How Restaurant Owners Can Handle Sales With Fewer Employees

Restaurants typically generate sales from a bunch of different channels. The sale of food and beverages to your patrons is only one part of it. In addition to this, restaurants can also generate sales through catered events, take-outs, and dining-out. In addition to this, restaurants have seen exponential growth in revenues from food delivery apps like Uber Eats, and Deliveroo in recent years.

While all of this appear straightforward at the outset, they can be quite challenging to new and bootstrapped restaurants - especially during peak hours when the majority of sales happen.

In this article, we discuss various strategies to streamline restaurant sales through the use of technology, reducing operational inefficiencies, and building a multi-faceted workforce.

Let’s jump in!

Operational efficiency is paramount to the success of any restaurant business. One of the key ways to maximize efficiency is through the use of technology - right from the time you take orders, to processing and fulfilling them. For restaurants that deliver food, technology is also critical in keeping customers informed of the latest status.

Implementing a POS system can make taking orders and handling payments a breeze. This allows you to improve customer experience by offering unlimited menu and payment options, track inventory, and provide customer with real-time status updates without any resource constraints.

• Develop an app for your restaurant that allows patrons to browse the menu, place orders, and and even make payments if necessary with a tableside ordering tablet. You could get it outsourced to an external agency, or use a service that lets you build it yourself with no coding. By replacing your printed menu with this app, you could bring down the time spent by your waiting staff on each table, allowing them to spend more time in fulfilling orders rather than just taking them.

• Invest in a virtual phone system that lets you scale. Modern business VoIP providers come with features that let you deploy call center features like call recording, forwarding, and IVR features for a small subscription fee per month. This lets you scale up beyond your daily footfalls, and is very useful for a bootstrapped restaurant owner with limited funds.

• Invest in an inventory management system to keep track of stock levels in real-time. This helps in preventing overstocking or stockouts, reducing food wastage, and optimizing purchasing decisions.

Tap-and-go (or contactless) payment options, like mobile wallets, speed things up at the cashier, and customers love the convenience.

Utilize data analytics tools to analyze customer preferences, popular menu items, and peak hours. This information can be used to optimize the menu, pricing strategy, and nuanced operational processes. Most POS systems come with such features that you can check out.

Set up chatbots and AI-driven sales bots on your website and social media platforms. This can handle routine customer inquiries, reservations, and provide information — freeing up staff for more complex tasks.

An upstart restaurant with few employees can ill-afford to have specialist staff. While your chef is undeniably a specialist, the other roles can be juggled around in times of resource-crunch. Here is how you do it.

• Pinpoint the key areas in your restaurant like hosting, serving, cooking, and cashier duties. Figure out what skills are needed for each role.

• Take a look at your crew. What are they good at? What do they love doing? Note down their strengths, weaknesses, and what gets them excited. This is the info that'll guide your cross-training plan.

• Create a plan that spells out the tasks for each role. Clearly define what you want your staff to learn. Think of it as a roadmap for becoming all-around pros.

• Start with the basics that everyone should know — like handling customers, basic food prep, or working the cash register.

• Get a rotation schedule going, where your crew spends time in different roles. It's like a hands-on crash course that gives them practical skills all over the restaurant.

• Arm your team with the tools they need — manuals, videos, hands-on demos. Make sure they have the lowdown to tackle any role like a pro.

• Encourage your team to swap tips and tricks from different roles. It's all about creating a vibe where everyone pitches in and learns from each other.

• Throw in some perks! Create a positive vibe by recognizing and rewarding your crew's cross-training efforts. Whether it's a shout-out, a certificate, or other cool incentives, make it a win-win.

• Adapt your training methods to suit each person's style. Everyone's got their own way of learning. Some like hands-on stuff, while others prefer visuals or written materials.

Dive into the sales history. Figure out when your place is buzzing and when it's a bit more relaxed. This info is gold for setting up your staffing levels. You want enough folks during the crazy times, right?

Flexibility is your buddy. Think about part-time gigs and flexible schedules. This way, you can tweak your staffing based on how the sales are flowing — be it a wild Saturday or a chill Wednesday.

Cross-train everyone. Ever thought about having a crew that can do a bit of everything? Cross-train your team (like mentioned above) so that when someone's out, others can step in without missing a beat.

Get yourself some employee scheduling software — it's like having a scheduling wizard, period. It takes into account stuff like who's available, their skills, and what the labor laws say.

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Keep the communication lines wide open. Let your crew know what's up with the schedule and why flexibility is key. Encourage them to shout out their availability loud and clear.

Implement on-call shifts to have like a superhero squad ready to jump in on short notice. Perfect for those unexpected bumps in sales volume without going overboard on staffing.

Use sales automation software to track sales, footfall, and all those factors that play into your staffing needs. Adjust your schedules on the fly to keep things running smooth.

Regular check-ins on labor costs are the way to go. See how they match up with your sales and make tweaks as needed.

You must not forget about downtime. Make sure your crew gets the breaks they need. Overworked staff equals decreased vibes and satisfaction — not what we're aiming for here.

Your restaurant is where your chef cooks, and your patrons have a wonderful time. Anything else that doesn’t need to be here must be outsourced.

Start by identifying tasks that are essential but not directly related to your core operations. This could include bookkeeping, payroll processing, marketing, and IT support.

Look for reputable companies or freelancers with experience in the specific functions you want to outsource. Check reviews, ask for referrals, and ensure they align well with your restaurant's values. In addition to this, create solid workflows that can streamline the entire operations.

Embrace cloud-based systems for functions like — bookkeeping, inventory management, and scheduling. This allows you and your outsourcing partners to access information in real-time.

