12 Tips and Tricks to Help You Manage a Successful Restaurant

Make no mistake — the food service and hospitality industry is more competitive than ever. From managing employees and suppliers to staying ahead of marketing and culinary trends, restaurateurs wear many hats. It takes hard work, but with the right strategies in place you can build or maintain a thriving operation — and make the most of your restaurant financing.

These practical restaurant tips and tricks can equip you with ideas to help streamline operations, improve profitability and create memorable customer experiences.

Restaurant Operations and Management

Let’s start with the fundamentals — your day-to-day restaurant operations. The decisions you make here can keep your restaurant efficient and profitable.

Buy and source wisely.

Your restaurant’s food ordering expenses can quickly spiral out of control without proper inventory management. Build strong relationships with reliable vendors to negotiate better deals. Buy seasonal produce for cost savings, and utilize inventory management software to track stock and reduce food waste.

Take care of your staff.

A happy restaurant staff equals happy customers. Train your team well, offer competitive wages and incentives and create an environment where they feel valued. Employee satisfaction impacts efficiency and morale which, in turn, influences your service quality and overall guest experience.

Review your menu pricing and design.

Review your pricing strategy regularly to ensure there’s a good profit margin on all of your restaurant menu items. Factor in rising ingredient and food costs and adjust prices when necessary, but make sure your pricing aligns with customer expectations.

Consider seasonal menu swaps with high-quality, low-cost appetizers, tasting flights, shared plates or entrees to help save money and balance your profit margins. Feature higher-return items and add-ons more prominently on your menu.

Upgrade your technology.

From POS systems to digital inventory and payroll software, technology integrations can save you time and effort with tableside ordering, contactless payments, reservation management and more. Point-of-sale tools like Toast, Square or TouchBistro can streamline your table operations and produce data and reporting for smarter decision-making. They can also help create efficiencies across the board — from kitchen display systems to payment processing.

Review your hours.

While you already know your busy and slow times, analyzing them in black and white could reveal new patterns. If certain hours of the day or even days of the week are consistently quiet, modify your business hours to concentrate resources during peak times and cut down on operating costs.

Consider expansion opportunities.

Once your restaurant achieves a sustainable level of success, you might want to think about strategically expanding. This could mean opening a new location, launching a catering menu or even offsite catering, or partnering with meal delivery companies to boost revenue streams.

Marketing and Sales

A strong marketing strategy that aligns with your customer experience and communicates your brand’s unique selling proposition will build your brand’s presence and loyalty.

Get social.

Establish a social media presence to showcase your brand to potential customers and generate awareness and impressions.

Create quality content and visual photography for platforms like Instagram and Facebook to put your best foot forward and reach potential new customers. From menu spotlights to behind-the-scenes storytelling, memorable visuals and content marketing can make a huge difference in your posts’ engagement rates.

Experiment with new marketing strategies.

Shifting consumer preferences in the restaurant industry are a constant. The same goes for getting people’s attention. Stay ahead of the curve by finding new and innovative ways to reach your audience:

• Run limited-time promotions to attract customers.
• Use targeted digital ads to drive online reservations.
• Generate buzz with email campaigns featuring seasonal menus or birthday offers.
• Consider collabs with local celebrities or food influencers.

Track customer responses to identify which strategies yield the best return on investment (ROI).

Get on delivery apps.

Partner with food delivery platforms such as DoorDash or Uber Eats. This not only opens your services to a wider audience and customer base, but it can also increase convenience for your customers, especially during quiet dining-in periods.

Offer reservations via booking apps.

Make it easy for customers to reserve a table with apps like OpenTable or Resy. These platforms come with added search capability, making it easier for people who may not know your brand to find your restaurant.

Host events.

Live music, trivia nights, or chef-led tastings and pop-up concepts can bring in new customers and create buzz. These events encourage new and loyal customers alike to experience your restaurant in a way that stands out from a typical dining experience.

Customer Experience

Delivering a memorable experience for your guests can increase customer retention and foster strong word of mouth.

Make customer retention a priority.

According to restaurant software company Olo, 60% of a restaurant’s revenue is driven by repeat customers. Focus on building customer relationships and earning their loyalty. Remember names, favorite dishes and preferences to create personal connections that make them feel valued.

Start a loyalty program.

Reward repeat business with a loyalty program. Offer customer discounts, free items or exclusive perks when they hit a certain spending level. Loyalty programs can help customers feel appreciated and keep them coming back.

Manage and moderate your online reviews.

Reviews play a big role in customer decision-making. Monitor platforms like Google, Yelp and TripAdvisor to respond promptly to feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. A professional response to complaints shows your dedication to improvement and builds trust.

What are the four Ps of restaurant management?

The “four Ps” play a vital role in successful restaurant management. Here’s how they apply:

Product. Provide high-quality food and beverages that exceed expectations.

Place. Your location and ambiance matter. Make your establishment inviting and comfortable.

Price. Balance affordability with profitability. Maintain a pricing strategy that aligns with customer expectations.

Promotion. Consistently share your restaurant’s story and unique value prop to attract and retain customers.

What are the three Cs of restaurant success?

Elevate your restaurant’s success with this simple, easy-to-remember framework. Several guest speakers shared this list during a “2023 Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit,” and it stuck:

Convenience. Make it easy for customers to dine with you. Offer accessible hours, online ordering and delivery options.

Consistency. Whether it’s food quality or service, deliver excellence every time. Consistency builds trust with your customers.

Connection. Build a relationship with your customers through personalized service and by creating an ambiance where they feel welcomed.

The Bottom Line

Managing a restaurant requires countless responsibilities, but with strategic planning and focus, your extra efforts will pay off — from the front of the house to the back. Start by identifying weak points in your operations, and craft a plan to address them using the tips shared above.

Then look at your marketing and ultimately — the customer experience. Remember, every effort to improve your restaurant is also an opportunity to grow as an entrepreneur. Reflect on these strategies and experiment with what works best for your business.