Failure to Launch: Is Space 220’s Opening Delayed?
Epcot, we have a problem! Has Space 220’s opening been delayed?
One of the most highly anticipated events at Epcot in 2019 was the opening of Space 220. The space-themed restaurant located near Mission: SPACE was supposed to open in the winter of 2019. However, the Executive Chef left his role to return to Las Vegas and the opening was pushed back to February 2020.
At this time, it appears the Executive Chef role which was posted 2 months ago is no longer accepting applications. However, there still appears to be a large number of job openings for this new restaurant.
Job Openings
As of last night (January 14, 2020 11:26 PM EST) the following job postings were still listed for Space 220 on Delaware North’s website:
- Host
- Runner and Busser
- Dining Room Cashier
- Dishwasher
- Sous Chef
- Cook
- Restaurant Manager
On Monster.com, we found a listing for a Restaurant Manager posted 7 days ago and a listing for a Sous Chef that was just posted yesterday! The amount of time and training it would take to properly prepare a Sous Chef is just one more reason to believe the opening will be delayed yet again.
Consulting With A Pro
Upon speaking with a former restaurant consultant and manager, we learned some interesting facts about the restaurant business as a whole. When starting up a new restaurant, there is a timeline for which staff is hired to ensure proper training and preparation for opening.
Depending on their involvement in menu development and buildout, an Executive Chef would likely be hired 6-8 months prior to opening and managerial staff at least 4 months prior. Cooks, bartenders, and servers typically require at least 4 weeks of training before opening a brand new location.
While it is not uncommon to hire some positions up until the last minute (bussers, porters, dishwashers, runners etc.), the managerial staff should be well-established months prior to opening.
Will Space 220’s Opening Be Delayed?
At this rate, it appears there are so many job listings we aren’t feeling very confident in a February opening.
In a situation where a company has multiple restaurants that fall under them (ie. Patina Group), it is not uncommon for managers and/or chefs to move from one restaurant to another. Perhaps that is what will need to happen for Space 220’s opening.
At this time, Disney has not issued an official opening date, nor have reservations opened up for Space 220. We will continue to keep you posted with Space 220’s opening updates right here at MickeyBlog.
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