So, you’ve built a bustling restaurant with patrons lining up at the door. Your reputation has grown, and with it, your appetite for expansion. Growth is a healthy desire and is often necessary for survival in the restaurant business. It has the power to propel your restaurant brand to new heights — but can be the catalyst for chaos, sending your once-thriving business into a tailspin. Navigating the pitfalls of a restaurant growth strategy is no walk in the park, but it’s a challenge you must rise to if you want to stay competitive.
Striking a balance between growth and stability is only possible through proper planning. Building a comprehensive growth strategy provides a framework that optimizes restaurant operations and anticipates growing pains before they become debilitating problems.
The National Restaurant Association anticipates the food service industry to reach $997 billion in sales in 2023 — a 6.4% increase from 2022. Restaurants that develop a comprehensive growth strategy are better positioned to capitalize on market growth. In this article, we’ll explore the critical components of a growth strategy and show how technology can give restaurants an advantage over the competition.
Improve Operational Efficiency
Strategically improving your restaurant’s operational efficiency is critical to a successful growth strategy. And according to a study conducted by Toast, 95% of restaurants agree that technology is fundamental to improving the efficiency of their operations. By integrating cutting-edge technology ahead of time, you’ll be ready to tackle the challenges of growth head-on rather than scrambling to adapt as your business expands.
With rising food costs and unpredictable market fluctuations, an efficient and streamlined supply chain management system can mean the difference between success and failure. The quantity and complexity of your ordering operations will inevitably expand as your enterprise grows. Not to mention that if you’re not getting the best deal on your inventory, the profit loss is multiplied by your rate of expansion. To make sure you save time and the bottom line, you’ll need to include an in-depth inventory management system in your growth strategy.
Similarly, menu price optimization is no longer a guessing game in the era of machine learning. Using advanced algorithms that analyze POS transactional data to identify purchasing patterns, F&B Menu enables you to design a risk-reduced pricing strategy that maximizes revenue without causing customer pushback. As your restaurant empire grows, the efficiency of this pricing technology will prove invaluable, allowing you to implement dynamic pricing strategies customized to the unique needs of each diverse location.
Raise Capital
The road to acquiring external funding requires navigating some serious potholes One wrong move won’t just slow your growth rate, it can hurt your business in a way in which it may never fully recover. That means capital raising necessitates careful planning and foresight that is best not learned the hard way.
Raising capital is not a simple process. First, you’ll need to create an accurate, well-polished valuation of your business and prepare data-based projections demonstrating the growth potential of your restaurant. Then comes the task of identifying and communicating with potential investors, then strategically negotiating a deal that makes sense to your growth goals.
There’s potential for a misstep at every point in this process. Crafting a professional presentation of your business will help you attract the right investors who can provide access to financial resources under favorable terms for growth. It’s also just as critical that they share your brand’s vision, establishing a strong partnership that extends beyond mere monetary transactions. A poorly executed fundraising effort, on the other hand, can make you look unprofessional to potential investors, hurting your chances of raising money now and in the future. Ultimately you may find yourself with less-than-ideal lending options that hurt your business in the long run.
Working with professionals who have experience preparing financials, finding ideal investors, and negotiating deals helps mitigate the risks involved in capital raising. Emerging Capital Partners provides an unparalleled level of support in helping you navigate the complexities of the process. With their guidance, you can have the confidence in knowing you’ve done everything possible to secure the funding and support necessary for your restaurant’s unique needs.
Expand Customer Base
According to a report from R365, 60% of restaurants plan to expand their businesses in 2023. Expanding your restaurant’s footprint is a natural aspect of a growth strategy, and by opening new locations in carefully selected areas, you can access new markets, enhance brand visibility, and, ultimately, increase your revenue. However, it’s crucial to thoroughly assess the potential of each new location and negotiate favorable lease terms to ensure the success of your expansion.
Choosing the right location involves researching demographics, understanding local markets, and evaluating the competition. Picking the wrong spot can lead to decreased foot traffic and revenue. In addition, negotiating favorable lease terms can prevent high rent costs, restrictive clauses, or hidden fees that can negatively impact your profits.
To optimize the location selection and negotiation processes, you can hire experts who specialize in finding profitable locations and negotiating favorable terms with landlords and developers. Partnering with Emerging Concepts can save time, minimize risk, and maximize the investment in your next location by leaving location scouting and lease negotiation to experienced professionals. With the right location and favorable terms, you can concentrate on other aspects of your growth strategy and continue to deliver an exceptional experience to your existing customer base.
Final Thoughts
Embracing technology and the help of professionals is crucial to developing an effective growth strategy. By strategically improving operational efficiency, securing capital, and selecting new locations, you can ensure a strong foundation for sustainable long-term growth. F&B Menu, Emerging Capital Partners, and Emerging Concepts create a powerful alliance, equipping your business with the tools and expertise it needs to survive and thrive in the restaurant industry.
