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Case Study > Hospitality

Figueroa Philly’s Path to Lower Food Costs

Figueroa Philly’s Path to Lower Food Costs

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Executive Summary

Figueroa Philly owner Danny Hizami faced challenges managing food costs despite strong sales. Manual processes and lack of visibility into ingredient pricing made it hard to track profitability. After implementing Back Office, Danny gained real-time insights, automated reporting, and supplier price comparisons. The result: a 5% reduction in food costs and more time to focus on his customers. Back Office gave him the financial clarity needed to grow confidently in a competitive market.

The Problem

When Danny Hizami embarked on his journey to bring the iconic East Coast cheesesteak to Southern California, he faced a steep learning curve. As the owner of Figueroa Philly, he quickly discovered that while his background in the food industry provided a solid foundation, it didn’t prepare him for the complexities of managing food costs across an entire restaurant. Danny felt a disconnect between his revenue and profit margins despite making sales. He struggled to track ingredient costs, making it difficult to ensure that he was operating profitably. As a result, he often relied on gut feelings and anecdotal evidence rather than hard data, leading to missed opportunities for cost savings and financial growth.

The Solution

The Back Office provided Danny with the comprehensive solution he needed to control his food costs and optimize his restaurant’s financial management.

By leveraging Back Office’s sophisticated yet user-friendly platform, Danny could automatically track his food costs, generate detailed reports, and visualize data trends without the hassle of manual entry. The software offered features such as budget setting, supplier price comparisons, and real-time inventory management, allowing him to make informed purchasing decisions. This solution simplified his day-to-day operations and empowered him to focus on what he loved—serving delicious cheesesteaks.

Results

Since implementing Back Office, Danny has experienced a notable 5% reduction in food costs. The automation of food cost tracking has saved him countless hours, enabling him to redirect his efforts toward enhancing the customer experience at Figueroa Philly. The ability to compare prices among suppliers has not only kept costs down but has also allowed Danny to source higher-quality ingredients without sacrificing flavor or profitability. He now has a clearer understanding of where his money is going and can quickly identify areas for improvement.

“When you get caught up in running a restaurant, you have blinders on. Back Office really gives you a full picture of your restaurant.”

– Danny Hizami, Figueroa Philly

With the insights gained from Back Office, Danny has completely changed Figueroa Philly’s financial landscape. The software’s capabilities have not only lowered his food costs but have also instilled confidence in his operational decisions. As he continues to grow his business, Danny feels empowered to focus on the culinary aspects that brought him into the industry while trusting Back Office to provide the financial clarity he needs. The partnership has proven invaluable in navigating the complexities of running a restaurant, positioning Figueroa Philly for sustained success in the competitive Southern California market.

About Figueroa Philly

Figueroa Philly has been serving up what many call the best cheesesteak in Los Angeles for over a decade. Founded by industry veteran Danny Hizami, the restaurant quickly became a go-to spot for USC students, sports fans, and visitors to Expo Park. Located in the heart of South LA’s Figueroa Corridor, Figueroa Philly blends East Coast flavor with West Coast roots—staying true to Danny’s mission of bringing authentic cheesesteaks to the city he calls home.

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Food Cost Management

Danny leveraged our food costing features to automate tracking, set budgets, and compare supplier prices without manual inventory counts.

5%

COGS Reduction

By avoiding over-ordering and keeping ingredient prices low, David successfully reduced his COGS from 45% to 40%, lowering his overall food costs by 5%.

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