I blanked for a second because it sounds deceptively simple.
Treat the restaurant as a product launch: start by understanding the campus user needs and constraints, then design a concept and menu that fits, and finally plan a phased rollout with clear success metrics. Emphasize data-driven decisions and iteration, just as you would for a digital product.
Pro tip: Frame your answer around Google's product development lifecycle (e.g., user research, MVP, metrics) to show you think like a Googler. Mention that you'd validate demand with a pop-up or pilot before committing to a full build-out.
Conduct surveys, interviews, and observational studies with campus employees to understand their dining preferences, pain points, and willingness to pay. Identify peak times, dietary trends, and competition from existing options.
Based on research, define the restaurant concept (cuisine, service model, price point) and create a menu that appeals to the target audience. Consider operational constraints like kitchen space and supply chain.
Develop a business plan including budget, staffing, suppliers, and logistics. Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and negotiate lease terms with campus administration.
Launch a minimal viable offering (e.g., pop-up, limited menu) to test demand and gather feedback. Use metrics like daily customers, average spend, and satisfaction scores to refine the concept.
Based on pilot results, execute a full launch with marketing, partnerships, and possibly expansion to other campuses. Continuously monitor KPIs and iterate to improve.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.