Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 9, 2025

Ballas shares his insights with Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine and discusses issues that must be on the radar for franchises and brands including AI, automation, sustainability, staffing, training, and more. We focus on responsible sourcing and operational efficiencies that minimize waste.

Loyalty Program 251

Loyalty Program Franchise Franchising Fast Casual 251

7 Shifts

OCTOBER 28, 2024

Once you have that total, subtract all of your costs, such as labor, inventory, rent, utilities, and other operating expenses. Bars that effectively manage their inventory and reduce waste tend to maintain higher margins. To calculate your pour cost, you have to know the total cost of your alcohol inventory.

Point of Sale 195

Point of Sale Merchandise Seasonal Menu Bar 195

ChowNow

MARCH 14, 2025

Every day, youre juggling staff, food quality, inventory, customer service, purchasing, and moreall while trying to cultivate a dining experience that wows your customers enough to keep them coming back. Front-of-house teams need clear expectations, strong training, and a service mindset that ensures guests feel valued.

Operations 195

Operations Management Management Front of House 195

The Restaurant Group

DECEMBER 8, 2024

Introduction to Food Waste in Restaurants Food waste is a significant challenge for the restaurant industry, impacting both the environment and profitability. Understanding how to reduce food waste in restaurants is the first step toward sustainable and cost-effective operations.

Waste 78

Waste Compost Food Recycling 78

The Restaurant Group

FEBRUARY 23, 2025

Introduction In the fast-paced world of restaurants, keeping a close eye on your inventory is as vital as the secret sauce in your signature dish. Proper inventory tracking helps reduce waste, control costs, and boost profits. What Is Restaurant Inventory Management? Key Components of Restaurant Inventory Management 1.

Inventory 88

Inventory Management Management Audits 88

Lavu

APRIL 17, 2025

Real-Time Inventory Tracking offers a powerful solution by giving operators instant visibility into whats in stock, whats being used, and what needs to be reordered. With real-time data guiding inventory decisions, restaurants can take tighter control of their food costs and boost long-term profitability.

Inventory 78

Inventory Food Waste Mobile Ordering 78

Lavu

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

Running a restaurant is tough, and poor inventory management can make it even harder. Wasted food, stock shortages, and manual tracking errors all lead to higher costs and lost profits. That’s where POS inventory tools step in to help. Alerts : Notifies you of low stock or expiring items to avoid waste and disruptions.

Inventory 78

Inventory POS Waste Point of Sale 78

The Rail

MARCH 31, 2025

Standardized Training Programs: Newbies get uniform training with digital training tools across multiple locations. This approach not only makes it easier to train new staff on familiar machinery but also simplifies maintenance and reduces downtime. Inventory management software: Tracks stock in real-time.

Technology 130

Technology Management Management Operations 130

ChowNow

MAY 9, 2025

Factors like portion size, seasonal ingredients, and market price changes all affect this number, which is why inventory management and regular updates to your recipes and pricing matter. In many cases, controlling labor costs is less about cutting people and more about scheduling smarter and cross-training your existing employees.

Operations 195

Operations Email Marketing Food Supply Seasonal Menu 195

Lavu

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

Integrating mobile inventory systems with POS platforms simplifies restaurant operations by automating inventory updates, reducing errors, and providing real-time insights. Here’s what you need to know: Benefits : Real-time stock updates, improved accuracy, and smarter inventory planning.

Inventory 78

Inventory POS Mobile Ordering Waste 78

Lavu

APRIL 25, 2025

One of the most effective tools for achieving this is mobile inventory management. This system helps restaurant owners and managers track stock in real-time, reduce waste, and maintain optimal inventory levels. By automating inventory processes, restaurants can save time, improve accuracy, and enhance overall efficiency.

Inventory 78

Inventory 2025 Management Management 78

Lavu

APRIL 17, 2025

When it comes to managing inventory, restaurants face a choice: POS inventory alerts vs. manual tracking. While manual tracking may seem like a simple solution, it often leads to errors, wasted time, and unnecessary costs. Managing restaurant inventory can be a major challenge, but the right system can make all the difference.

