Been pondering how to improve restaurant operations because you’re in a constant state of hustle and bustle? Want to make sure your kitchen staff are proactive instead of reactive? This guide is here to help!

👋 In this guide, we’ll walk you through some tips and strategies so you can learn how to improve restaurant operations this year.

The restaurant industry is notorious for keeping people on their toes, so it makes sense to improve your day-to-day operations and checklists and give yourself time to breathe.

So let’s streamline your operations and keep your restaurant running like a well-oiled machine.

First, we’ll dive into restaurant technology and how you can better use it to your advantage, especially in real-time situations.

Use technology for better restaurant efficiency

While we’re all constantly on the lookout for the next best restaurant management software tool, making sure the foundational elements are automated and stress-free can go a long way in helping to improve restaurant operations.

Not only will adopting technology help you gather and report on metrics, but it can directly impact your bottom line in the right direction through cost savings.

Here are some elements to double-check and ensure are performing at the highest standard if you want to own a successful restaurant.

Use a POS system or online ordering system

An integrated Point of Sale (POS) system, or online orderings is a foundational technology that can revolutionize your restaurant operations. An integrated POS communicates with inventory management, online ordering, and customer loyalty programs.

An online ordering system like Orderable (a WordPress plugin) offers a seamless operational workflow that saves time, reduces errors, and enhances customer experience.

And that’s just on the operational side, as it does so much more to support your business, increase your bottom line, and offer your customers a stress-free experience on your website.

How to add online ordering to your restaurant business with Orderable

The WordPress plugin, Orderable is specifically designed for the restaurant industry. It covers all these features with the benefit of being highly customizable to your needs.

Orderable simplifies the management of online orders and streamlines the process from the kitchen to the customer’s door.

It can help you with:

• Seamless online ordering integration: Orderable allows for real-time updates to menu items, prices, and availability all via your website. This makes it convenient for customers to place orders anytime, anywhere. This convenience can lead to increased order frequency and higher average order values, as customers appreciate the ease of use and flexibility.
• Streamlined order management: With Orderable, orders placed online are automatically entered into your online ordering workflow, eliminating the need for manual input. This reduces the time it takes from order placement to order preparation, speeding up the overall service delivery. Faster service not only improves customer satisfaction but also increases the potential for handling a higher volume of orders during peak times.

While Orderable does excel at integrating with inventory management and online ordering systems, you will need to combine it with another plugin if you want to offer your customers a loyalty program (which we highly recommend you do!).

This approach allows restaurant owners to choose the best-fit solution for their loyalty program needs, ensuring that they can provide the most value to their repeat customers.

Digital menus and ordering

Do you offer a digital menu and a tableside ordering system? Having those two at hand can significantly speed up the ordering process, reduce wait times for customers, and ensure order accuracy (and fewer headaches).

The direct line from order to kitchen minimizes errors, ensuring that customers receive exactly what they ordered, giving them a more positive dining experience. It gives them instant visibility to pricing, menu items, and potentially portion sizes if there are pictures available on the digital menu.

Contactless payments

Another aspect of technology that cannot be overlooked is offering customers contactless payment methods. The global pandemic has accelerated the need for such solutions, making them an accepted part of the modern dining experience.

Offering contactless payment options not only streamlines the checkout process but also adheres to safety protocols, offering peace of mind to both staff and patrons.

Now that we’ve embraced these new tools, and you can see your financial health steadily rise, it’s time to look at what we can improve in the kitchen space.

Streamline kitchen workflow

An optimized kitchen workflow is the backbone of a successful restaurant. The efficiency of your kitchen’s design will impact how fast and safely your staff prepares the orders.

There are two components to take into consideration: the layout and the prep stations themselves.

Optimize your kitchen layout

Have you evaluated yet how the design of your kitchen impacts the flow of movement? If you want to improve restaurant operations, make sure your kitchen layout is strategically done.

Place the equipment and workstations in such a way that they will reduce cross-kitchen traffic, which not only speeds up the service but also decreases the risk of accidents.

The goal is to create a logical path that aligns with the sequence of food preparation, cooking, and serving. This is a very important aspect of restaurant operations you should not overlook because it affects food safety, food preparation, and your kitchen staff.

Implement prep stations

Having dedicated prep stations for different types of food preparation is another important step in streamlining kitchen workflow. This approach will make your kitchen more organized kitchen, so your staff members can focus on specific tasks without interference.

For example, having separate stations for salad preparation, grill, and dessert can significantly improve the speed and quality of food preparation.

Each station should be equipped with the necessary tools and ingredients, reducing time spent moving around the kitchen and enhancing the efficiency of meal production.

treamlining your kitchen workflow is a critical step toward ensuring your restaurant can meet the demands of its customers, providing a memorable dining experience that keeps them coming back.

Invest in and maintain high-quality equipment

Investing in the right tools for your kitchen is an important step in learning how to improve restaurant operations and improve customer satisfaction in the long-run.

A well-equipped kitchen can handle the rigors of high demand, maintain consistent quality, and reduce preparation times. Here are two things to think about:

Upgrade kitchen equipment

Investing in high-quality, durable kitchen equipment is essential if you want to have cooking efficiency and cope with the demands of a busy restaurant.

Your customers might not know what is happening behind the scenes, but your staff members do, and helping them offer the best food service comes with having a well-stocked and quality kitchen.

Seek out equipment that offers both versatility and speed. Combi ovens, for example, can bake, roast, steam, fry, and more, making them a powerhouse of functionality. Similarly, high-speed blenders can significantly cut down prep time for sauces, smoothies, and soups.

