My company (a tennis/fitness/country club) is considering starting a
valet service for our club members.  Essentially, we have run out of
parking in our main lot and need to send some cars to an overflow lot
a block away.  We have already secured the necessary rights to operate
at that lot.  I have been asked to put together a feasability study
and design the operations for how this would work.  However, I know
absolutely nothing about how a valet business runs.  I don't know how
many people it takes (perhaps it is a function of volume, or perhaps
it is based on the physical attributes of the parking lots invloved). 
I don't know ANYTHING about how to operate such a business.  So, what
I need is a detailed description of how a valet service operates. 
Does there need to be one person who does nothing but sit in the
second lot to monitor the vehicles parked there (it is an otherwise
unmonitored lot)?  Assuming we were to do this at no charge to our
members, are they expected to tip?  Would the valets take the car if
there is room in the main lot?  I know these are random questions, and
they are not expected to be exhaustive, but rather to indicate the
depth of my ignorance regarding valet parking services.  Any and all
help as to how we would run such a thing would help me out a lot. 
Once I have a feel for the operations, I can easily put together the
financial impact, etc...

Thank you!!!

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Clarification of Question by tnsdan-ga on 23 Feb 2006 08:49 PST

As a clarification- I am not yet interested in simply sub-contracting
an existing valet business to handle this for us.

This sounds horribly like a 'homework' project.

However, on the off chance that someone is testing your acumen ...

This hardly needs a 'business plan' 
- there are few financial connotations
- just a few simple concepts

1) Of course you need someone to mind the remote lot
   - people are entrusting you with high value cars
   - it does not have to be one dedicated person

2) Where are you going to keep the car keys ?

3) How will you identify the car keys ?

4) Where do you keep the 'warm bodies'
   - by the club house (a rabble), or in the lot ?
   - how do you communicate ?

6) You need some sort of uniforms to inspire confidence
   - since the golf club is the initial beneficiary, blag them
   - white gloves and a staff T-Shirt is a starting point

7) You need 'surplus capacity' - cover for 'no shows'
   - cover for unexpectedly busy days
   - people who are either around, or will drop everything to work for you

As for not charging, that is plain daft, charge a low but acceptable
fee, people normally tip better when they have their wallets out.
- plus you'll look like suckers otherwise

It would be a spectacularly good idea to look at two or more car valet
operations - chat to the guys - or even use them and pick their
brains.

In essence, the way I see it, is you set up a mini-franchise,
establish headquarters down at the lot and everyone is paid what they
earn, less a deduction which is equally split amongst the present
'established' standby drivers aka lot minders.

It would be a smart idea to establish certain principles
1) Driving tests to check that valets are competent
   (in essence a public relations exercize)
2) Dress code
3) No speed testing
4) Max numbers - determined by the Sports Club .. not you
   - otherwise the 'club house' in the lot is disbanded
5) No more than two valets visible at the Club entrance
6) Never carry a passenger in the car back to the Sports Club
6) Don't let the lot deteriorate into a shambles

If this is, as I suspect, some form of 'homework', then you need to
think about bicycles to get guys back from the lot to take the next
car.
- realistically not necessary, as they can make their own way back
with surplus labour
- but they have first claim on the 'delivery' - which is when the wallet is out.

Logistics planning is often setting up the appropriate financial and
social parameters.

I would consider restricting a portion of your present parking lot as
a buffer area for the valet parking.  Persons could park there
(convenience) and the valets could move the cars out.  This should
eliminate tie-ups at rush times.  Members could have the desk call to
have cars retrieved and returned to the buffer area.

I agree with Fred that it shouldn't be free, but you have then the
problem that some members will be able to use the club's own remaining
parking for free, which is unfair, since others' schedules will
preclude them from ever finding a spot there.

Ratty (MyOarIn - as in: Wind in the Willows)

- is right, but you can fill the car park with clunkers

Also, and this is seditious, but it will happen anyway, 
- you will land up offering a 'drive home service'.

- I suspect this is an academic exercize
- but if I am wrong then you need to watch out for certain developments
- they are inevitable, client initiated, hard to control.

Probably best to walk away

- say, I want to do vice when, I'm old and buy it
- walk away, possibly give a clue why you are doing what you do

There is a lot to be said for splashing around in the shallows.

`Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolute nothing --
half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.'  Ratty  
;-)

Belting Stoats and Weasels comes a good second

- all too necessary