--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So, the first step to opening a…" description: "\"So, the first step to opening a restaurant is, don't. Opening a restaurant is a series of putting out fires every single day. I mean, even once you're ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bf/j-kenji-lopez-alt-5948_day_so-the-first-step-to-opening-a-restauran_2419570.jpg" --- # So, the first step to opening a restaurant is, don't… ![“So, the first step to opening a restaurant is, don't. Opening a restaurant is a series of putting out fires every single day. I mean, even once you're open, it's still a series of putting out fires. Step one: don't.” quote by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bf/j-kenji-lopez-alt-5948_day_so-the-first-step-to-opening-a-restauran_2419570.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bf/j-kenji-lopez-alt-5948_day_so-the-first-step-to-opening-a-restauran_2419570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bf/j-kenji-lopez-alt-5948_day_so-the-first-step-to-opening-a-restauran_2419570.jpg) > “So, the first step to opening a restaurant is, don't. Opening a restaurant is a series of putting out fires every single day. I mean, even once you're open, it's still a series of putting out fires. Step one: don't.” [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Running a restaurant is a relentless series of emergencies; the best advice is to avoid opening it at all. **In simple terms:** Restaurants are constantly crisis‑driven; better not start. Key Takeaway Consider the true cost before launching. Themes entrepreneurship hospitality risk management Mood anxious realistic Type cautionary practical When to use this quote - career decision - investment - personal finance - risk assessment Key Concepts crisis response business planning stress Questions to Reflect On - Is the passion worth the constant pressure? - How can you mitigate fire‑fighting before opening? A Different Perspective Even if you open, daily fires will drain resources and morale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Every single day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-single-day/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Restaurant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restaurant/) ## Related quotes > [My idea of opening a restaurant was important. The whole point is that I couldn't have been totally dependent on acting for my income...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiten-tejwani/my-idea-of-opening-a-restaurant-was-important-the-whole-point-is-that/) [Hiten Tejwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiten-tejwani/) > [You have to think of a restaurant as a series of impressions. 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