Consider outsourcing your marketing efforts and social media management. Digital marketing agencies (could be expensive though) or freelancers can handle online promotions, social media scheduling, and graphic design, freeing up your in-house staff for more and more customer-facing roles.

You could also consider automating your email marketing to save on marketing bandwidth.

If delivery isn't your restaurant's primary focus, consider outsourcing it to third-party delivery services. This reduces the need for additional delivery staff and vehicles, allowing you to concentrate on your dine-in or takeaway operations. Plus, it also expands your reach to customers who prefer the convenience of ordering from home.

Virtual assistants can handle admin tasks such as email management, appointment scheduling, and customer inquiries. This ensures that your front-of-house staff can focus on providing grade-A customer service.

For technical issues and IT support, you should definitely consider outsourcing to specialized firms. They can handle tasks like system maintenance, troubleshooting, and ensuring that your POS systems are running smoothly.

Explore outsourcing customer support services — especially for online inquiries and reservations. CCaaS or Contact Center as a Service is a software technology that lets you deploy complex call center solutions at low cost for your restaurant business. This can be outsourced to virtual receptionists, leaving your on-site staff to focus on dine-in customer interactions.

The simpler your menu is, the more straightforward your entire restaurant business will be — much like SKUs for an ecommerce business.

And this will be the super key to your restaurant growth strategy.

So, start by analyzing your current menu. Identify the top-performing items and those that may be less popular. Consider factors like preparation time, ingredients, and customer preferences.

Identify your core offerings — the dishes that define your restaurant. Streamline your menu to highlight these key items. This not only simplifies operations but also reinforces your brand identity.

A large menu can overwhelm both customers (the infamous Tinder choice paralysis) and kitchen staff. Consider reducing the number of choices, particularly for items that are less ordered. This simplification can streamline decision-making for customers and smoothen out kitchen processes.

Streamline ingredient usage across multiple dishes. This not only simplifies inventory management but also reduces the need for a wide range of ingredients. It can also help in minimizing food wastage.

Instead of a fixed extensive menu, introduce rotating specials. This allows you to offer variety without the need for a permanent spot on the menu. Specials can be tailored based on seasonal ingredients or customer preferences.

Leverage technology to simplify the ordering process. Implement digital menus or kiosks that allow customers to quickly browse and order, reducing the need for extensive in-person interactions with staff.

If you're making significant changes to the menu, communicate this transparently to your customers. Clearly highlight new offerings and share the reasons behind the menu simplification. Customer understanding and acceptance are crucial.

Encourage customer feedback on the simplified menu. Understand their preferences and use this input to refine and simplify your menu even more.

Regularly observe the impact of menu simplification on your overall operations. Evaluate kitchen efficiency, customer satisfaction, and employee workload. Adjust as needed to strike the right balance.

Collaborate on events, sponsorships, or promotions with local businesses or community organizations. This not only spikes your community presence and brand’s social currency but also gets in food fanatics through shared networks.

Organize events at your restaurant or participate in local festivals, fairs, or markets. Hosting community gatherings creates a positive association with your brand and provides opportunities for 1:1 customer engagement.

On your social media accounts, share engaging content, promotions, and updates about your restaurant. Encourage UGC by running contests or featuring customer experiences. Nothing beats when customers share what and how they feel about your brand all on their own.

Develop a loyalty program to reward repeat customers. This can be a simple points system, discounts, or exclusive offers. Loyalty programs not only encourage customer retention but also serve as a marketing tool through wildfire word-of-mouth recommendations.

Partner with local influencers or bloggers who align with your restaurant's vibe. Their endorsements can generate buzz around your restaurant very quickly. Offer them special experiences or tastings in exchange for coverage.

Tailor promotions and discounts to appeal to the local community. This could include special deals for residents, discounts for local employees, or promotions tied to community events. Personalized offers resonate more with your target audience any given day.

Extend your loyalty program to the community at large. Offer special perks or discounts to residents within a certain radius of your restaurant. This can create a sense of belonging and exclusivity simultaneously.

Personally engage with reviews on platforms like Yelp or Google. Quickly address concerns and celebrate awesome customer experiences to prove that you aren’t just another restaurant at the corner serving plain jane food.

Ensure your restaurant appears in local search results by updating your Google My Business profile — including local keywords on your website, and encouraging customer reviews.

1. Leverage Technology for Efficiency: Implement POS systems and digital menus to streamline ordering and payment processes, reducing the need for extensive front-of-house staff.

2. Develop a Custom App: Create an app for menu browsing and ordering, freeing up staff from taking orders to focus on efficient order fulfillment.

3. Invest in Virtual Phone Systems: Utilize VoIP services for scalable customer communication, enabling a leaner staff to manage increased call volumes efficiently.

4. Implement Inventory Management Systems: Use real-time inventory tracking to reduce wastage and optimize stock, minimizing the need for frequent manual checks.

5. Adopt Tap-and-Go Payment Options: Introduce contactless payments for quicker transaction processing, enhancing customer experience with fewer cashier staff.

6. Utilize Data Analytics for Menu Optimization: Analyze customer preferences and sales data to streamline the menu, reducing kitchen staff workload.

7. Implement Chatbots and AI Sales Bots: Automate routine customer inquiries and reservations online, freeing up staff to focus on in-person customer service.

8. Cross-Train Staff for Role Flexibility: Train staff in multiple roles to ensure operational continuity and adaptability, especially during peak hours or staff shortages.

9. Implement Efficient Scheduling Practices: Use sales data and employee scheduling software to optimize staff allocation, ensuring coverage during peak times without overstaffing.

10. Outsource Non-Core Functions: Delegate tasks like bookkeeping, marketing, and IT support to external providers, allowing in-house staff to concentrate on core restaurant operations.