Working in the restaurant industry, no matter your position in the company, the first priority is ensuring steady business and satisfying your customers. As Hattiesburg continually grows and competition increases, Chesterfields, a locally owned casual-fine dining restaurant, struggles in consistent sales and customer satisfaction. Chesterfields, conveniently located across from USM, battles with the booming business in West Hattiesburg as it becomes more developed towards Oak Grove. In evaluating the different facets of Chesterfields and performance of the business as a whole, the advantages and disadvantages will be illustrated and alternatives for improvement will be proposed.
With a relaxed atmosphere and broad menu, it is simple to see why Chesterfields can be a pleasurable dining experience for anybody. Unlike many of the typical chain restaurants, Chesterfield’s food is cooked fresh, many of our entrees, sides, and sauces are handmade by our chefs and adds a unique variety to otherwise ordinary food, such as the crab stuffed crawfish ribeye. The menu, stretching over five pages, offer appetizers, soups, salads, seafood, steaks, chicken, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, desserts, a full bar, and lunch specials. If money is the concern, no problem, although Chesterfields call itself “casual fine dining,” the prices are relatively low. All lunch specials are under ten dollars and includes one side item- while dinner entrees, such as chicken and seafood, served with two sides costs between $10-$20. Looking to do it big? The most expensive menu item is the 18oz. crab stuffed filet at $35.99, served with two sides and salad you are guaranteed to leave well fed.

Chesterfields is also architecturally well established. The inside layout allows for a lot of space to avoid feeling overcrowded and absorbs the sound so the noise level never increases too high. There are four primary dining areas inside Chesterfields: Sunroom, Private Dining, Main Dining, and the Bar. The Sunroom offers a wall-to-wall window view of Hardy Street and is most popular during lunch because it is the brightest spot in the restaurant. Private Dining allows for parties up to fifty people and is often booked during holiday seasons. Unlike most chain restaurant, Chesterfields accepts reservations of eight or more, making it easier for large groups to manage a dinner party. Main Dining is the center of the restaurant with a fountain in the middle, the large area is very comfortable and also allows room for parties of ten or more to situated. Finally, the bar allows for patrons to enjoy the games on the HD TVs at the bar or the booths and tables surrounding it. Adjacent to the bar is our patio area that provides an environment for smokers who no longer enjoy smoking inside. With plenty of seating options for any size party, what other reason do you need to visit Chesterfields? The answer is “Partio on the Patio,” our Wednesday night patio and bar fiesta with a live music. Located at the intersection of Hardy St. and Hwy. 49, Chesterfields finds itself across from the University of Southern Mississippi, up the street from Forrest General Hospital, and down the street from the Convention Center. Unfortunately, location, layout, low prices and gratifying food are not enough to operate a business. Despite the many advantages, Chesterfields also has a long list of disadvantages.

West Hattiesburg towards Oak Grove is constantly building homes and businesses and gradually more people are moving further from the inner city of Hattiesburg. While the location for Chesterfields would seem ideal, it has suffered the backlash of West Hattiesburg booming. People are unlikely to drive down Hardy Street with the grueling traffic and nonstop construction when more options are now available to them in West Hattiesburg, such as TGI Fridays or Wintzell’s Oyster House.

katy was shot at 5:11 PM