The recipe for success in the restaurant business involves more than just an excellent menu; it also includes a good command of key performance indicators (KPIs) in line with your business objectives. By identifying and tracking the right KPIs, you’ll empower yourself to make informed business decisions, leading to more effective management and increased profitability.
That said, your POS system is much more than just a cash register. For restaurants using Maitre’D or Veloce POS, it’s an analysis and strategy tool that can make or break your restaurant’s prosperity.
The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of five KPIs specifically adapted to the restaurant business. By following them closely, you can detect potential problems before they escalate.
Sales Item Analysis
Understanding the individual performance of your menu items can provide significant insight into customer preferences. It’s not just about which dish sells the most, but also understanding how certain items may influence the sale of other items. For instance, a popular appetizer might encourage additional drink orders.
For Veloce POS customers, the “Items Sold” report provided by VelCloud allows you to extract sales data for different periods, from daily to seasonal, which aids in identifying trends and patterns.
Table Turnover Rate
The table turnover rate is a great indicator of service efficiency and space utilization in your restaurant. A high rate suggests that customers are served swiftly and new tables are made available more frequently, thus increasing revenue potential. However, a rate that’s too high could indicate rushed service and impair the customer experience. Conversely, a lower turnover rate may suggest a more relaxed experience, which may be desirable in certain settings but less profitable.
To calculate this KPI, you simply divide the total number of served customers by the number of available tables, and then divide this result by the duration of the time slot being studied, such as a dinner service. This indicator’s calculation is facilitated by the integration of the Libro reservation system into Veloce POS, making the process both quick and accurate.
Stock Turnover Rate
The stock turnover rate is crucial for optimal resource management in a high-end restaurant. This KPI calculates how often the inventory is sold or used over a given period.
A rapid turnover of stock indicates good alignment with customer preferences and minimizes waste, which is particularly important in establishments that use premium ingredients. In contrast, a low turnover rate might signal inefficiency, overstocking, or dishes that do not match customer tastes, leading to waste and reduced profit margins.
With Veloce POS and Wisk, it’s possible to monitor the consumption of each inventory item, allowing for an accurate calculation of the stock turnover rate. This information enables restaurant managers to make informed decisions on aspects such as supplier orders, promotions, and even menu design.
Loyalty Program Engagement
Engagement in the loyalty program not only gives an idea of its popularity but can also be an indicator of customer satisfaction and the likelihood of repeat visits. Well-designed programs can even influence customer behaviours, like a higher spend per visit.
With its integration into the Veloce POS system, Freebees allows you to track various metrics, such as the number of points redeemed, the frequency of rewards use, and the time between visits, to assess the success of your loyalty program.
Peak Sales Periods
Knowing your busiest hours or days can transform how you manage your restaurant. It helps with staff planning and also provides the opportunity to create special offers to attract more customers during slower periods.
Veloce POS customers can use the “Gross Sales by Hour” report from VelCloud to quickly identify activity peaks and adjust their operations accordingly.
Optimize Your Restaurant by Investing in a Smart POS System
Now that you have a good understanding of these five performance indicators, the next step is to integrate them into your business strategy. Invest in POS software that not only tracks these KPIs, but also gives you the tools to analyze them. Integration with other systems, such as the Libro reservation system, the Freebees loyalty system and Wisk, gives restaurateurs a more complete view of their operational performance.
The success of your business depends not only on the quality of your cuisine, but also on your ability to use data to continuously improve the experience of your customers and the efficiency of your operations. Request a free demo today!