Inventory 78

Inventory POS Small Business Mobile Ordering 78

Lavu

MARCH 17, 2025

By accurately calculating food costs, restaurant owners can set the right menu prices, reduce waste, and maximize their profits. Reduce Waste : Track daily waste, use FIFO (First In, First Out), and train staff on portion control. Log spoilage through inventory adjustments. Whole Wheat Bun $0.30 Avocado(1/4) $1.20

Food 78

Food Waste Seasonal Menu Inventory 78

ChowNow

MAY 23, 2025

Reduce food waste by tightening portion control and tracking spoilage. Cross-train team members to handle multiple roles during slower shifts. Tactics to try: Use a restaurant profit margin calculator weekly to spot changes in your food cost percentage. Get serious about labor costs Your second biggest expense is payroll.

Point of Sale 195

Point of Sale Insurance Fast Casual Customer Service 195

ChowNow

APRIL 15, 2025

Other examples include: Software subscriptions with usage-based tiers Maintenance or repair work Overtime pay for hourly workers Semi-variable restaurant costs can sneak up on you if youre not watching closely, but theyre also an area where a little strategy can go a long way toward minimizing waste.

Operations 195

Operations Online Ordering Customer Service Customer Experience 195

7 Shifts

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Can you provide an example of how you’ve improved employee performance through training? Can you provide an example of how you’ve improved employee performance through training? A restaurant manager should not only be able to manage day-to-day tasks but also invest in the growth of their team through effective training.

Leadership 195

Leadership Management Management Operations 195

ChowNow

MARCH 27, 2025

For example, train kitchen staff to prepare orders in the order they were received. Staff training: Ensure employees double-check orders before sealing bags. Youll also know which dishes to cutsaving you money in wasted food and labor. Printed labels and checklists: Attach receipts and verify modifiers before handoff.

Delivery 195

Delivery Online Ordering Loyalty Program Food 195

ChowNow

JUNE 12, 2025

LTOs also help you spotlight high-margin items or move excess inventory without slashing prices across the board. Train your restaurant staff to mention LTOs to in-house guests, promote them across your social media channels, and feature them in your online ordering system so guests see the promo with enough time to plan and react.

Loyalty Program 195

Loyalty Program Social Media Online Ordering Email Marketing 195

ChowNow

MAY 23, 2025

If youre using a modern POS system or inventory management software, you likely already have most of this information easily at your disposal. Try renaming them with a more enticing menu description, giving them better placement in your menu layout, or training your staff to recommend them more consistently.

Menu 195

Menu Seasonal Menu Point of Sale Online Ordering 195

The Rail

APRIL 10, 2025

According to a study from Delierect , 43% of restaurant diners say they are willing to pay more for sustainable dishes, and 68% believe restaurants should take active steps to reduce food waste. Clear sourcing protocols can improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and protect a brands reputation in the face of disruption.

Food Supply 130

Food Supply Social Media Sustainability Sourcing 130

The Rail

JANUARY 28, 2025

Smart Cost-Cutting Strategies for Restaurants Effective inventory management requires a well-trained, organized team using consistent routines, streamlined processes, accurate par levels, menu cross-utilization, and reliable inventory software to minimize waste and maintain efficiency.

Cash Management 130

Cash Management Loyalty Program Waste Inventory 130

Lavu

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

They connect tools like inventory tracking, payroll, and online ordering into one system, allowing real-time data access for smarter decisions. Key benefits include: Efficiency : Automates workflows like inventory management and order processing.

POS 78

POS Operations Online Ordering Mobile Ordering 78

Lavu

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

Proper cost tracking helps you set profitable menu prices, cut expenses, and manage inventory efficiently. Steps to calculate costs : Determine unit costs, account for waste, and break down menu item costs. Steps to calculate costs : Determine unit costs, account for waste, and break down menu item costs.

Seasonal Menu 78

Seasonal Menu Waste Inventory Cash Management 78

Lavu

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

These reports help you understand sales trends, manage inventory, optimize staffing, and improve customer satisfaction. Product Mix Reports : Identify bestsellers and underperforming items to optimize your menu and reduce waste. Over time, these insights can inform decisions about staffing, inventory, and menu tweaks.

POS 78

POS Point of Sale Inventory Cash Management 78

Lavu

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

It’s a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, offering tools like inventory management, employee scheduling , and CRM. With features like dual pricing to cut credit card fees, real-time inventory tracking, and integrations with QuickBooks and Uber Eats, Lavu simplifies operations for businesses of all sizes.

