Owning a restaurant is a challenging task that gives a pleasant feeling of challenge. Restaurant owners, thinking beyond the possibilities is essential to keep your restaurant operational and competitive. You can easily adapt to the needed changes in terms of menu items, staff morale, and the like. However, dealing with the aspects of cost-saving, financial sustainability, and management is stressful, especially if you are a start-up.
If you are struggling with the cost-saving ideas that you can do in your business, you do not need to worry much because you can increase the profitability of your restaurant while implementing cost-effective processes. Remember that it is not a golden rule that you need to hassle-hard because it all depends on the risks and opportunities you have in your business.
Here are some of the cost-saving ideas that you can follow to diversify your restaurant business.
Minimize your food waste
When a restaurant owner is not paying attention to the amount of food waste, it increases its expenses. Once your food waste increases, it also increases your expenses, which reduces your profits. It would be best if you pay attention to every little detail of your restaurant. It may be small, but it creates an impact on your restaurant.
Identifying the source will help you prevent waste in your business
It is also a good opportunity to understand the system and processes in the long-run. For example, you notice that there is always an excess in the sauce of your customers. The alternative solution for that situation is to allow them to pour the sauce depending on their amount. Observe the customers. Some may want a minimal amount of sauce, some do not want to put any, or some want a huge amount. In this situation, you can already satisfy their desires and minimize food waste.
Another example of food waste is the massive consumption of fruits to make juice. If your employees are struggling to get the juice, you can buy a squeezer, either metal or plastic. In this manner, your employees will not be having a hard time preparing juices for the customers. It can also increase their productivity and focus on other aspects.
Also, if you are having a hard time keeping up with the drinks, you can maximize jiggers. Remember, cutting costs does not necessarily mean getting a hefty budget. Go directly to the source, and make it simple.
Treat your employees well
Labor costs comprise most of the portion of your expenses. Your employees provide service to deliver quality foods and beverages to your customers. And once you treat them well, your business will also begin to prosper. The labor that they provide is your business asset. Take note, no matter how caliber your equipment, materials, or things, it will be useless if no one will use it for you. The same concept will apply in your restaurant; if you do not have approachable, capable, and charismatic employees, you will not be able to attract customers or fill them with positive energy.
Keep your team happy and as much as possible because they can radiate the positive energy that you will need to increase your sales. Ensure that you provide your staff the materials they need, talk to them, listen to their suggestions and feedback, give them the freedom to explore their creativity, and relax about the productivity they can bring to your business.
Implement strict rules and boundaries
Enforcing strict rules does not mean that you need to punish your employees for their mistakes – do not practice it because it is a bad habit for your business. Instead, focus on the ways that will be easier to understand and follow. It would be best if you will make a list that will inform your staff about the restaurant’s rules and regulations.
Making the rules easy-to-follow will help you know who is accountable for the actions. But, make yourself the role model for the rules that you provided. Remember that once you abuse your power, there is a high possibility that your employees will not trust you anymore. Also, the rules have the power to create and break your business, so manage it carefully.
Look for someone who will handle your cash flow management
Business owners often handle the cash flow management of their business. It is not a bad idea. However, it gives you more burden and responsibility. Managing the cash flow requires time and attention, so letting someone handle it will reduce your stress.
Hiring an accountant will open up opportunities for your business
You can easily understand the processes and the financial strategies that you can take in your business. Remember, hiring a professional will help you improve your management skills and focus on areas that will strengthen your restaurant’s foundation.
Train your employees and invest in quality equipment
Investing your money in quality materials and equipment will help you in the long-run. You can save money by investing in technologies. It can make your employee’s work simpler and easier.
Moreover, do not hesitate to help your staff to operate the machines. Once your staff know and understand the process of handling your machines, their productivity will increase. Having proper training will help you way better than relying solely on trial and error. Proper management and consistency to solidify your business foundation. Once you have the grasps of the transaction, it will be easier to execute and handle.
Proper optimization of your business
Having a proper inventory can help you manage your ingredients and foods. It is beneficial, especially if you do not see any progress at all. Optimization is stressful, but once you grasp the whole idea, you can easily take advantage of your resources.
For example, if you are serving food in your restaurant, pay close attention to your stocks’ expiration dates. It helps you minimize the trouble in case the ingredients are expired. Also, do not hesitate to use the same ingredients on your menu. It boosts your creativeness and minimizes the potential food waste.
