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Tips On Controlling Food Cost In Bistro Cuisine

By Angela Price


It is difficult to grow the profits margin when running a restaurant unless your management skills are very great. The margins are not high in most cases. However, there are several tactics which can be brought into play to reduce the costs incurred when dealing with bistro cuisine.

You should be watchful when it comes to expenditure. If you have employed an accountant to deal with this side of business, you should not assume that everything will go as you would wish. It is good to review the ledgers on a daily basis to ensure that there are no hidden costs.

Ordering can also mess up your budget if it is not done wisely. There is no need to get a lot of items only for them to end up wasted. If possible, get only what is required for that day. To note is that it is advisable to get the non-perishable products in large quantities because you will get them at a cheaper price.

The portions should be controlled too. The staff need to be cautioned about using more protein than is necessary. Even slight additions might lead to shortages. There will be no need to increase the prices in the menu when you are getting the portions correct. Even the slight increases in price might drive customers away. You need to avoid this at all cost without having to make a difference in your expenditure.

Wastage of food should not be tolerated. Cuisines which need expensive items which are also highly perishables should be prepared taking this into account. The chefs have to understand that each piece counts and encouraged to be creative in making use of the scraps. Preparing them on request and buying only what is enough for that day is encouraged.

It might be hectic to balance the menu when you are dealing in different items. Some of the cuisines are expensive while others are cheap. They should be balanced to ensure that the cost is between 23-30%. Anything above 40% will not give high returns and it should be streamlined. Even though getting this right from the very beginning might be challenging, it will be easy once you figure out the situation.

The food items can be seasonal depending on what you are selling. Therefore, ensure that you have alternatives to sell to the clients during the low seasons. Many will be at ease trying out new items which are suggested by the waiters. Therefore, use this tactic to push sales during the off-season. Nonetheless, the major cuisine should not be touched.

Management skills and good planning are essential in operation of bistros. To note is that business ought to be built around a certain item. The principal cuisine should be served all through. The enterprise will require intense marketing just like any other type of business. Customers will be coming back for more in such a case. However, the services should be great because no one will be willing to dine at a place where he or she is not treated well.




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