Operating a restaurant in Canada can be rewarding; but there are many challenges along the way; one of which is controlling costs. Supplies; fluctuating seasonal demands; and equipment, for example, are all things that can threaten your margins; so how do you overcome challenges like these? INKAS® payments can help. We are front and center to the activities of thousands of successful restaurants by helping them set up industry-leading and cost-effective POS systems; and in the cost-conscious conversations we have with them there are some interesting things we came across that may help your business save money. Let’s get into it:

Equipment Maintenance

One of the most common practices restaurant owners are engaging in is upgrading all their appliances to ensure they have the most energy efficient units available. This is pretty common-knowledge; but what may get lost along the way is the maintenance that goes with them. Though energy-efficient appliances can save you money in the long-run, if they are not maintained, these savings can be lost via the wear of the energy-efficient components. So be sure to follow a regular maintenance schedule; not only to avoid costly repairs down the line but also to ensure you get the efficiency you expected when you purchased the units.

Optimize Your Inventory Management

Possibly an overlooked cost-saving measure is inventory management. But just go to think how many smaller aspects this one consideration has: it goes beyond keeping track of immediate supplies. The most successful restaurants we work with do not just order their supplies, and ingredients for a day or a month, say: they track how much of it they use, and even what season demands more of it. The “pen and paper” method can make this very time consuming and can be expensive because of all the extra effort it entails. So be sure to invest in a strong inventory management system to help you with this. Depending on POS providers, you may be able to get this capability through them: INKAS® Payments, for example, offers industry-leading integrations that can help you streamline this capability.

Streamline Menu Offerings

This in part plays into the last point: make a menu that is seasonally appropriate. One of the biggest pitfalls that INKAS® sees from its restaurant customers is that their menu items often incorporate out-of-season ingredients, which cost relatively more to purchase. By keeping track, not only of what dishes are popular, but also which ingredients are cheaper during the year, you can create a cost-conscious menu from a business perspective while at the same time catering to the interests of your consumers.

Implement Waste Reduction Strategies

It goes without saying but one of the easiest ways to save money is through repurposing scraps. Does this mean serve leftovers? No. But you can find uses for ingredients, and goods that are partially used, that can possibly contribute to another fantastic dish. For example, if you have left over (uneaten) bread, dry it out: it can make for tasty croutons. So snoop around your kitchen to see what kind of savings you can “cook up.”