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Managing a Restaurant: 14 Solutions to Common Challenges

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Running a restaurant is no easy feat. Between managing inventory, staff, and day-to-day operations, it can be overwhelming for even the most seasoned restaurateur. However, with the right solutions and systems in place, many of the challenges of restaurant management can be minimized. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore 14 solutions to help you run your restaurant more efficiently.

1. Restaurant Management Software

Investing in restaurant management software can automate many repetitive back-office tasks, saving you significant time and headaches. The right software can handle everything from inventory and ordering to scheduling and accounting. Features to look for include:

  • Point of sale (POS) system to streamline order taking and payment processing
  • Inventory tracking to optimize stock levels and reduce waste
  • Scheduling tools to create staff schedules and assignments
  • Reporting and analytics to identify trends and optimize operations
  • Menu management and pricing options
  • Loyalty and CRM features to engage customers

Popular restaurant management platforms include Toast, Upserve, and Touchbistro. Be sure to choose a solution suited to your specific concept and needs.

2. Inventory Management

Careful inventory management is crucial for restaurants. Invest in a good stock management system to track ingredient levels and place replenishment orders. This helps minimize waste from spoiled produce and prevents stockouts of key ingredients.

Set par levels for each ingredient and assign someone to place orders when stock hits its reorder point. First-in-first-out (FIFO) rotation can ensure older ingredients get used first. Daily or weekly inventory counts help verify system accuracy.

3. Menu Analysis

Analyze your menu sales and profits regularly. Identify which items have strong demand and contribute most to your bottom line. Consider testing new dishes inspired by top sellers.

Meanwhile, look for menu items with weak sales. Can their recipes be tweaked to boost popularity? Should laggard dishes be eliminated altogether? Menu analysis provides data-driven insights to maximize sales and profits.

4. Restaurant Scheduling

Juggling the scheduling needs of multiple staff members is challenging. Restaurant scheduling software can streamline the process significantly. The best programs integrate with payroll, are accessible on mobile, and allow workers to swap shifts or request time off.

Be sure to schedule appropriately for your busiest shifts. Having too many staffers creates unnecessary labor costs, while understaffing leads to poor customer experiences. Forecasting software can help predict labor needs based on past sales patterns.

5. Inventory Management Software

Inventory management software gives restaurants more control over food costs and reduces waste. Features like recipe costing, inventory tracking, and purchase ordering allow you to optimize stock levels and place orders at the best times.

Integrations with food suppliers enable seamless order placement. Perpetual inventory functionality maintains real-time counts for more accurate tracking. Together this creates significant time and cost savings.

6. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Building strong relationships with customers leads to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth. CRM software helps manage contact details, order histories, special occasions, and preferences for VIP regulars.

CRM tools can also power loyalty and rewards programs to give customers incentives to return. Personalized email marketing and special offers help keep your brand top of mind. A quality CRM pays dividends through greater customer retention.

7. Online Ordering and Delivery

Offering online ordering and delivery expands your potential customer base. Diners who may not visit your restaurant can easily order food for takeout or delivery via your website or delivery app integrations.

Ensure your online ordering platforms provide an easy user experience. Offer convenient payment and tipping options. Partner with third-party delivery services to make ordering a breeze. Takeout packaging should transport well and keep food fresh.

8. Restaurant Marketing Automation

Marketing automation software helps restaurants run targeted email and SMS campaigns to increase bookings and upsells. Customers can be segmented by factors like order frequency, special occasions, location, and purchase history.

Triggered campaigns can send birthday offers, reorder reminders, and new menu item announcements. Tracking metrics like open and click-through rates gauges campaign effectiveness. Loyalty programs can also be managed through marketing automation.

9. Table and Floor Management

Efficient table management ensures customers are seated promptly and tables are not left unused. With software, hosts can see updated table statuses, enter bookings, and get alerts when tables are ready for turnover.

Integrated paging system allow staff to quickly clean and reset tables. Floor layouts and table numbers can be configured to match your exact restaurant. Management features reduce wait times and increase covers served.

10. Food Waste Management

A restaurant‘s trash often contains substantial wasted food that could have been repurposed or better portioned. Audit what ends up in your waste bins. Identify preparation processes and menu items where waste is highest.

Bolster training on proper portioning. Repurpose trimmings into stocks and sauces. Monitor plate waste to see which menu items return to the kitchen uneaten most often. Small changes can significantly reduce monthly waste.

11. Labor Cost Controls

Controlling labor costs is crucial for restaurant profitability. Schedule staff strategically at peak periods while reducing overtime. Hire at target labor percentages based on your revenue.

Menu engineering can shift sales towards dishes that require less labor to prepare. Training staff on efficiency and cross-utilization also helps optimize labor. Enforce overtime pre-approvals and send early shift cut notifications during slow periods.

12. Customer Feedback Management

Solicit customer feedback using brief online surveys or feedback cards. Monitor review sites to understand your brand reputation. Respond promptly to complaints and negative reviews.

Software can automate feedback collection via SMS and email. Powerful text analytics help surface key themes and trends. Integrate reviews onto your website to build credibility. Feedback provides insights to improve your customer experience.

13. Restaurant Mobile Apps

A customized mobile app allows customers to conveniently browse menus, place orders, access loyalty programs and make reservations. Apps build brand affinity through frequent customer touchpoints.

The app can also display daily specials, location information, and restaurant hours. Customers can store payment information for expedited checkout. Traffic can be driven through app-only promotions and offers. Mobile apps deliver convenience and facilitate repeat business.

14. Payment Processing

Choose payment processing solutions suited for a busy restaurant environment. Look for fast transaction times, split payment options, and tableside and counter-top systems.

Integrated POS solutions allow for seamless payment acceptance and automated sales data capture. Robust reporting provides key insights into customer spending and menu item profitability. Accept popular digital wallets and contactless payments for maximum convenience.

  • Restaurant management software centralizes vital operations like inventory, scheduling, and reporting.
  • CRM systems build customer relationships and loyalty programs encourage repeat visits.
  • Inventory management and waste reduction controls food costs.
  • Online ordering, table management software, and mobile apps enhance customer convenience.
  • Marketing automation and customer feedback strategies also drive revenue.

While owning a restaurant certainly comes with challenges, implementing the right systems and solutions enables owners to optimize productivity and profitability. Utilizing the solutions detailed above will save you significant time and headaches so you can focus on delighting your guests. With robust operations and satisfied customers, your restaurant is positioned for enduring success.

AlexisKestler

Written by Alexis Kestler

A female web designer and programmer - Now is a 36-year IT professional with over 15 years of experience living in NorCal. I enjoy keeping my feet wet in the world of technology through reading, working, and researching topics that pique my interest.