Michael Karnjanaprakorn

Everyday I go to work, I walk by Republic, and every time I walk by it, I’m always fascinated by it.  Not because they have the best noodles in the world but because they have flipped the restaurant model on it’s head and probably operate one of the most profitable restaurants on Union Square.  Here’s a short list of why I think they have the best business model..

1)  They take all your orders via wireless handheld devices. This is genius because they have a slim chance of messing up your order.  It also prevents them from getting sidetracked and placing your order in the computer 15 minutes after they take it. It’s streamlined to the kitchen and that means I get my food that much sooner which means that I’ll be leaving that much sooner.  Equals $$$ for high turnover rates.

2)  Asian-style seatings. Rather than having wasted spaces and seats, they seat people together on long tables.  You might not know the person sitting directly next to you but it’s ok because it’s asian (Republic is asian-themed).  This allows them to cram in as many people as possible.

3)  Everyone helps everyone. I think all the servers split the tips at the end of the night, so they have an incentive to help each other.  One server brought my food out, another one refilled my drink, and another brought my bill.  This is so efficient, and probably the secret to why they are successful – they flip so many tables.

4)  Menu. It’s so simple.  It’s just noodles.  It’s fast to make.  It’s cheap.  Delicious.

Any other reasons I’m leaving out?

I wish this translated to bars.

Why does it always take forever to close my tab out?
Why are there extra drinks on my tab?  (You can’t argue about extra drinks at 4 AM)
Why does it take forever to order a drink?
Why is there only 1 bartender?
Why is that bartender so slow?
Why did that asshole order 4 mojitos?
Why is there a $50 minimum at this bullshit sports bar?

I can go on forever and forever.  Someone should open up a bar that fixes all these problems…