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Executive Summary

The business plan for SALT reflects the opportunity to purchase the building, assets and leasehold improvements a restaurant currently operating in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica. The current owner is interested in selling the operations ($415,000.00), and/or renting the facility, including all bar furniture, restaurant equipment, disco equipment, speakers and liquor license ($2,185.00/month) as part of a lease purchase agreement. Our goal is to submit this business plan to US/CR investors for the minor investment of $25,000.00-$30,000.00. This amount will allow us to purchase the building and provide enough cushion through cash-flow to run the operation for 1 year. In this time we will prove our concept and by our current, conservative figures, earn $317,000.00 profit in the first year, doubling in the second year and tripling in the third where we believe profits will return annually over $1 Million dollars. The investors will earn a 25% stake in the entire operation. John Ryan, the proprietor will be investing $25,000.00 of his own funds, plus equipment and living quarters for management into the venture and run the day to day operations.

The location is on a beach access block and is only 30 yards away from the world famous BEATLE BAR, one of the most successful bars in all of Costa Rica and one of the most renowned bars in the booming surf town of Jaco beach. The rent in our location is less than that of the Beatle Bar and offers an exponential opportunity for sales.
Currently, the restaurant is not maximizing its full potential. The business only opens in the evenings for sinner and there is no entertainment. It is managed by locals who are not catering to the tens of thousands of U.S. tourists and expatriates. We intend to maximize the value of the operation by “transforming” operations and being a “transformative” facility. In the morning we will be a popular breakfast hot spot with traditional DINER fare from the United States and “Comida Tipica” (local Tico fare), catering to U.S. expatriates. We will then transform to a vibrant lunch venue with amiable, but laid back, guitarists/musicians who play classic Jimmy Buffet, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and beach favorites all afternoon (think Key West). As the afternoon winds down, we will again transform and host Jaco’s best Happy Hour from 5-7 PM with $1.00 beers, appetizer specials and shooter girls. Live music will continue, intermingling with jukebox favorites which will be monitored by the bar to assure that a lively atmosphere is maintained as we enter the dinner hours. We will serve the best seafood dinners in town at value prices (with restaurant service expected by North Americans) from 5-10PM and then with one final transformation we will have the best outdoor, Bossa Nova lounge party and music venue that will go until the early hours of the morning. This will definitely make the local news.

This turnkey operation can seat up to 250 customers and is the perfect size for the SALT concept. With the current leasehold improvements and quality kitchen equipment it would take very little to upgrade this operation to SALT’s winning formula (current inventory attached).

The growth in numbers of high income individuals traveling to the Costa Rica and specifically the Jaco area is projected at over 30%. There is a need for a GRINGO style restaurant in Jaco and the management team intends to provide it. SALT will be THE place to go in Jaco, for Breakfast, Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner and after hour entertainment.

SALT will be run by John Ryan who has over 12 years of restaurant management experience. John has managed 3 and 4 star restaurants in New York City and seafood restaurants in the Hamptons.

SALT will have a prime location, great food, a proven concept, (think an adult, laid back version of Senor Frogs, Carlos and Charlies in Acapulco), a senior management and crew, a fantastic neighborhood marketing program, a huge catering base to build on, personalized service and the support of the community resulting in a highly profitable SALT restaurant in Jaco Beach.

1.1 Mission

SALT’s mission is to fill a much needed void in Jaco beach. When traveling to different vacation spots in Latin American countries, Americans very much like to take in the local flavor – that flavor is very often provided by local restaurants and locally run businesses. But without fail, Americans on vacation will congregate to the most familiar vibe, the prettiest bartender and the best food/service. We intend to provide all three of these things for Jaco Beach.
Additionally, the service in restaurants in Jaco Beach fall WAY below the minimum standard for Americans. We intend to breathe fresh air into this void, training our servers to smile, anticipate a customers needs, complement their orders with drink suggestions and overall, appear happy to be engaging with the customer. This simple one deviation from the status quo in Jaco will put SALT head and shoulders above the rest.

1.2 Objectives

The objective is to purchase the building, immediately own the current assets and leasehold improvements of the “SALT” restaurant and convert the existing restaurant to a profitable and successful SALT unit. We plan to duplicate the successful formula used at Carlos and Charlie’s and Senor Frogs in Mexico which have been hugely successful for over 20 years. Using the same strategies and having an in-depth management and staff crew to back us up will ensure outstanding results at this new fast-growing location. Our objectives are as follows:

1. Provide the highest quality food and service that the community has been clamoring for since the small beach town started catering to Americans and Canadians 15 years ago.
2. Create an atmosphere where each person can work as a team member, with clear goals and high standards that benefit everyone.
3. Combine marketing strategies with smiles and service to build volume quickly.
4. First year sales to hit between $300,000.00 and $350,000 with 75% growth in first few years.
5. High Gross margins through large volume.
6. Be a transitional restaurant: Hearty breakfasts, Beach Pub lunches with music, Happy Hours Daily, relaxed but elegant dinners and Bossa-Nova into the wee hours.
7. Maintain food and labor costs through simple but elegant fare.
8. Become the landmark restaurant/nightclub for Jaco beach.
9. Be the fastest growing restaurant in Costa Rica.
10. Book solid musical acts and DJ’s who have a following and can bring people in the door.

1.3 Keys to Success

1. “SALT” – Out of the gate we must have this brand signify quality, service, value and laid back attitude. All our employees must convey these messages at all times.
2. Laid back atmosphere will communicate, “This is your place – enjoy yourself” – at all times.
3. Current management staff and potential crew has a great deal of experience.
4. Community outreach. We must reach out to the Chambers of Commerce, local municipal leaders and police to let them know we want to contribute to the community be in compliance with all laws and regulations and give back whenever we can.
5. Great relations with our purveyors. We want to purchase our produce from the local markets, supporting our neighbors and getting the freshest foods available.
6. Location, Location, Location! 1 block from the beach in Costa Rica’s most vibrant surf town. Literally we are In the CENTER of it all.
7. Promotions. We will be using promoters to bring in party guests – they will market in Jaco as well as in San Jose for weekly events. With the completion of the new highway and bridges (completed in 2010) it is now only 1 hour and 15 minutes from the capital city.
8. Management that treats every employee equally. We create an atmosphere where employee’s love coming to work and can earn good money.
9. Consistency. We will always serve our quality fare with a smile and a “customer comes first” attitude.
10. Value. Our prices will always be less expensive than our competition – and we will consistently serve a higher quality product.
11. We must always be perceived as the place for good times, making our guests feel welcome and appreciated.
12. Great employees make for a great restaurant. We will hire the best in the business.

If you are interested in investing in SALT restaurant in Jaco Beach Costa Rica contact John at 713.586.9409. All investments are done at the risk of the person reading this, and news.co.cr has nothing to with this restaurant, we are simply disseminating information for the public to review. If you have a press release or business release you would like sent out to readers in Costa Rica, please contact us at your convenience.