Know-How Exchange : Taglines/Names

For a "perfect" name, you should probably start with a clear picture of your primary target audience. Who are the folks most likely to eat at your new restaurant? Where do they live? Where are they eating today? What would it take to get them to try a new restaurant? How do they learn about new restaurants?

If you're in a resort community, your target audience will be somewhat different than if you are in Midtown Manhattan. If you're off the beaten path, you will likely appeal to a different crowd than if you're downtown, next to a bunch of offices and commercial buildings. Etc.

And the name will depend on all of those things. Maybe you want some reference to your town/city or a nearby landmark. There are lots of alternatives.

As for your specific question, it is quite researchable. It kind of depends on who you're trying to appeal to. Have you talked to any of your prospective patrons? You can suggest a few different names to those folks and see what THEY find most appealing. After all, it's not OUR opinions that count, and not even YOUR (or your partner's) opinion. The name is supposed to get customers into the restaurant, right?

You won't find the perfect name, but a great brand name serves as a strong symbol of your restaurant's unique culture/ambiance.

Technically, "Grill" isn't part of your brand name, it's a descriptor of the type of restaurant your potential customers can expect. Use it (e.g. "Seafood Grill") if it's the best description of your offering.

Ideally, you want a name that'll last and won't tie you down to a specific menu. A "grill" restaurant may be great if serving lots of grilled food appeals to your target audience. Likewise a "seafood" restaurant might be just the thing. The name may be something obscure that provides a "hipness" factor, or it may be more straightforward so people quickly understand what you're selling. Perhaps start by creating the menu - what you're serving. Then, sketch out what you want the restaurant to look like. Then show both of things around, to see what words people use to describe it.