Between high running costs and tighter margins than ever, making sound financial decisions is a daily challenge for catering businesses. But the good news is that being more cost-effective doesn’t have to mean making big changes to how you operate. In fact, it can often come down to checking the basics to make sure you’re working as efficiently as possible.
Here are a few practical ways you can keep costs under control, without compromising your high standards.
Minimise your setup costs
Whether you’re launching a new catering business or refurbing an existing kitchen, keeping your initial outlay under control is the best way to go. The less capital you plough into equipment, the more flexibility you’ll have to manage your cashflow and respond to unexpected costs.
With this in mind, many businesses look for funding options that spread costs and prevent nasty surprises. JLA’s Total Care package is the perfect example – it’s a unique, all-inclusive equipment and servicing package that gives you access to market-leading appliances with nothing to pay upfront, free installation, and comprehensive support, including repairs, for a simple monthly fee.
This means you can get the new equipment you need in place quickly, and keep more cash in reserve. Plus, you’ll reduce the risk of having to foot costly maintenance charges down the line.
Watch out for over-purchasing
While it’s tricky to get the balance right, consistently over-ordering fresh ingredients can easily lead to leftovers, waste and unnecessary pressure on your margins. In the current climate, it’s much more cost-effective to keep an eye on service volume and demand, and order as accurately as you can. This way, you’re far more likely to avoid your unused stock – and money – going in the bin, and your customers and suppliers will know you’re committed to more sustainable practices.
Many of JLA’s customers keep a simple wastage log, which can help you spot patterns over time. So, you might see that certain ingredients are regularly over-ordered, or that some menu items produce more leftovers. From there, it becomes much simpler to make better purchasing decisions.
Consider menu changes
In a similar way, making small changes to your offering can add up to big differences in costs. Unpopular or more time-consuming dishes might not deserve their place in your menu, especially if they rely on pricier ingredients, so a review could be worthwhile.
You don’t need to be this aggressive, either. In some cases, a quick ingredient swap can reduce costs without affecting the final dish too much. You could also look at your portion sizes and ingredients to simplify prep and cooking time too. Where suitable, you could even reuse or repurpose your leftover ingredients.
Invest in efficient equipment
Right across the industry, equipment is a major contributor to your running costs, which should make efficiency one of your top priorities when you’re choosing new equipment.
Most modern appliances are designed with energy-saving cooking, refrigeration and warewashing in mind, helping to reduce costs while delivering the performance you need.
JLA’s Energy Star-rated combi ovens, for example, come with features like cooking presets and triple-glazed glass for better heat retention and less waste over time. And behind the scenes, our refrigerators are designed to perform efficiently in high-temperature environments, using less power to protect your stock.
Invest in staff training
Even the best-equipped kitchen can’t function without the skills of your people. So just as you invest in the right equipment, you should also invest in your team’s development. A well-trained team is more likely to use equipment correctly, avoid unnecessary waste, and work more efficiently in general.
Consider training that covers using your cookers’ preprogramming, understanding portion control, or following shutdown procedures that make the next day easier for everyone. Even these small improvements can have a measureable impact on energy use and equipment lifespan – and you’ll likely improve the quality of your meals and service, too.
For more tips to improve the efficiency of your kitchen, please contact one of our catering experts today.
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