Opening a Restaurant

How to Open a Restaurant in Oklahoma

Katherine BoyarskyAuthor

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Opening a Restaurant Checklist

So many things go into opening a restaurant. Use this free PDF checklist to set your new restaurant up for success.

Toast | BUILT FOR RESTAURANTS

Planning to launch a restaurant in Oklahoma? To help you on your journey, we've created a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to successfully open a restaurant in this state.

Navigating local regulations is one of the most crucial steps in starting your restaurant. Whether you're opening a café, bar, or other food service establishment, it's essential to secure the necessary licenses and permits.

From liquor licenses to food facility health permits and occupancy certificates, each has its own set of rules, sometimes with overlapping requirements. Understanding what's required in your specific city or county is key to ensuring your restaurant opens legally.

Key takeaways

  • Define your unique concept: A concept is essential for your restaurant. Start outlining it, as it will guide your decisions, from staffing to marketing.

  • Create a business plan: This should include an executive summary, company overview, industry analysis, marketing plan, business and service model, operating plan, and a financial analysis.

  • Get funding: Options include traditional bank loans, alternative lending, small business loans, merchant cash advances, lines of credit, crowdfunding, and financial support from friends or family.

  • Choose the best location: Focus on your ideal customer profile (ICP), real estate market, community, size of the space, previous tenants, and zoning.

  • Apply for licenses and permits: This includes an employer identification number (EIN), business license, certificate of occupancy, food seller’s permit, food handler’s permit, liquor license permits, and a food facility health permit.

  • Insurance for Oklahoma restaurants: This includes workers compensation, general liability, commercial property, business income, and cyber liability.

  • Design your menu items: Include food and drink options that set your restaurant apart in a competitive market. Set prices that support long-term profitability.

  • Hiring and onboarding employees: Network with industry professionals, use social media, connect with culinary schools, and post job openings on industry boards.

  • Invest in important technology: Implementing the right technology can streamline your operations and provide valuable insights into your business.

  • Create a marketing plan: Word of mouth can be powerful once your restaurant is established, but reaching target customers and turning them into regulars depends on marketing channels like social media and email campaigns.

  • Plan your soft launch and grand opening: Hold a soft opening to test your operations. Then, focus on planning and promoting your grand opening.

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Opening a Restaurant Checklist

So many things go into opening a restaurant. Use this free PDF checklist to set your new restaurant up for success.

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How to start a restaurant in Oklahoma

1. Create a unique concept for your restaurant

What kind of atmosphere do you want to bring to your Oklahoma restaurant? Begin by creating your unique concept. Consider these questions as part of your planning:

  • What type of food products will I focus on?

  • Who are my local competitors, and how can I stand out?

  • Will my restaurant focus on full-service dining or takeout with limited seating?

  • Who is my ideal customer or target demographic?

  • Should I operate only one business location, or should I plan to eventually expand?

  • How many employees will I need, and should the service style be laid-back or more formal?

  • What will the restaurant’s design and layout look like?

Establish your mission and values to shape the direction of your brand

Building a strong brand identity is key to a successful restaurant. Start by outlining your mission and core values, as these will guide everything from hiring employees to marketing your restaurant. Once you’ve built that foundation, then you can create a unique business name and logo that represent your brand's personality.

2. Create a business plan for your restaurant

A restaurant business plan acts as the roadmap for turning your Oklahoma restaurant dream into reality.

Start by choosing your legal structure, such as an LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation, or C corporation. For a breakdown of these options, including pros and cons, check out our guide on restaurant business entities.

Ownership models can vary widely—some restaurants are run by single entrepreneurs with staff, while others may involve investors or co-ownership models where employees also hold shares. Many establishments use a combination of these, with business owners and partners managing the food business while employees may share in profits.

Next, decide on your management style and profit-sharing plan. Afterward, consult with a lawyer and accountant in Oklahoma to handle the necessary legal and financial setup.

