through your doors. For example, you wouldn't want to call your upscale restaurant "Joe's Bar and Grill", or call it "Ocean Breeze" and not have any seafood on the menu. Certain names conjure up images. You want those images to lead your customer base through the door.

You want your name to be easy to remember. Make it as easy as possible for your customers to be able to tell their friends and family about the great new place they found. Even if they can't remember exactly where you're located, if they remember the name, they can always look you up in the phone book. Your name should stick with them long after the meal has ended.

As far as how to come up with the right name, that's largely a matter of personal preference. Some people want to include their own name as part of the restaurant name. Others may use the location of the restaurant, or even something that reflects the history of the area or building.