Delis are a classic piece of American food culture. In many cities, you can find one on every block. If you’re looking to start your own deli business serving up subs, salads, coffee, and more, now is a great time to do it!
Choosing the right name is one of the first steps in building your deli business. It’s the name that will be attached to your branding forever, leading people to your business. That means your deli’s name has to be something you love and one that represents your business effectively.
Here are four major steps for identifying the right name for your deli restaurant business, along with ideas to further inspire your new and exciting business venture!
How do I choose a deli business name?
It all starts with brainstorming. Here are a few points to jumpstart your name-idea-generating process:
Write down your vision for your deli business, focusing on its mission and core values
Make sure your deli business name isn’t already taken (take advantage of resources like this site to make sure!)
Play around with a name generator to spark new, catchy ideas
- Reach out to your community for restaurant name ideas
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What are good deli business names?
A brilliant deli name is unique to your business. It should stick in the minds of your patrons, reminding them of your brand and personality. Your deli name should also reflect what goods and services your business offers. It should be simple to remember and to spell so that potential patrons can easily find you on Google or social media.
1. Write down your vision for your deli business
Start thinking about your mission statement, which describes who you are, why you’re here, and what you plan to accomplish as a new enterprise in your community. These details will all be a major influence on your business’ name. Then use the exercise below to get your creative juices flowing.
Grab a pen and paper and write down the following:
The kind of food you’ll be offering (Italian, American, fast food...etc)
Your core values and mission of your food business
The personality and vibe of your deli
Adjectives you’d use to describe your deli
Your name (and the name of your business partners, if any)
Any family names that are important to you
The neighborhood or town where your deli will be located, your target audience
The purpose of this exercise is to pull out words and phrases that describe your small business, which may make up part or all of its name.
When you run out of things to add, go back and read over your list of words and phrases, circling your favorites. These will all be building blocks for the future great name of your deli.
2. Choose a name that isn’t already taken
Needless to say, it’s important to make sure your domain name doesn’t already exist. Once you've settled on a handful of name contenders, run each one through the following resources to ensure they aren’t already in use by existing businesses.
Google search
Google My Business
The Yellow Pages
The Better Business Bureau
The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark database search
Be thorough with your research, as copyright infringement can come with steep penalties - something new businesses especially want to avoid. To learn more about copyright infringement, visit Copyright.gov.
3. Use a name generator to spark new ideas.
To get through writer’s block, name generators are an excellent tool to inspire different word combinations you hadn’t considered before.
Some generators ask for guidance in the form of keywords, while others simply assemble random combinations of words. No matter the generator, it’s good to have your keyword shortlist on hand.
Sure, some of the suggested names and combos will be unusable. But, they’ll still help you determine what you like and what you don’t. Plus, you may just find the perfect deli business name in your results, making name generators worth trying out.
Deli Business Name Generators to Use
4. Reach out to your community for deli business name ideas
Most people who start delis do so to create something special for their community. One way to do this is by building a relationship with your community members from day one of your business. Asking your community to contribute to the name brainstorming process is a fantastic way to build your relationship, and will get your community members excited for your launch.
Social media is an excellent platform for community-building. You can reach out to your community through social media, using strategic posts and engagement. Think about asking your community members to suggest names or vote on your favorites, through Instagram or Facebook posts and stories.
To build traction around your social media posts, consider including a raffle, giveaway, or future discounts for those who participate. Get creative with this! The more unique and special your offer, the more likely people will contribute their name ideas.
RESOURCE
Restaurant Business Plan Template
No matter where you’re at in your restaurant ownership journey, a business plan will be your north star. Organize your vision and ensure that nothing is overlooked with this free template.
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26 Real Deli Business Name Ideas to Inspire You
Taking some name inspiration from successful delis is never a bad idea. These names can help you identify the theme and style you’re going for. Do you want your name to be creative? To rhyme? Or just be funny? No matter what style you’re aiming for, these established deli names will lend a hand in your deli naming process.
Here are 28 of the best deli business names around the country:
Creative Deli Business Names
The General Muir – Atlanta, GA
Das Alpenhaus Delikatessen – Boise, ID
The Route 58 Delicatessen – Virginia Beach, VA
Polka Deli – Silver Spring, MD
808 Deli – Kihei, HI
The Bagel Deli – Denver, CO
Masterpiece Delicatessen – Denver, CO
Unique Deli Business Names
Leo’s GW Delicatessen – Washington, D.C.
Katz’s Delicatessen – New York, NY
East Bay Deli – Charleston, SC
Schlesinger's – Philadelphia, PA
Slyman's Restaurant – Cleveland, OH
Gonella's – Detroit, MI
Capo Deli – Washington, D.C.
Rhyming or Alliterative Deli Business Names
The Real Deal – Boston, MA
Morse's Sauerkraut – Waldoboro, ME
Bunzel's Meat Market – Milwaukee, WI
Kenny & Ziggy's Deli – Houston, TX
B&B Grocery Meat and Deli – Des Moines, IA
Stacked Sandwich Shop – Millis, MA
Butcher & Bird – Honolulu, HI
Funny Deli Business Names
Deli Name? Check.
Once you’ve picked your name, it’s time to take the next steps toward deli success. That means building your business plan and plotting the path forward. Soon enough, you’ll be the go-to spot for the best sandwiches in town.
Related Deli Resources
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DISCLAIMER: This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, accounting, tax, HR, or other professional advice. You are responsible for your own compliance with laws and regulations. You should contact your attorney or other relevant advisor for advice specific to your circumstances.
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