Wednesday, 23 November 2016

4 Key Steps To Thrive In The Highly Competitive Restaurant Industry

Any restaurant owner can attest to the fact that running a restaurant business takes more than solid business skills and sales tactics. One of the best ways to thrive in any competitive market is to be prepared mentally to face the challenges that are specific to that industry. If you are in the restaurant business, you probably know by now how gruelling and tiring the long hours can be and how much of discipline and hard work it takes to keep progressing to the next level.


Given below are some tips for restaurants to help them find their firm footing in this competitive sector.

Learn to streamline

A successful restaurant business is the sum of many little details that come together in a harmonious fashion. Due to its nature of business, it often becomes difficult for just one or two people to handle the entire outfit. It could lead to many significant details being overlooked, which, in turn leads to other inconsistencies and managerial oversights. Streamlining and developing systems as you move along will help mitigate this issue.

Pay attention to behind-the-scenes actions

A lot of what goes into making a successful restaurant happens where customers don't see. While the exclusive wine list, bar programme, and menu forms the glam side of the business, there is also the staid side that you need to deal with, without which the business cannot be functional. The legal foundation, finances, insurance, bookkeeping, payroll, setting up your utilities account are some of the unadventurous activities you need to stay on top of to make it in the long run.

Make consistency the prime goal

Getting your foot in and then staying in there for the long haul is indeed a challenge. Restaurants have to deal with many moveable factors. But, through it all, one thing that can help you hold your ground is sticking to your convictions and being consistent in your deliverables. For this, you need to be sure of what your concept is, how you are going to make it work, and the conviction to stick with it till the end. If you change course midway, you are sending all kinds of wrong signals to your stakeholders. This can put your restaurant in a dangerous spiral.

It is all about the customers

If your customers are satisfied and happy, then the long, gruelling hours are worth it. It is your happy customers who will speed up your business more than anything else. Surround yourself with people who share your passion, vision, and goal in business. Employees who are willing to step onto the unglamorous side of the business when things get heated are the biggest asset you can have on your side.

There is not set methodology to survive in the restaurant industry. Your business acumen grows along with your business. Eventually, you find what works and does not work for your survival.


Barkly Motorlodge boasts of one of the best restaurants in Ballarat that manages to consistently delight their customers with their impeccable service and relaxing atmosphere.