My mom wants to open a chicken cafe (long)

[Paul B.]

For the past few years, my mom has been working as a real estate agent renting out residential and commercial properties in New York. She has had moderate success but is currently in a six month downswing in which she has only closed one small deal, and now she wants to open a chicken cafe.

WTF??? Apparently there is a a chicken cafe chain that is slowly getting popular in Korea. The environment is supposed to be that of a cafe/lounge -- really chill and relaxed. The items on the menu consist of chicken, beer, and wine, and a typical meal look like this:



(if you recognize it, please do not say the franchise name)

I tried some chicken today from a franchise location that's a 10 minute drive away, and it was decent. I'd rate it 7.5/10 just based on taste, but the price is outrageous for what it is. I think the cheapest item on the menu (not counting drinks) is $14.95 for 10 pieces of chicken. My mom says that this is standard and that there is a market for it.

She found a storefront already. It's right next to a well-known established Korean restaurant and across the street from a big fast food chain (also a few eateries within 100 feet.. delis, bakery, etc.). She wants to pay a $30k franchising fee to open it ASAP, and the total cost is estimated to be $300k.

Here is the reason I'm writing this thread: She wants me to lend her some money. She's going to put her life savings on the line, borrow money from me and get a loan from the bank. Needless to say, we would be busto if this business fails. Thoughts?

[runner4life7]

I think a big question for you is how steady is your income and how screwed are you if this makes you busto?

i dont know much about restaurant business, just that being busto is not good.

[crazy canuck]

Add dogs to the menu.

[sublime]

no thanks. sorry mom, joing a sewing club.

[chesspain]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd rate it 7.5/10 just based on taste, but the price is outrageous for what it is. I think the cheapest item on the menu (not counting drinks) is $14.95 for 10 pieces of chicken. My mom says...there is a market for it.




[/ QUOTE ]

And she knows this, how?

[danvh]

Sounds like a fancy Hooters..

[StevieG]

Sounds like someone got your mother's attention. Now she's interested and ready to make her decision for chicken.

Your action is clearly to stop her.

[FUJItheFISH]

handsome.
doesn't sound like the best idea. the location sounds pretty bad with the prices on these menu items, since id rather go to the well-known korean restaurant for $15 plates.

also, this could easily be a fad and gambling in the restaurant business with all your cash sounds like a really bad idea.

if you do decide to help your mother out, i hope it turns out to be a big hit.

[Tater10]

If she has never worked in the food industry, ask her to get a job for 6mos or so at a restaurant.

Every now and then I think about opening a bar. I remember I'll have to clean toilets, break up fights, etc. Then I forget such a silly notion.

[___SK___]

Go for it, i love Church's Chicken!