Certain costs go into running a business, such as retail space, food costs, and employee wages. However, there are a lot of extra fees that can add up quickly and spell disaster for aspiring restauranteurs. There are several ways to cut down on your restaurant expenses and keep your business afloat without sacrificing quality, consistency, or service.
Create a Sustainable Menu
A sustainable menu is when most of the items on your menu utilize the same essential ingredients. For example, many Mexican restaurants have sustainable menus thanks to several of the entrée options using a combination of tortillas, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and beans in different ways. Menu sustainability is a great way to reduce overall costs while still creating a good menu. If only one item on your menu uses chanterelle mushrooms, it’s a good idea to either remove that item from the menu or work that ingredient into more options.
Invest in Digital Menus
Many restaurants utilize new technology, and digital tablet menus are a good investment for your business. While printed menus may seem like the more cost-effective option, digital menus are better in the long run. After the initial investment of the technology, restaurateurs don’t lose additional expenses on needing to reprint menus to incorporate new items. Often, they start noticing the reduced costs within only a few months.
Environmental Lighting
A great way to cut down on your restaurant expenses is to pay attention to how much money you typically spend on electricity. The cost of lighting alone is enough to drive some restaurants out of business. Instead of keeping your lights running throughout the entire restaurant, consider making some changes. Allow the natural sunlight to illuminate most of your restaurant during the day, and use distinct bulbs to create a better mood in the evening. Unless a bright interior is a core part of your restaurant’s aesthetic, many guests enjoy a cozier touch that can help you save money.
