Forecasting means using previous experience to foresee future occurrences. Restaurants use forecasting to predict everything from next year’s budget to how busy Saturday night will be. These “guesstimates” help management and staff know what to expect so they can plan the work.
These are the steps involved in forecasting:
- Analyze the sales history: Knowing what items were popular at what times yields a lot of information. Consider changing the menu price for an item that is consistently in high demand or removing a poorly selling dish. If Saturday nights are always slow in January, reduce inventory and schedule fewer staff members.
- Account for externalities: If a blizzard is predicted, consider closing early. On the other hand, if the restaurant has air conditioning during an August heat wave, consider increasing supplies and scheduling more staff to account for more customers.
- Predict sales volume: Based on all this information, estimate how busy the operation will be for a particular service or time period. Schedule staff and deliveries of perishables accordingly.
- Predict sales mix: Anticipating how many the restaurant will sell of each menu item helps to plan work. For instance, if the seared duck breast accounts for 5 percent of dinner entrée sales and the restaurant expects 100 guests this evening, expect to sell five duck breasts. (Of course, have more than five prepared, just to be safe—this isn’t an exact science.)
ServSafe Benefits is a hospitality hub built for industry workers.
More Articles for You
Turning the Table: 12 Ways to Handle Guest Complaints
Guest satisfaction is paramount to help ensure customer loyalty. However, the reality is that no restaurant is immune to guest complaints. These issues can range from overcooked steaks to issues with service or ambience. Yet, the way you handle these complaints can often make the difference between a disgruntled customer who won’t return and one who appreciates your commitment to customer service.
The Importance of Setting Core Values in Restaurant Team Culture
In the competitive and fast-paced world of the restaurant industry, success is often measured not only by the quality of the food but also by the overall customer experience. Behind the scenes, a restaurant’s team culture plays a pivotal role in shaping that experience. We’ll explore different ways of implementing a positive culture to keep not only customers happy but also employees serving them.