How to Write a Great Mission Statement for Your Cafe or Restaurant
So what exactly is a mission statement? Imagine your business is on a trip, a Mission Statement is your map. It shows you where to go and how to make your cafe or restaurant the best it can be. A Mission Statement is not the same as a Values Statement, which we’ve already written about. The Values Statement says what you stand for, while the Mission Statement says what you want to do. Let’s write a mission statement for your business that resonates and inspires staff and customers.
A Mission Statement is like a long-term goal for your cafe or restaurant. It tells what your cafe or restaurant does, why it does it, and who it does it for. It’s a bit like saying, “Our football team wants to win the league by playing great football and making our fans proud.”
For example, a well-known sandwich shop might say, “Our mission is to serve the best sandwiches in town by using fresh ingredients and making a cosy space for the community.”
The people who help you run the business need to understand your Mission Statement. After all, they will help you get there – this is a people-intensive business! Start by describing what a Mission Statement is (like the map example), why you’re making one, and how it’s different from a Values Statement. Use examples like the ones below, to help people understand, and keep it to one, maximum two sentences.
Putting the Mission Statement can be enjoyable, and sometimes it’s challenging to keep it brief – one sentence, maximum two!
Here are some tips that can help:
Think about what you want: What do you hope to get out of your cafe or restaurant?
Think about who your customers are and why they choose your cafe or diner.
Think about what you have to offer: what makes your cafe or restaurant unique?
Include words related to the customer experience, emotions, food & beverage, and maybe the community.
Start writing your Mission Statement once you know the answers to these questions. Keep it clear, simple, and positive – write a long version if you’ve got lots to say, then cut it back. Having another person look over it can be helpful.
When you share the Mission Statement with your team, talk about what each person can do to help get there – everyone on your team is important if you want to meet your goal.
The Mission Statement also tells your customers what you’re going to do. You could put it on the wall of your restaurant, on your brochures, and on your website. It invites customers to be on the journey with you.
When new people join your team, share the Mission and Values Statements from the start. This helps them understand what they’re working for and how it fits with their job. If you have problems with a team member, bringing up these two statements can bring a productive and positive focus to a discussion about improvement.
Remember that a Mission Statement is your compass; it helps you stay on track with your goals. Keep it in mind every day, and tell your team to do the same. And here’s to a great journey towards your goal!
Here are 10 examples of what a business Mission Statement could say:
The Friendly cafe: “Our goal is to make our community feel at home by making wonderful home-cooked meals with love and local ingredients. We want our cafe to be a place where everyone feels like they belong.”
Fresh Bites Restaurant: “Our goal at Fresh Bites is to change how people eat by making fresh, new meals that surprise and please. We try to make every bite the best possible, ensuring quality and taste are always our top priorities.
“The Green Bean cafe: “Our goal is to serve the town’s freshest, tastiest coffee while taking care of the environment.” We promise to use beans that are grown ethically, to reduce waste, and to make a cosy, sustainable place for our community of coffee lovers.
Seafront Fish Restaurant: “Our goal at Seafront is to serve you the freshest, best fish from the ocean. We want to give you a once-in-a-lifetime eating experience while pushing responsible fishing and honouring our seaside roots.”
Baker’s Oven: “At Baker’s Oven, our goal is to spread happiness with every dessert and loaf of bread we bake. We are committed to traditional baking and use only the best products to give our customers a taste of happiness.”
Global Fusion Restaurant: “Our goal is to take our customers on a trip around the world through their taste buds.” At Global Fusion, we honour variety by combining tastes from all over the world and serving them with love and a dedication to authenticity.
Chilli Spice Restaurant: “Our mission at Chilli Spice is to transport our guests to the vibrant streets of India with every bite. We are committed to celebrating the rich tapestry of Indian flavours, creating delicious and authentic dishes that spark a love for diverse cuisines.”
Cosy Corner Cafe: “At Cosy Corner Cafe, our mission is to be your home away from home. We strive to provide comforting, delicious food and a friendly atmosphere, where every customer can unwind, connect and feel part of our cafe family.”
The Lively Tap Bar: “Our mission at The Lively Tap is to pour joy, one pint at a time. We aim to be the go-to local bar, offering an extensive range of craft beers, a welcoming ambience, and a space where good friends gather for great times.”
Elixir Mixology Bar: “Elixir Mixology Bar’s mission is to push the boundaries of cocktail creation, blending tradition and innovation for an unforgettable experience. We celebrate the art of mixology, crafting unique, tantalising cocktails that delight the senses and raise the spirit.”
