5 Ways To Improve Your Struggling Restaurant
If your restaurant is struggling to make a profit, then you’re not alone. Declining sales, high costs, and low foot traffic are a common issue in the industry, which is why so many businesses in the sector fail.
The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to turn the situation around; it just requires the right strategy. Even if you’re struggling right now, realise that all you have to do is make a few changes so that your restaurant is more appealing to your customers and the competition.
Assess your situation
You’ll want to start by thinking about your situation, what position are you actually in with your restaurant? This process is an opportunity to think about what might be the problem. Could it be poor service, an outdated menu, high food waste, lack of proper payment methods? You want to think about the sticking points in your business model and how you can correct them and what it will take to do so.
Revamp your menu
The next stage is to do two things:
- Make your food better
- Make your selection smaller
While this might sound strange, simplifying your menu can actually be one of the most powerful things you can do because it allows you to focus on the things that you do well. You’ll notice that many of the best restaurants have very short menus with relatively few options. This is deliberate, and it’s ultimately what makes them so successful. They can focus on their core strengths.
Cut costs without sacrificing quality
The next stage is to reduce your costs where possible. You don’t necessarily have to slash them to the bone, but you want to look for opportunities to reduce them.
Usually, the best way to do this is to negotiate with suppliers or reduce your use of items that are eating away at your margins. Sometimes, this may require replacing expensive ingredients with cheaper ones, but only do that if there’s no discernible difference in the consumer experience.
Improve your interiors
Something as simple as changing the lighting or adding modern restaurant furniture can transform your restaurant business. Remember, most people go to restaurants not just because of the food but also because of how the environment makes them feel. If you can adjust the interior setting to appeal to people’s sensibilities, then they are much more likely to use your service in the future. They are also likely to invite their friends along to your restaurant as well because it’s a nice place to be.
Improved staff training
Improving staff training is also low-hanging fruit when it comes to boosting your restaurant business. If you can find people who are really on the ball and can create a positive culture that rubs up on customers, they’re more likely to use your services. If you have high turnover, on the other hand, and you only focus on A-players, that can really be an issue. Make sure all your procedures are clear from the start.