Your business plan should include these details and cover key sections like:

  • Executive Summary: Name and unique concept overview

  • Company Overview: Business model and structure

  • Industry Analysis: Target market, location, competition

  • Marketing Plan

  • Business Model: Restaurant type (quick service, fine dining, etc.)

  • Operating Plan: Staffing, service standards, payroll, POS, vendors

  • Financials: Startup costs, projections, cash flow, and food costs

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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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3. Securing funding for your restaurant

Starting a restaurant can be quite an investment, ranging from $95,000 to $2 million, which might be out of reach for many new restaurateurs. In Oklahoma, you have several funding options to consider:

  • Traditional bank loans

  • Alternative lending options

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) loans

  • Merchant cash advances

  • Lines of credit

  • Crowdfunding

  • Financial support from friends or family

Each option has its own application requirements, loan amounts, collateral needs, repayment terms, and funding speeds.

Traditional bank loans typically offer standard financing with longer terms and fixed rates. SBA loans are favored for their lower interest rates and extended repayment periods, though they come with a more detailed application process. Merchant cash advances can be an option for those with lower credit scores but often come with higher fees. Crowdfunding lets you raise money from a wide audience, usually in exchange for future products or services.

For more details on these funding methods, check out our guide on restaurant financing and loans.

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Restaurant Opening Calculator

This calculator lays out some of the fundamental financial costs of opening a restaurant, so you can start planning and bring your dream restaurant to life.

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4. Choosing the best location for your restaurant

Picking the right location for your Oklahoma restaurant is essential. Think about local demographics, market conditions, competition, and details like the size, visibility, and history of the space.

Decide whether to buy, lease, or build your restaurant space, as this will greatly impact your startup costs. Each option has its pros and cons. Building new or renovating an existing space involves dealing with regulatory requirements and getting the necessary permits.

When assessing a location, consider these factors:

  • Ideal customer profile (ICP)

  • Real estate market trends

  • Community and neighborhood vibe

  • Size and layout of the space

  • History of previous tenants

  • Zoning laws and previous use of the space

Ensure that the size and layout of your restaurant align well with your unique concept. For example, a small space might be perfect for a fine dining experience in Oklahoma City, while a larger venue is necessary for a packed barbeque diner full of college football fans in Norman.

5. Apply for Oklahoma restaurant licenses and permits

Like any other state, Oklahoma has specific requirements for the new licenses and permits needed to open a restaurant. Some licenses are managed at the state level, while others are handled locally (by city or municipality authorities), and fees may vary depending on the license year.

In Oklahoma, some of the licenses and licensing processes you'll need to open a restaurant include:

  1. Employer Identification Number (EIN), which connects your business to the IRS. The restaurant license application can be found on the IRS website, including all instructions and restrictions.

  2. Business License, which is issued by the state of Oklahoma. You can register for and manage your annual license on the Oklahoma State Portal.

  3. Certificate of Occupancy, which is issued by your city or county if needed, and shows that your space is up to commercial code with local regulations.

  4. Food Seller’s Permit, also known as a retail food establishment license, is required by any business that plans to sell tangible goods that are subject to sales tax. This sales tax permit allows them to charge sales tax on food sales, and it must comply with the Oklahoma Food Code.

  5. A Food Handler’s Permit, also known as Food Service License or Food Handler Card, is not required state-wide for every employee — but every establishment needs to have at least one trained Food Safety manager. This license shows employees or managers have taken a course teaching them the proper food handling protocols on how to prevent foodborne illness. This can be accessed on the Oklahoma Food Handler Training website.

  6. Liquor License Permits are required for any type of business to sell and serve alcoholic beverages to its patrons. Since alcohol has a high markup and a long shelf life, it’s often beneficial from a profit standpoint to sell alcohol. A liquor license can be acquired through the Oklahoma State Liquor Authority website, also known as the ABLE Commission, and typically costs between $500 and $1,000.

