Easy-peasy ways to be an excellent restaurateur
In the restaurant business you have to be on top of your game at all times. You need a cohesive team that operates with streamlined communication and you need to be willing to do what it takes to make that happen.
In this business in particular, the customer is always right. If they say their food is cold, their meat is tough or their pasta is overcooked then it is.
Even if it isn’t. It is, because they say so and you want their repeat business. The trick is to run your restaurant in a way that ensures you know exactly what is going on at all times.
The best of the best eateries don’t allow for mistakes. When a problem occurs that is out of their control, they have enough information and systems in place to mitigate the issue. And, the only way to access this type of information is through the tools they have in place. These tend to alleviate commonplace concerns such as overbooking reservations, running out of stock and not having enough staff on any given night.
Consider the following tools to assist you with running an effective, efficient and excellent restaurant.
Point of sale software
A point of sale software (PoS software) system is where you’ll input the orders from clientele, create bills and capture payment methods. Also, this system indicates the designated areas that each waiter will work for their shift which means you can pinpoint any issue and those involved quite easily. Robust PoS software allows you to completely tailor the system to how you run your restaurant. You can change orders if necessary and add in modifications to various meals. For instance, listing additions to meals or ingredient removals or even ways the client’s meat should be cooked. All this information is sent through to the kitchen in the form of a ticket. This is exceptionally efficient as the staff don’t have to run back and forth to the kitchen to put their orders in and it works as a data capturing system.
Inventory management and control
Inventory control is a tricky business. Often the most difficult part of running a restaurant as you’re constantly needing to keep tabs on your stock. Your PoS software will certainly assist with inventory control but ideally you want a senior staff member to manage this part of the business. Choose either a senior and most trustworthy waiter or the kitchen manager to run this part of the business with you. Have checklists and make sure to consolidate at the end of each month. Make sure to concentrate on your sell-by dates on your perishable food items. When the food is unopened but nearing a sell-by date then have your chef or kitchen manager set-up specials to prevent the food from being wasted.
Reservation systems
An excellent reservation system is so much more than one that simply puts the names in the book of the expected customers. It serves as a system which allows you to get to know your customers by name and further indicates who your repeat customers are. If you’re ever running specials then you can contact your loyal customers and give them first option on joining you for your Champagne Thursday special or your Fancy Friday lunchtime buffet. What’s more, a good reservation system keeps track of each waiter’s section and if an issue occurs with a customer who made a reservation you can handle it in a personalised “by name” manner.