Regular maintenance schedule

📈 Establishing a regular maintenance schedule is equally important; it prevents unexpected breakdowns and ensures equipment performs consistently, which can reduce equipment failure rates by up to 35%.

Well-maintained equipment performs better and lasts longer, which means less money spent on replacements and repairs in the long run. Having a routine for checking and maintaining kitchen equipment can reduce failure rates and maintain a high standard of food preparation.

Together, these two practices not only improve kitchen operations but also contribute to sustainability and cost savings.

Improve staff training and development

Elevating your restaurant’s success involves more than just fine-tuning the menu or ambiance – it’s about investing in your restaurant staff and knowing ahead of time what their needs are so that they can be successful at their jobs.

The success of your restaurants is highly dependent on the satisfaction and training of your staff. There are three things you can do to improve in this area.

Look to include cross-training

The cross-training of staff helps build a versatile workforce that is ready when needed to step into multiple roles. Should there be an unexpected rush hour, any staff member can quickly jump in and smoothly handle the situation.

Your restaurant operations will feel less like a rollercoaster and more like a smooth ride where everyone knows what to do and when to do it because they’re prepared ahead of time. Cross-training also fosters a sense of unity and understanding among the team as they all learn to work in back-of-house operations and front-of-house operations.

📈 This flexibility can be invaluable during busy periods or when dealing with staff shortages (62% of restaurant operators say that they are understaffed).

Invest in staff training

Providing regular training sessions can improve service quality and operational efficiency. Regular, comprehensive training sessions can help boost service quality and efficiency since they help your staff members increase their confidence in themselves.

This is especially important for new employees who aren’t yet sure of their footing.

Knowledgeable staff can pivot seamlessly between tasks, and manage the workflow as well as an influx of customers without batting an eye. As mentioned in the previous point, consider cross-training staff to perform multiple roles to put everyone’s mind at ease should unexpected situations arise.

Focus on employee satisfaction

Employee satisfaction is closely linked to customer satisfaction. Not only that but prioritizing employee satisfaction translates directly to better customer experiences.

Offering competitive wages, and comprehensive benefits, and cultivating a positive, supportive work environment are key strategies for improving employee satisfaction.

Such initiatives not only attract top talent but also retain it, reducing turnover costs and building a team that’s truly invested in your restaurant’s mission.

Happy staff leads to happy customers, making this investment one of the smartest moves a restaurant owner can make.

Optimize menu for efficiency

A well-considered menu is your first step toward operational efficiency and increased sales. By focusing on dishes that can be prepared quickly without compromising quality, you can turn tables faster and satisfy more customers. Here’s how to optimize your menu this year:

Menu simplification

Identify the dishes that your kitchen can produce efficiently and that your customers love. Simplifying your menu around these items can reduce kitchen stress, lower inventory costs, and ensure a high-quality dining experience.

Use overlapping ingredients across multiple dishes to minimize waste and simplify inventory. This also allows for bulk purchasing, which can reduce costs.

Seasonal menu planning

Incorporate seasonal ingredients to offer freshness and variety to your customers and also to reduce costs due to the abundance of in-season produce.

Update your menu regularly to keep it exciting and give customers a reason to return. Highlight seasonal specialties to attract new patrons looking for a unique dining experience.

By strategically simplifying and seasonally adjusting your menu, you can not only enhance operational efficiency but also create a more engaging and dynamic dining experience that encourages repeat business and attracts new customers.

Make marketing a priority

Effective marketing is more crucial than ever for increasing restaurant sales. Leverage social media, email marketing, and analytics to help you connect with your audience and drive sales.

Leverage social media and email marketing

Use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to visually showcase your dishes, promote special events, and engage with your audience through comments and stories.

Regular emails keep your customers informed about new menu items, promotions, and events, encouraging repeat visits. Personalize your messages to create a deeper connection with your audience.

Utilizing tools like Orderable can streamline this process, integrating marketing efforts with your ordering system to track effectiveness and enhance customer engagement.

This combination will help boost your restaurant’s visibility while simultaneously improving your profit margins.

Use of analytics and feedback

Incorporating analytics and feedback into restaurant operations is a foundational strategy because by capturing and analyzing customer insights and behavioral data, you’ll get a first-hand view of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to restaurant operations management.

Collect and analyze customer feedback

Use feedback from social media, comment cards, and online reviews to understand customer preferences and areas for improvement. Analyze sales data to identify trends, popular dishes, and peak times. This information can guide menu changes, promotional offers, and staffing decisions to maximize sales.

Implement data analytics

Use data analytics to gain insights into customer behavior, menu performance, and operational efficiency. Implementing data analytics will give you deep insights into customer behavior, menu performance, and operational efficiency.

The data will help you make decisions on where and how to improve the dining experience and business profitability.

📈 Studies have shown that restaurants engaging with customer feedback and analytics see a significant increase in customer satisfaction scores and repeat business, illustrating the direct impact of these tools on success.

Learn how to improve restaurant operations today

In this guide we’ve explored how to improve restaurant operations for your food business this year.

By focusing on quality equipment, menu optimization, and targeted marketing, you can significantly increase your restaurant’s sales this year.

With actionable feedback and data-driven insights, restaurant owners can make informed decisions that propel their establishments forward, ensuring not only survival in a competitive market but also thriving success.

Each of these strategies not only contributes to a smoother operation but also enhances the dining experience for your customers, leading to higher satisfaction and repeat business.

Integrating technology like Orderable can further streamline operations, ensuring that your restaurant not only survives but thrives in the competitive landscape of the coming year.