Found all over the country, Chinese fast food chains are a popular choice for consumers who want a delicious, affordable meal. Running one of these chains can be time-consuming, especially when investing time and money into a start-up business. Knowing the odds and ends of successfully running an Chinese food chain can help alleviate some of the stress and pressure.

One way to do this is to educate yourself in everything involving Chinese restaurant chains. Whether it's obtaining a college degree or learning behind-the-scenes management training, knowing where to find these sites is the first step to owning a profitable restaurant. Consider the following when investigating Chinese cuisine chains education and training:

1. Seek out national franchised Chinese restaurants that offer corporate training.

2. Take classes from colleges and universities to learn about running a Chinese cuisine chain.

3. Look for members of associations and organizations affiliated with Chinese food chains for tips.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take advantage of training offered by Chinese food franchises

Some of the larger Chinese fast food franchises provide in-house training where you can learn everything about the business before you open the doors. Oftentimes these training and educational opportunities continue for your employees while you work on operating the franchise.

I recommend: Contact City Wok and discuss franchise opportunities with some of its business partners. Pei Wei Asian Diner offers technical training to its employees as well as a nine-week training course for all managers.

Attend courses on Chinese fast food chain management from hospitality and restaurant institutions

Certain colleges and universities offer hospitality management degrees and courses you can take and learn how to successfully operate your Chinese fast food franchise. This can be a great way to get a solid foundation to operating any type of restaurant.

I recommend: Southwestern Illinois College offers a Culinary Arts and Food Management Program that provides its students for an entry-level job in the food service industry. The Art Institute of Washington has an International Culinary School where you can obtain hands-on experiences and one of many food-based degrees, including a food and beverage management degree.

Ask for tips on running Chinese fast food franchises from professionals

Look for organizations or associations that have members who know about operating Chinese food franchises. Many times these organizations host conferences where you can network with others and ask questions about how to successfully run a franchise.

I recommend: Check out the Oriental Food Association, and think about becoming a member. The association mainly deals with importing oriental foods, which is an aspect to consider when operating a Chinese fast food chain. Seek out information from the Chinese American Food Society, where you can network with others in the industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you don't have time to attend regular college classes to obtain a food management degree, see if you can take online courses. This can be beneficial to anyone who wants to brush up on skills on how to run a Chinese food chain while still working.

Chinese cuisine chains are located in cities all over the country. Their menus offer a variety of Chinese cuisine meals including fried rice, chicken and steak. People like them because they can get a Chinese cooked meal for a reasonable price without having to prepare it themselves.

Cash in on franchised Chinese restaurants by opening your own in your city. Large conglomerates own these chains and franchise them out, so get the scoop on start up costs and other regulations. Decide if you will run it yourself or hire a management team. Look for the following when deciding on franchise terms for Chinese cuisine chains:

1. Decide which Chinese fast food franchise is right for you.

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 2. Decipher start up cost, initial investment and net worth requirements for Chinese fast food chains.

3. Determine other requirements to see if Chinese fast food franchises are right for you.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check availability and pricing for a chain of Chinese cuisine restaurants

Not every franchise has openings in your area. Once you have decided on a chain, contact them to find out if you can open a store in your area. If they have no need in your local area, they will send you a list of close areas that need a local restaurant. You can also decide on a restaurant chain based on total price or down payment needed. You can check your state to see which restaurant chains have openings.

I recommend: Manchu WOK offers franchises across the country. They provide information on their website including initial fees, royalties and other pertinent information. Ho-Lee-Chow offers franchises in Canada and Pick Up Stix operates in the Western US.

Ask the Chinese food franchises about initial investment

Initial investments for restaurant chains is usually high however, some cost less than others cost. Before you decide, find out exactly what monetary commitments you will need to make upfront. Remember also, that the initial investment for the franchise fee only covers the franchise itself and you will still need working capital for such expenses as electricity, phone and payroll.

I recommend: Asian Concepts offers franchise opportunities with a franchise fee of $15,000. Total investment ranges from $191,700 to $255,400. BD's Mongolian Barbeque offers franchises and requests you have $750,000 liquid cash and a net worth of $2.5 million.

Open a Chinese restaurant chains for immediate business

When you open a chain store, you are cashing in on the name of the franchise. People know that whether your store is in Maine or California they will get the same menu and service and they stop at a familiar place. This is why you buy a franchise but the down side is there are tight regulations on franchises. You will get your operating schedule, menu and décor from the company. If you fail to meet your obligations, which usually include buying all of your supplies from them, you will lose your franchise.

I recommend: Franchise Advantage offers a list of current available restaurant chains. Check the non-monetary requirements before you invest in the business of your choice. Franchise Gator provides company names and websites of current restaurant chain franchise opportunities. Check hours of operation, training requirements and where to buy supplies before you buy.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchase business insurance for Chinese food chains before you open for business. Make sure your insurance covers all hazards including accidents and food poisoning as well as the normal fire and theft.

Chinese restaurants are quite popular in America, and, like other popular types of cuisines, they have spawned many franchises and chains. The advantage to a franchise is that the customer is familiar with the brand before he or she walks in the door. But before you rush off to open a Chinese cuisine restaurant, there are a few terms you should learn regarding the food and the different chains. Knowing these terms will help you negotiate the best contract possible.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Dim sum

Dim sum in Chinese means 'touch the heart.' These small dishes of steamed food and dumplings are linked to the Chinese tradition of tea drinking, and are very popular In Chinese cuisine chains.

I recommend: Visit The Global Gourmet for a great deal of information on dim sum. Sam Woo is a restaurant chain with a Hong Kong style, and the dim sum is a specialty.

Chinese buffet

Chinese buffet has seen an immense increase in popularity, and there is usually a wide range of food available in the buffet.

I recommend: Pei Wei Asian Diner is a chain with a style known as "fast casual." The buffet is one option, where guests can choose from the food on counters.

Carry-out, take-out

Carry-out and take-out are terms applied to fast food, especially Chinese, which is purchased at the restaurant and eaten at home or elsewhere. Sometimes these chains don't even have an area for eating at the establishment, as all the food is packed 'to-go.'

I recommend: See Little China Express for the way one chain delivers take out food. The United States Department of Agriculture has a fact sheet on the safe handling of take-out food.

Chinese wok

The wok is a cooking pan with a round bottom that can be used for frying as well as steaming, braising or smoking. It is usually made from cast-iron or carbon steel. In restaurants woks are placed on ranges made specifically to hold them.

I recommend: Panda Express is one of the most prolific exponents of wok cooking, with more than 1200 restaurants throughout America. Visit Allstrong Restaurant Equipment for visuals and specifications of a wok range.

Fusion

Fusion is the mix or combinations of cultures and traditions in food. American/Chinese is one such fusion. Many Chinese food chains have taken the popularity of fusion to heart.

I recommend: Read about Indian/Chinese fusion food at BNet. Tangra Masala is a chain of Chinese/Indian restaurants and is reviewed on TripAdvisor.

Stir fry

Stir frying in a Chinese restaurant happens when food is fast fried, usually at a high temperature, in a wok. A small amount of cooking oil is used, and ingredients are tossed quickly.

I recommend: bd's Mongolian Grill is a "create your own stir fry" restaurant chain where guests choose their own ingredients to be cooked. Check out Chinese Food DIY for instructions on how to stir fry.