Operational Efficiency Technology
A waitress takes an order from a guest holding a menu

Menu Engineering: A Guide to Revamping Your Restaurant’s Menu

Imagine applying the meticulous precision of engineering to the art of crafting a restaurant menu. Menu engineering is not just about listing dishes; it’s a strategic blueprint for boosting profits and delighting diners, making it a vital tool for savvy restaurant owners. Engineering a menu involves analyzing dishes to determine their popularity and profitability, enabling […]

App & Technology Operational Efficiency
Clerk calculates the cost of a serving of coffee.

Recipe Costing 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Restaurant Operators

For restaurant owners, recipe costing is an ongoing operational concern. Savvy managers understand that as food costs change, so will individual recipe costs. Keeping up with these price fluctuations can take considerable time away from other operational tasks, but ignoring these regular price changes can send your food costs spiraling out of control. Fortunately, a […]

Operational Efficiency Technology
Paying for your bill tab at a restaurant café with cash money.

Revolutionize Tipped Wage Management with Automation

Labor costs represent a significant portion of a restaurant’s expenses, so efficient management of server minimum wage and tipped wages is paramount. Operators must handle tipped wages precisely to maintain profitability and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Innovative solutions like Back Office’s new tipped wage automation feature are transforming how restaurants handle their […]

Operational Efficiency
Balance sheet report with calculator

Reading Your Restaurant Balance Sheet: A Guide for Operators

Managing a successful restaurant requires a mix of culinary skills and shrewd financial management. Understanding the balance sheet is key to gaining insights into your business’s health and future direction. This guide simplifies balance sheets for restaurant owners, showing how you can use them for smarter decision-making and sustained success. What Is a Restaurant Balance […]

App & Technology Operational Efficiency
A cheeseburger and fries

How To Calculate Food Cost and Drive a More Profitable Restaurant

Understanding how to calculate food cost – and then applying those figures strategically to business operations – is a prime driver of restaurant success. It’s a reality many seasoned restaurant leaders acknowledge, often by way of hard-earned, costly lessons. Historically, controlling food costs has been a challenging feat complicated by a dynamic environment with ever-shifting […]

Operational Efficiency Technology
Hand stacks coins, showing rising wages for restaurant workers.

Navigating California Minimum Wage Legislation: How AB 1228 Affects Quick-Serve Restaurants

In recent years, California has led the movement to increase the minimum wage. Assembly Bill 1228 (AB 1228), which went into effect April 1, 2024, requires quick-serve restaurants to pay employees a minimum wage of $20/hour. In addition, AB 1228 established the nation’s first Fast Food Council, a consortium of foodservice workers, government appointees, and […]

Operational Efficiency
The Ingredient Impact

The Ingredient Impact: Why Restaurant Operators Need to Know

Running a successful restaurant is a delicate balancing act that requires attention to numerous details. From creating a mouthwatering menu to managing staff and providing excellent service, there’s a lot to consider. One often overlooked but critically important aspect is understanding which ingredients have the largest impact on your restaurant’s success. In this blog, we’ll […]

Operational Efficiency
Restaurant owner working on accounting in dining room.

3 Reasons Why Restaurants Need To Use Hospitality Specific Accountants To Improve Their Financial Results

The restaurant industry’s margins are slim, so success strongly hinges on sound financial management. The demand for specialized accounting services has never been more pronounced than where we see it today. Restaurant owners have recognized the necessity of partnering with accountants proficient in both general financial practices and the intricacies of restaurant operations. These specialized accountants aren’t […]