Opening a cozy little cafe or a trendy bistro is the dream of many- if you’ve decided to take the steps needed to make this dream a reality, congratulations! It probably feels as if you’ve got countless balls in the air and are perhaps overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things you need to sort out right now.
We can help! With a bit of planning and some insider tips and tricks, you’ll be able to get your new business up and running and welcoming guests sooner than you thought possible! Use the guide below for ideas to keep your costs down and boost your chance of success.
Sort Out Your Infrastructure
Getting the mechanics of how your establishment will run sorted is vital to ensure you can hit the ground running and decrease the risk of losing money by, for example, not turning tables around as fast as possible.
A vital part of this is ensuring you have the most suitable POS (point of sale) system for your business: there are options available that cater specifically to the food industry, featuring built-in tools to help you manage inventory and help with table management. Many systems can be set to automatically reorder supplies when they’re running low and create staff rotas.
The best POS software for cafes and restaurants enables users to manage and automate promotions and even set up and run loyalty schemes.
It is important to take plenty of time to figure out how your service will work, from the customer making their order to their leaving the establishment. This will help you to work out exactly the number of staff you’ll require and the equipment you’ll need.
Keep Costs Down
Keeping your cafe’s running costs as low as possible is key to safeguarding its success. Here are some tips:
Make the Most of Natural Lighting
Energy bills could be one of your biggest monthly outgoings, and lighting will likely make up a large chunk of the figure. Whether you’re designing your space from scratch or taking over an existing establishment, think about how you can best arrange the seating and counter areas to make the most use of natural lighting to keep the overheads off where possible.
Mirrors can be strategically placed, too, to bounce the light around the space and make it appear lighter and brighter.
Cut Back on Food Costs
Shop around, and speak with local suppliers to see if they would be prepared to offer you an ongoing discount if you commit to a minimum monthly order.
Buying in bulk is usually an excellent way to save money; if, as a new business, you can’t afford to make the sort of bulk order required, consider joining a group purchasing organization. These organizations pool the resources of a multitude of other local restaurants and cafes so that each member has access to bulk buy discounts and are better able to leverage suppliers for lowered charges.
Using ever-changing daily specials is a great way to use excess ingredients, and ensuring proper portion control is maintained can also reduce waste and boost your profits.
Opt for Energy Efficient Appliances
As well as being better for the environment, choosing energy-efficient appliances for your kitchens could save you serious money. See if any grants are available in your state to help purchase the energy-efficient items you need.
Once your cafe is set up, or if you’re taking on an establishment that’s already running, why not contact your energy supplier to arrange for a representative to visit to carry out a free energy audit? This person will be able to advise you on how to cut back on your electricity use further. As a bonus, these things may make your business eligible for green energy tax credits, potentially saving you even more!
Get Set For Success
Keeping costs down is vital – and so is driving profits by getting plenty of customers through the door! Here are some ways to do just that:
Run a Promotional Event
Celebrate your opening with a promotional event or party – why not offer everyone that attends a free cupcake or cup of coffee, and hand out cards inviting people to sign up for your loyalty scheme to keep them coming back?
Eco Appeal
Sustainability is likely to be an essential issue for the majority of your clientele. Reflect this by endorsing eco-friendly practices, such as using paper rather than plastic straws, providing recycling facilities, or offering a discount on drinks for those who bring their own reusable cup.
Consider Delivery
Offering customers a delivery option could significantly boost your profits. Sign up for a delivery platform to manage the logistical side of things for you, or set up your own system to get snacks and drinks to your customers.
The Taste of Success
If your dream of opening a cafe is set to come true this year, then you’re no doubt feeling a mix of excitement and nerves – understandably!
By getting the basics in place, consistently keeping your eye on costs, and working to innovate ways to bring in new customers while keeping your existing client base, you’ve got a great chance of success.
