Managing a restaurant may be a rewarding yet challenging job. The owner or supervisor of a successful restaurant must be able to manage both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. That requires juggling everything from hiring and training workers to choosing your menu and any day-to-day changes, purchasing ingredients, beverages, dishes, and other kitchen and dining room essentials, and preparing to-go and pick-up orders, among other tasks. Maintaining profitability might be difficult with all of these responsibilities.
Restaurant owners sometimes focus more on changes they can make to the front-of-house, such as boosting prices or promoting liquor sales, to help raise profit margins. Smart restaurant owners, on the other hand, understand that a well-run kitchen may help cut expenses and increase profits. Growing food and paying for workers can be costly, but fortunately, there are various ways to save money in your commercial kitchen.
Begin by paying closer attention to your energy bills. Instead of rinsing dishes with hot water, soaking them in warm water before loading them into the dishwasher can help loosen food residue. Using your dishwasher only when it’s entirely full will help you save money on water and electricity. Cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils of your walk-in refrigerator, as well as organizing the food in it so that air can flow, will help you save even more money on energy.
Food deliveries can consume a significant amount of time for your kitchen staff. Consider contracting with fewer suppliers and minimizing the number of times you receive delivery to help save money. While you may buy a lot of fresh produce, buying shelf-stable or frozen meals can help you save money on food.
Take a closer look at the serving sizes because food costs are a key part of your budget. Food waste is increased when portions are too large, and profit margins are reduced. Create consistent servings for each dish, and even using smaller plates and bowls can help diners perceive the portions as larger and more enticing.
During slow seasons, you might also try training some of your front-of-house workers in various job positions to assist with some kitchen tasks. Purchasing more energy-efficient kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, cooktops, and deep fryers, can help you save money in the long run.
Check out the resource below for more information on how to increase your profit margins.
