Streamlining Operations

Resolve inefficiencies and run your restaurant like a well-oiled machine.

TREND 2

Streamlining Operations

TECHNOLOGY AND A STABLE LABOR FORCE ARE THE KEYS TO RESTAURANT SUCCESS

Restaurant operators received a crash course in operational streamlining the past couple of years. Examining daily, weekly, and monthly procedures that are carried out by everyone from management to back of house often uncovers inefficiencies that can be solved with the addition of new technologies, a more balanced labor force, or a look at customer data.

HOW TECHNOLOGY HELPS WITH CUSTOMERS

Investing in technology means being open to exploring POS systems and software that can track performance functions such as sales and customer interactions, online ordering, food waste, and inventory management. All these tools help to manage an operation more efficiently and discover more about customers.

HOW TECHNOLOGY HELPS WITH STAFF

Investing more time and energy in employee training and development will help ensure that your staff can handle the demands of the job, improve efficiency, and elevate the customer experience. Basic training can include additional food handling instruction, safety protocols, or general customer service training. Tech-assisted scheduling software can help with scheduling, bundling job tasks, recruiting, AI-assisted hiring, finding backup employees, and more. New tech they may need training on includes POS machines, handheld ordering tablets, BOH kitchen displays. Technology can’t help with the one-on-one communication needed between operators and team members. Keep conversations flowing about what’s happening with the business. If staff is worried, talk about it.

EARNING YOUR STARS
Restaurants with mentions of “great price,” “affordable,” and “worth it” tend to receive the highest average star ratings from guests, while mentions of “charge,” “pay,” “overpriced,” “waste of money,” and “not worth it” tend to garner the lowest average star ratings in online reviews. High star ratings are given for “delicious” and “fresh” food, “friendly” service, and a “clean” environment.

HOW TECHNOLOGY HELPS SAVE MONEY ON FOOD COSTS AND LABOR

With the right customer data at your disposal, planning is a breeze. Offer delivery, curbside pickup, and/or takeout by looking at existing data and deciding which method (or all three) would save you the most time/money on labor. Investigate, in real time, which menu items are top sellers and which others are falling short of their goals. Restaurant profits can increase by up to 15% with regular menu engineering.

CLOSING TIME
As of October 2022, the average restaurant is now open for 6.4 fewer hours per week than it was in 2019, and restaurants are closing earlier than ever, with many shutting their doors by 8 or 9 p.m.

_{^{Sources: Modern Restaurant Management, Customer Intelligence Is Key to Revolutionizing Restaurants Inside and Out (Jan. 2022); Blackbox Intelligence, Widespread Slowdown of YOY Sales and Traffic Growth Continues for All Restaurant Segments (Aug. 2022); Datassential Blog, Restaurants Reduce Hours By 7.5% Nationwide (Oct. 2022).}}