Don’t forget that the best goal statement for your cafe or restaurant is one that really shows what you want to accomplish and how you want your customers to feel. It’s not enough to be catchy; you must also be real and have something to say.
So what exactly is a mission statement? Imagine your business is on a trip, a Mission Statement is your map. It shows you where to go and how to make your cafe or restaurant the best it can be. A Mission Statement is not the same as a Values Statement, which we’ve already written about. The Values Statement says what you stand for, while the Mission Statement says what you want to do. Let’s write a mission statement for your business that resonates and inspires staff and customers.
A Mission Statement is like a long-term goal for your cafe or restaurant. It tells what your cafe or restaurant does, why it does it, and who it does it for. It’s a bit like saying, “Our football team wants to win the league by playing great football and making our fans proud.”
For example, a well-known sandwich shop might say, “Our mission is to serve the best sandwiches in town by using fresh ingredients and making a cosy space for the community.”
The people who help you run the business need to understand your Mission Statement. After all, they will help you get there – this is a people-intensive business! Start by describing what a Mission Statement is (like the map example), why you’re making one, and how it’s different from a Values Statement. Use examples like the ones below, to help people understand, and keep it to one, maximum two sentences.
Putting the Mission Statement can be enjoyable, and sometimes it’s challenging to keep it brief – one sentence, maximum two!
Here are some tips that can help:
When you share the Mission Statement with your team, talk about what each person can do to help get there – everyone on your team is important if you want to meet your goal.
The Mission Statement also tells your customers what you’re going to do. You could put it on the wall of your restaurant, on your brochures, and on your website. It invites customers to be on the journey with you.
When new people join your team, share the Mission and Values Statements from the start. This helps them understand what they’re working for and how it fits with their job. If you have problems with a team member, bringing up these two statements can bring a productive and positive focus to a discussion about improvement.
Remember that a Mission Statement is your compass; it helps you stay on track with your goals. Keep it in mind every day, and tell your team to do the same. And here’s to a great journey towards your goal!
Here are 10 examples of what a business Mission Statement could say:
The Friendly cafe: “Our goal is to make our community feel at home by making wonderful home-cooked meals with love and local ingredients. We want our cafe to be a place where everyone feels like they belong.”
Fresh Bites Restaurant: “Our goal at Fresh Bites is to change how people eat by making fresh, new meals that surprise and please. We try to make every bite the best possible, ensuring quality and taste are always our top priorities.
“The Green Bean cafe: “Our goal is to serve the town’s freshest, tastiest coffee while taking care of the environment.” We promise to use beans that are grown ethically, to reduce waste, and to make a cosy, sustainable place for our community of coffee lovers.
Seafront Fish Restaurant: “Our goal at Seafront is to serve you the freshest, best fish from the ocean. We want to give you a once-in-a-lifetime eating experience while pushing responsible fishing and honouring our seaside roots.”
Baker’s Oven: “At Baker’s Oven, our goal is to spread happiness with every dessert and loaf of bread we bake. We are committed to traditional baking and use only the best products to give our customers a taste of happiness.”
Global Fusion Restaurant: “Our goal is to take our customers on a trip around the world through their taste buds.” At Global Fusion, we honour variety by combining tastes from all over the world and serving them with love and a dedication to authenticity.
Chilli Spice Restaurant: “Our mission at Chilli Spice is to transport our guests to the vibrant streets of India with every bite. We are committed to celebrating the rich tapestry of Indian flavours, creating delicious and authentic dishes that spark a love for diverse cuisines.”
Cosy Corner Cafe: “At Cosy Corner Cafe, our mission is to be your home away from home. We strive to provide comforting, delicious food and a friendly atmosphere, where every customer can unwind, connect and feel part of our cafe family.”
The Lively Tap Bar: “Our mission at The Lively Tap is to pour joy, one pint at a time. We aim to be the go-to local bar, offering an extensive range of craft beers, a welcoming ambience, and a space where good friends gather for great times.”
Elixir Mixology Bar: “Elixir Mixology Bar’s mission is to push the boundaries of cocktail creation, blending tradition and innovation for an unforgettable experience. We celebrate the art of mixology, crafting unique, tantalising cocktails that delight the senses and raise the spirit.”
Don’t forget that the best goal statement for your cafe or restaurant is one that really shows what you want to accomplish and how you want your customers to feel. It’s not enough to be catchy; you must also be real and have something to say.
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