Running a restaurant isn’t easy. You have licenses to acquire and plenty of hidden costs to cover that you may not have expected. It’s essential to cut costs, but you want to do it in a way that doesn’t sacrifice quality. Here are seven innovative ways restaurants can save money, and you can see which ones are right for your business.
1. Use Lighting To Lower Your Power Bill
Many restaurants open, turn the lights on, and then turn them off at closing time. High electrical bills are enough to run any establishment out of business. It’s a good idea to use your lighting to your advantage. Open the windows during the daytime or use dimmer bulbs in the evening to create ambiance. You’ll save money on power and create a more unique atmosphere.
2. Reinvent Your Dishes
Create a menu that reuses as many key ingredients as possible to cut down on costs for excess ingredients. If you serve shrimp and grits, but that’s the only dish on your menu that uses shrimp, consider removing that item or incorporating shrimp into other menu options. Buying excess ingredients that go to waste is a significant pitfall for restauranteurs.
3. Create a Rewards Program
Rewards programs make your customers feel special and incentivize them to return to your establishment. Something as small as a “buy five appetizers and get one free” deal can bring in many returning customers.
4. Social Media Advertising
Social media has changed the game when it comes to getting the word out. Businesses can create hashtags and have customers post free advertising for them. Reviews on sites like Google or Yelp generate a lot of helpful buzz for local establishments. Instead of paying for more traditional advertising, social media engagement and word and mouth are great ways to spend word of your business for a substantially lower cost.
5. Electronic Menu Options
One innovative way restaurants can save money is by incorporating digital menus. By investing in digital restaurant menu tablets, owners can save money printing multiple menus. Electronic menus also increase the size of each check, as customers enjoy the freedom to explore their options. Another advantage of digital menus is that they’re easy to update if you ever change your entrée options.
6. Provide Delivery Options
More and more restaurants partner with delivery service apps like Grubhub or Doordash. Getting your restaurant on one of these sites is a great way to increase sales. If you’re an exciting restaurant people have never tried before, they’re likely to try your establishment when scrolling through the app.
7. Creative Upselling
Teach your staff that it’s okay to offer suggestions and add-ons. The classic “Would you like fries with that?” still goes a long way in the restaurant business. Don’t be afraid to recommend specials or suggest an appetizer with their meal. And of course, everybody loves dessert.
To make innovative changes to your restaurant, start by learning more about the exciting options available from eMenu International. We have everything you need to set your restaurant up with electronic menus.