Loyalty Program 78

Loyalty Program Cash Management Inventory Customer Service 78

Perfect Daily Grind

JUNE 16, 2025

Freight rates have surged, warehousing expenses are up as roasters are forced to hold onto inventory for longer, and tariffs in countries like the US have increased significantly. Electric roasters can reduce waste and eliminate fuel costs, helping pad roasters’ bottom lines.

Equipment 150

Equipment Cash Management 2050 Pricing 150

Lavu

MARCH 28, 2025

By accurately tracking ingredient costs and streamlining menu pricing, it helps restaurants minimize waste, maintain profit margins, and make data-driven decisions. Integrated systems also provide real-time insights into inventory levels, ensuring better cost control and operational efficiency.

Menu 78

Menu POS Inventory Seasonal Menu 78

Harbor Touch

MARCH 18, 2025

The next youre racing to keep inventory stocked while customers wait for tables. Hire the Right People and Train Them Well Finding top talent is like casting a winning team. Training locks in that potential. The National Restaurant Association found well-trained staff stay 30% longer. Training builds a stronger team.

Management 148

Management Management Seasonal Menu Cash Management 148

Open for Business

OCTOBER 15, 2024

That’s why having a solid restaurant management training program is so important for owners and operators looking to build a successful team. A well-structured management training program equips new leaders with essential skills while promoting ongoing development. Show how to make smart choices when resources are tight.

Training 60

Training Management Management Loyalty Program 60

Lavu

JUNE 6, 2025

By closely monitoring and optimizing this percentage, restaurants can better manage their inventory, minimize waste, and lower their overall expenses, ultimately maximizing cost reduction. Yield Percentage: Calculate the yield percentage to account for any waste or shrinkage during cooking. Food cost control is crucial.

Loyalty Program 78

Loyalty Program Waste Recycling Inventory 78

Lavu

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

Streamline Operations : Reduce inventory waste by up to 75% and prevent overstocking. Staff must compile sales figures, calculate profits, and compare them with inventory records. Some key metrics include: Item Popularity : Tracks how often each dish is ordered, helping optimize inventory. Ready to upgrade?

Menu 78

Menu Seasonal Menu POS Inventory 78

Lavu

JUNE 20, 2025

From AI-driven ordering systems to smart inventory tools and contactless dining experiences, today’s innovations are reshaping how restaurants operate, serve customers, and stay competitive. Have you wondered about the possibilities of training new hires without the risks and costs of a normal training session?

Technology 78

Technology 2025 Online Ordering Fast Casual 78

Perfect Daily Grind

JUNE 19, 2025

The investment will enable M7B to open 15 new franchised outlets, upgrade its central kitchen for cold brew and blended drinks production, and strengthen staff training programmes to maintain quality consistency across its growing network. Government programmes on nursery development and agronomic training aim to raise yields and quality.

2025 126

2025 Café Events Sustainability 126

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 5, 2025

Food waste is one of the restaurant industry’s most persistent and costly challenges. According to ReFED , restaurants in the United States alone waste 5.76 That food waste equates to billions of dollars literally thrown away. Technology plays a critical role in helping restaurants minimize waste and improve efficiency.

Waste 322

Waste Operations Food Sustainability 322

Lavu

APRIL 17, 2025

Integration : KDS syncs with POS and inventory systems; paper tickets can’t connect to digital tools. Environmental Impact : KDS eliminates paper waste; paper tickets rely on continuous paper use. Insights from Data and Analytics KDS collects metrics like prep times, station efficiency, order trends, and inventory usage.

Ordering 78

Ordering Online Ordering Front of House POS 78

Lavu

APRIL 25, 2025

Data Insights : Tools like Lavu ‘s POS system help track inventory, reduce waste, and identify cost-saving opportunities. Efficient Use : Streamlining garnishes and repurposing ingredients across dishes minimizes waste. They also pre-measured ingredients to reduce waste.

Seasonal Menu 78

Seasonal Menu Waste Food Inventory 78

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 27, 2025

The chain’s documented emphasis on training shows in its strong performance on service quality and value. The second most-common use case is inventory management, 55 percent of those surveyed cite using AI in that process on a daily basis; another 25 percent say they are testing out such applications.

Loyalty Program 371

Loyalty Program Customer Experience 2025 Customer Service 371