You can still save a buck that is not related to your food and beverage—for example, having energy-efficient processes like replacing your lightning and incorporating the safe business strategy. Your money will not go to waste because it can help you save in the long-run.
Give your staff incentives
One of the ways to keep your restaurant performance topnotch, give your staff occasional rewards. It is subjective in nature and may often require time to accomplish. It is not a money-saving strategy, but it can boost the morale of your staff. If your staff are inspired and have enough motivation, you can easily divert it as a way to save money.
Having a reward system can help drive the staff to pay close attention to their work and be careful with their tasks. It may lead to high-level work performance and help you cut costs of your expenses. In this regard, it would be best if you will implement disciplinary measures, especially for people who are not correctly following the rules. It is a cost-effective strategy to discourage your staff from making shady actions.
Remove the unpopular items in your menu
Following the crowd idea is not always an excellent idea. It is especially true when your menu does not compliment each other. Remember that having fancy yet unnecessary menu items can lead to disaster and might scare away the customers.
Take the costs of the items that are not profitable. There is a high possibility that your ingredients will naturally expire first before getting a profit. It would be best if you purge the unprofitable items to save money.
Maximize the Internet
The internet is full of possibilities and potentials, and you can use it as a platform for affordable advertising. Take into account the expenses that you will incur in printing ads and campaigns. It is a cost without direction. You can use social media to maximize your advertisement process. It is affordable, and it can also reach potential customers.
Moreover, it would be great to get a representative on popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Creating these groups will cost you nothing, although you can switch to a paid advertisement, which is also essential. It does not cost that much, but it can vastly increase your sales.
Make a budget and Manage your Inventory
One of the ways to cut costs is to have your reference point, which is your budget. In simple terms, it would be best if you determine your budget to manage your cost-cutting process. Keep in mind that your budget is not just a number. It is precisely the money you come up with to sustainability your restaurant and error margins.
One of the cost-savings strategies is keeping an inventory. It may sound challenging, but as long as you hire someone who can work hand in hand with you, you will not have a problem. Getting an accountant and inventory staff will help you with your business cost-cutting. You can also upgrade your skills and enroll in effective and affordable courses.
Restaurants rely solely on their inventory
Without it, they will lose customers. In the restaurant industry, use the kitchen items to know how many items have left and get insights on how to maximize the current processes. Making a budget and managing the inventory is energy-efficient.
Host and Handle Events
It is now trendy in the restaurant industry. You invite famous entertainers and bands to attract customers. It is a great strategy, but it is quite expensive for a promotion. Instead of inviting and paying for events, it would be awesome if your restaurant will be the host of the event. For example, a live gig every Friday can be a fresh start. You may not earn from it, but your restaurant will be a haven for artists and a place for entertainment when the time is right.
Hosting events is a one time shot for restaurants. It is a way for them to step out, promote their product and items. It is an advertisement cost without your direct participation.
Cope up with the changing technology
The world keeps changing. It is evolving and gives it time, and more advanced units will be available in the market. It does not mean that you are required to change immediately. But it can be a sign to think about an upgrade.
If you will notice, upgrading costs a lot, especially if you are shifting to newer equipment. Still, it can help you save money by maintaining and improving the productivity of your staff.
Many restaurants are now into the point of sale (POS) system
It is an energy-efficient computer that links the main computer to different checkout channels. Your customers can use it and get the food that they want to order. POS reduces the hassle of lining up for minutes to order. You can also directly check the price of the food that your customer wants.
Regularly Audit after shifts
Auditing after shifts may take you around 20 minutes of your time; that is why restaurants think of this as a tedious task. But, if you want to keep your restaurant topnotch daily audits are a must. It helps you identify the discrepancies and correct them in case it happens again. It also enables you to identify who is accountable for errors and save for future endeavors.
One of the best ways to maximize your workers’ load is to close your restaurant early. For example, you are scheduled to close at 11 PM, and you can close it at 9:45 PM to give time in auditing. Once you know the current sales, you can easily make another recipe that you will surely love with your customers.
Bottom Line
Restaurants need to make their own moves to cut the cost of their expenses. They can start with the menu that they are serving. Remember, no matter how pleasant-looking the food is, people will not appreciate it if not appropriate. You should also consider the kitchen. It is the haven of foods, so make it as neat as possible, like a safe place. Reducing the costs without proper application is not worth it. Go directly to the root of the problem and act accordingly. You can practice the processes above to reduce the costs. Keep your restaurant on the top, and serve quality foods.