  7. Food Facility Health Permits in Oklahoma are under city and county health department jurisdiction. You’ll need to check with your local public health department or the Oklahoma state department of health to find out how to apply. All restaurants need to have their health permits in order before opening, and they must stick to safe food sanitation rules, handling, storage, and preparation practices all throughout their operations.

Get additional information about the types of permits, license fees, and license costs in Oklahoma at Oklahoma.Gov.

6. Key insurance types for Oklahoma restaurants

Consider these insurance types for your Oklahoma restaurant:

  • Worker’s Compensation Insurance: Covers employees' medical expenses and lost wages if they're injured or become ill at work. This is mandatory in Oklahoma, and is crucial for protecting your staff.

  • General Liability Insurance: Protects against lawsuits related to customer injuries or property damage. It's not required by state law, but it's highly recommended.

  • Commercial Property Insurance: Helps with repairs to your restaurant’s physical space and equipment if damaged. It’s not mandatory but is strongly advised.

  • Business Income Insurance: Covers lost income from disruptions like fires, theft, or natural disasters. This isn’t required, but it’s a good idea to have.

Cyber Liability Insurance: Protects against data breaches, especially if you handle customer credit card information. While not required, it’s a smart addition to your coverage.

7. Crafting your menu and drink items

Create your menu, whether you're working with a chef, general manager, or handling it yourself. Be prepared to tweak your offerings based on feedback from your kitchen and bar staff once they’re trained.

Make sure your menu stands out with unique food and drink items that set your restaurant apart in a competitive market, especially if your restaurant is located in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. Price your items to ensure long-term profitability.

Look into menu design and engineering techniques to maximize your menu's effectiveness.
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Restaurant POS Comparison Tool

A free, customizable Restaurant POS Comparison Tool to research and compare point of sale systems in one Excel spreadsheet.

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8. Recruiting and onboarding restaurant staff

When hiring for your restaurant in Oklahoma, make sure you follow local labor laws and regulations.

Your team is crucial to your restaurant's success. From front-of-house staff creating a great atmosphere for customers, to cooks preparing delicious dishes, and support staff keeping things running smoothly, every role matters.

To find the right team, network with industry professionals, use social media, reach out to local culinary schools, and post job openings on relevant job boards.

To attract and keep top talent, create a positive work environment. Offering competitive pay and benefits, like health insurance, can make your restaurant stand out.

Check out these Toast resources for help with recruiting, hiring, and retaining great restaurant staff:

For more tips, check out our video course on hiring and retaining restaurant staff.

9. Invest in essential equipment and technology

As your opening day approaches, consider investing in various restaurant technologies to ensure smooth operations from the jump.

For new restaurants in Oklahoma, it's a good idea to invest in:

The right technology can streamline your operations, provide valuable insights, and help you make data-driven decisions. These tools will boost efficiency, increase revenue, and lay the groundwork for long-term success.

10. Create a restaurant marketing plan

Just like anywhere else, a restaurant in Oklahoma needs a solid marketing strategy to grab attention. While word of mouth can be effective once you’re up and running, reaching your target customers and converting them into regulars often hinges on marketing channels like social media and email campaigns.

Leverage local festivals and events in cities around Oklahoma to spread the word. Some popular ones to consider include:

11. Organize your soft launch and grand opening events

When your restaurant is set to open, kick things off with a soft opening event. Invite family, friends, and have your staff spread the word to their networks. This helps you fine-tune your operations and address any issues before the official launch.

Then, shift your focus to planning and promoting your grand opening. Use social media to create excitement, distribute flyers locally, and tap into your existing network to boost attendance on the big day.

You’re all set!

Opening a restaurant is a challenging yet highly rewarding journey. To stay on top of everything that needs to be done in the year following your opening, check out our time-bound restaurant opening checklist below.

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Opening a Restaurant Checklist

So many things go into opening a restaurant. Use this free PDF checklist to set your new restaurant up for success.

Toast

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