Top 5 Ways to Reduce Restaurant Expenses

Running a restaurant is undeniably pricey. As an owner, you already know that your list of expenses can seem endless. Big-ticket items like rent and payroll aside, even small things like updating menus or purchasing a new rack of glassware can add up.

While it’s true that you have to spend money to make money, we have some good news—you don’t have to spend as much. Adora is always looking out for your business, which is why we’re here to fill you in on a few handy tips and tricks on how to get your budget under control.

Read on to learn the top five ways to reduce restaurant expenses: 

Digitize Your Menu

Menus means a lot in the restaurant world, but they can also be a source of unnecessary spending. Every time a guest spills a drink on a menu, your staff accidentally throws one away, or they simply break down due to wear and tear over time, it’s another expense your business has to account for. 

Plus, physical menus often don’t offer enough flexibility for today’s modern world since you can’t update them without reprinting. On the other hand, digital menus can be updated and improved without any additional costs, and you won’t be limited by how many you physically keep on hand. 

Adora allows customers to view your menu via a QR code, so you can check printing menus off of your list of expenses. 

Stop Mistakes Before They Happen

Mistakes cost your business in more ways than one. Situations like preparing the wrong dish, sending a delivery order to the wrong address, or the kitchen losing a ticket all impact the way your guests view your business—plus, these errors cost money.

Of course, some mistakes are inevitable, but Adora’s features are designed to stop many of them before they start. Take a look at how Adora can streamline your operations, keep your customers happy, and cut down on spending money on mistakes:

● Our driver-tracking app means you’ll never lose a delivery order

● Color-coded tickets keep the kitchen line organized 

● Automatic order prioritization means you won’t keep your guests waiting

● Take-out, delivery, and in-house tickets all print directly to the kitchen, so there’s no chance of them getting lost along the way

Taking steps to cut down on mistakes is the ultimate win-win: you’ll save money, your guests will appreciate it, and you’ll drive business (and profits) as an end result. 

Consider Credit Card Fees 

Unfortunately, credit card fees are an inevitable part of taking payments. However, what you might not realize is that not all pricing structures are created equal—and there are ways you can stop giving so much of your hard-earned cash back to credit card companies. 

Most big-box POS systems force you to use their credit card processors. This means you’re also forced to pay their set fees. Adora is different. We’re credit card agnostic, which means you’re free to use whatever credit card processing system you please. 

With Adora, you’ll have the freedom to shop around, compare prices, and find the system that makes the most sense for your business. When you think about how many transactions you process a day, even a difference of a mere percentage point can have a huge impact on your overall spending. 

Inventory is Everything

It’s obvious that you need the right inventory in order to crank out your delicious meals. What might be less obvious is that there are strategies you can use to manage your inventory that will save you significant dough. The best part is, today’s technology means saving money doesn’t have to entail you spending endless hours hunched over invoices. Adora can help you manage your inventory with:

● A centralized inventory database that covers all your locations

● Chain-wide vendor lists

● Detailed projections 

● The ability to manage perpetual inventory as well as ideal vs. actual tracking and reporting

These features help ensure that you’ll never find yourself with too much or too little inventory, and that your orders are accurate, on time, and up to date. 

Do the Math 

Crunching numbers is a key part of managing any kind of budget. When it comes to your restaurant, you need to put a pencil to exactly how much your food and beverage items are really costing you. Conducting a thorough, in-depth audit of all your item’s profit margins will give you insight into which items should be taken off the menu, as well as which items you should encourage your staff to push. Take a look at these tips on how to evaluate the true costs of everything your restaurant sells: 

● Don’t forget to account for small details like garnishes, condiments, etc. 

● Encourage your kitchen and bar staff to measure accurately 

● Evaluate the costs of common guest modifications and requests (ex: extra sauce)

We’re on a Mission to Help You Make (and Save) Money 

Our ultimate goal is to help your business succeed—which means we want to see money going into your pockets and staying there. Not only does our state-of-the-art POS system provide you with all the premier features you need to optimize your operations, but we also put just as much thought into ensuring our platform will help save you some dough. 

Don’t wait to start reducing your expenses. After all, every second counts in this fast-paced industry. Schedule a demo now to see how Adora can reduce your overall expenses—and boost your bottom line!