Now that we have overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, what restaurants are truly being asked.

The city is bustling with life again, and there are far fewer people wearing masks compared to before, aren't there?

However, behind that liveliness, there must be business owners who feel a certain 'weight' lingering in their hearts. Contrary to the superficial recovery, the challenges that piled up during the pandemic are now confronting reality, either gradually or all at once.

'Is it really going to be okay like this?'

Today, I would like to face that question in your hearts together with you.

The 'clock' that had stopped begins to move again

In the midst of the pandemic, the 'COVID-19 loans' became a lifeline for many restaurants, didn't they? At that time, in a situation where the future was uncertain, I think just having funds on hand brought a sense of relief. The repayment deferral measures must have been a real help as well.

But how about now?

Whether government-backed or private, the repayments that were deferred during the pandemic are finally resuming in earnest. Isn't it true that the loans that were a 'help' back then are now weighing on your cash flow as a 'burden' that goes out every month?

What is borrowed must be repaid. It is obvious, but it is truly difficult to manage daily operations while keeping an eye on repayment plans that extend years into the future.

Restaurants disappearing 'next to the bustle'

The city has regained its vitality, and if you look at social media, you see new restaurants becoming the talk of the town or popular spots fully booked. However, at the same time, there is no end to the number of restaurants that are quietly and surely closing down.

The number of restaurant bankruptcies in 2024 has reached a record high.

'They looked busy, so why?' 'When I hear about bankruptcies on the news, I can't help but feel like it's not someone else's problem...'

Some of you may feel this way.

Of course, the simple cause of 'low sales' is a major factor, but there is also the weight of repayment burdens, the continuous rise in raw material and utility costs, chronic labor shortages, and the physical and mental limits of the business owners themselves, who are exhausted by all of this...

It is difficult to survive these harsh times by just chasing superficial bustle or trendy business models. These bankruptcy cases seem to teach us the necessity of management that solidifies a firm 'foundation,' even if it lacks flashiness.

Beyond the 'numbers' in front of you. What restaurants truly need to re-examine now.

This is where we get to the heart of the matter. As we witness the weight of debt and the reality of bankruptcy, what are the "truly important things" for us, small and family-run restaurants, to ensure we remain loved and continue to exist long into the future?

Even if we know that just chasing immediate sales isn't enough, what should we actually be reviewing? Let's think about a few things together.

1. "What was it that I was working so hard for again?"

To all of you who have desperately pushed through the COVID-19 pandemic, you must have been doing your best just to keep up with daily sales and protect your shops. Even while managing in such painful and difficult circumstances, please take a moment to think.

Of course, I'm sure it's for your livelihood, but when you first opened, you must have had more than just making money in mind—you had passionate "thoughts" and "dreams," like wanting to see your family and customers smile, or thinking it would be interesting to have your own shop in this town.

That "origin of the shop" is something easily forgotten in the busyness of daily life. When you feel confused or like you're spinning your wheels, it might be because your current actions are misaligned with that "origin." Stopping to remember it can often help you see what you need to do next.

2. "Wait, you were thinking that!?"

Especially in family-run businesses, you tend to think, "They should know without me saying it." It's what we call unspoken understanding.

But this "knowing without saying" can create small "invisible gaps," or worse, lead to ignoring "visible gaps."

When such small disagreements pile up, you lose your sense of unity when it matters most, or it can lead to conflict.

I understand the feeling that "discussing things is honestly a hassle..." But taking the time to do so can simply prevent oversights, allow for information sharing, and has nothing but benefits, haha. You don't have to have a "heavy" conversation every time.

3. "In the end, what's going on with the money?"

Even though you have a decent number of customers, why is it that you don't have money left in your hands? This frustration is a concern shared by many business owners. This might be because you are only looking at "sales."

Are you able to properly "visualize" your cost of goods, labor costs, and most importantly, your "cash flow"? How much money is coming in, and how much is going out and where? Grasping this "movement of money" and maintaining a healthy state is the first step to building a strong shop that won't succumb to the pressure of debt repayment.

4. "Aren't you pushing yourself too hard?"

The passion and health of the owner, who is the leader of the shop, are the shop's greatest assets. Especially in family-run businesses, you tend to work without breaks. But if your mind and body are exhausted, no matter how good the shop is, you cannot continue for long.

Sometimes you need to stop and look at your own "foundation." Are you pushing yourself too hard? Are you getting enough rest? And when you are in trouble, have an environment where you can consult someone without hesitation. The owner staying healthy leads to the smiles of family, employees, and customers.

For a sure step toward the future

Now that we have overcome the COVID-19 crisis, I believe we are standing at a chance not just to "return to how things were," but to change into "a stronger, better shop."

To achieve this, it is more important than anything else to carefully nurture the things that are invisible but truly essential—not just chasing visible numbers or flashy strategies, but focusing on the restaurant's "philosophy," "dialogue" with family and employees, the healthy flow of "money," and even the "health" of the business owner themselves.

By putting vague anxieties into "words" and re-examining your foundation, a steady step toward the future should be born.

Nobil Note | Restaurant Management Supporter Ryoji Ogata
I have been involved in the field and management of family-run businesses for over 20 years.
I provide support through words and systems that can be put into practice on the front lines.
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