I've finally decided to open a breakfast restaurant to expand to lunch and dinner later. I know finding the right location is the most important thing. Looking for the best ideas for market research. I live in a Suburb near a Metropolitan City but there aren't many restaurants that serve breakfast other than the larger chains. I'm wondering why???????? There are lots of people that go out to eat breakfast. Does it sound like a good idea? And any info on marketing would be great.

I'm assuming you already have the capital for the start-up.

I happen to be a frequent visitor to breakfast only and a few breakfast/lunch restaurants...some of which have been in business for 30 yrs. In most cases their success is attributable to a couple of signature dishes...including great potatoes.

There's nothing worse than an institutional breakfast. While most are, the good ones don't taste as though they are.

I have a friend I've been after for years to start a breakfast restaurant based around her potatoes...she originally made them using a commercial spice blend from a prominent manufacturer until they discontinued it about 5 yrs. ago.

That blend did such a good job of dressing up breakfast potatoes I contacted the mfgr. in an effort to buy the rights to the spice blend from them, but they weren't interested in selling it so I went to work on it. While it took a long time and a lot of wasted spices, I finally managed to nail it. I blended up a bunch of it for her and have been beating her up on the restaurant idea again.

IF you've never eaten at Waffle House...go there and try their hash browns...they only have one style but the flavor is unique and quite good. While it looks like they fry them in melted butter, it's not...it's a commercial restaurant product called Golden (something) and the manufacturer is pretty much a one-act show with that as it's only product. Some Denny's use it also and a few independent places that specialize in breakfasts.

It doesn't sound like you need to find a niche as there aren't enough breakfast places in your area, so you can create a niche...unfortunately, if you exhibit success, you might find others joining into the fray.