At the end of the day you may feel pretty good about the current status quo of your restaurant business. Sales are going fairly well, and patrons seem to enjoy your food and service. But you also may feel that somehow your business could be doing better or even be the best in the area. Do you know how to pursue the goal you have envisioned or even how to begin?
One way to start is by creating a restaurant action plan that includes attainable, measurable goals, and that is driven by dedicated leadership and desire to maintain your restaurant’s reputation and your business, profitably. Follow these steps to help reach your goals:
Step One: Review and update your menu
Understanding both the popularity and profitability of every menu item should be a key part of your restaurant action plan. How often do you update your menu? If you are unsure, then it’s time to consider revamping the look and layout of your menu in order to maximize sales.
Do you notice menu items with weak sales? It may be just a matter of where they appear on the menu. A change in layout and item presentation could be all that it takes to boost sales rather than eliminating a food option altogether.
Need help? There are a number of menu engineering boot camps available to get you on the right track. Remember, if you’re going for a full menu make-over, be sure to do it right. Educated, data-informed decisions are essential when tweaking your menu.
Step Two: Determine cost and margins
Since food costs run about one-third of the given retail price, it is important to price dishes properly in order to make a profit. Your restaurant action plan will need to address controlling food costs such as portion control and decreasing food waste.
Another way for you to manage food cost is to select only vendors that offer the lowest prices and maintain consistent product quality. You must also control shrinkage by properly storing food to prevent early spoilage as well as discouraging employees from sampling or wasting more expensive food items.
Step Three: Develop the right restaurant culture
As an owner or manager, your company culture begins with you. It is the glue that binds you and your staff toward a common goal of moving the business forward. An effective restaurant action plan must include this important aspect of your business.
A restaurant culture is like a living thing and greatly depends on you to help it grow. The positive energy that you feed into it spreads and is absorbed by your staff, which helps them stay engaged. This, in turn, is reflected to customers, who take that energy with them, and it inspires return visits to your restaurant.
Step Four: Seek third-party help to stay on track
Committing to a new plan or business culture change is not easy, and keeping on pace with your goals can be tedious if not a bit overwhelming. It’s smart to enlist a mentor or coach to help you follow through with your new restaurant action plan.
Getting a different perspective from someone that knows the restaurant business is vital to your plan’s success. They may give you insights on tactics that you may have never considered. Fresh viewpoints and guidance from another restaurant professional is a positive tool to help you and your business prosper for years to come.
Following these steps will help you develop restaurant action plan objectives that will improve staff efficiency and workflow, enhance food quality and consistency, and create enjoyable customer experiences. Take your first steps today toward greater business success.
