5 Key Restaurant Reports for Successfully Operating Businesses

Effective restaurant reporting is crucial for maintaining a thriving business in the dynamic restaurant industry. These reports provide detailed insights into various aspects of your business performance, from managing staff and food service to conducting strategic evaluations and making informed decisions.

- Naji Haddad, Vice President, EMEA at Deliverect.

Need for Constant Vigilance & Adaptation

Running a restaurant requires continuous vigilance and the ability to adapt. Insightful reporting allows you to identify areas needing improvement and helps ensure you're on track to achieve your goals. Modern restaurant management tools simplify this process, eliminating the need for manual data compilation and spreadsheet management.

Streamlining Operations with Modern Tools

With tools like Deliverect, which integrate seamlessly with your POS system, you can automate orders and minimize errors. These tools enable a deeper understanding of your business through critical analytics and reporting while reducing the risk of human error.

Customizable Reporting for Unique Business Needs

What if you require something tailored to your specific business? Most restaurant management tools offer in-depth and customizable data that allow you to create reports tailored to your restaurant’s needs. This means you can select the most critical data for your success and choose the frequency of measurement—whether weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

Key Reports to Focus On

To maximize the benefits of restaurant reporting, it's essential to focus on specific types of reports. Below are five key reports you should pay close attention to:

> Inventory Reports: Inventory costs are a significant part of a restaurant’s budget, second only to labour costs. Regularly monitoring inventory helps prevent wastage and optimize spending. Inventory reports provide up-to-date analysis on which items you use most and how often you need to restock them. This knowledge enables you to make informed, cost-effective decisions like buying in bulk, switching to cheaper substitutes, or forming partnerships with vendors.

> Menu Reports: Crafting a menu that appeals to diners or captures the essence of a particular cuisine doesn’t guarantee success. Often, restaurant owners and managers overlook the financial implications of signature dishes. Menu reporting helps you create menus that satisfy both customer preferences and your restaurant’s financial health. It details the popularity and profitability of each item, allowing you to focus on the most profitable dishes and eliminate those that don’t perform well.

> Sales Analysis Reports: Understanding your sales patterns is fundamental to managing a successful restaurant. Sales reports provide insights into the overall health of your business and indicate if any current operations need to be adjusted. While similar to menu reports, sales reports focus more on evaluating your operations and the efficiency of your business model. They track revenue trends over time, highlight peak hours, and assess the impact of promotions or discounts.

> Payroll and Employee Management Reports: Your staff is the most valuable asset to your business, playing a crucial role in customer experience. However, they also represent your most significant expense. Payroll reports monitor and track essential employee metrics, such as attendance, labour costs, pay stubs, and scheduled hours. By comparing these metrics, you can review your finances comprehensively and address any scheduling issues that may be affecting profitability.

> Online Ordering and Delivery Reports: In today’s digital age, online ordering and delivery are indispensable for restaurants. Online order reports have become increasingly vital to a restaurant’s success, offering insights into customer behaviour, order abandonment rates, and preferred ordering times. These reports help you understand which platforms your customers use most, influence your social media marketing strategies, and give you a clearer picture of your customer base.

Conclusion: Power of Data-Driven Decisions

Leveraging these essential restaurant reports empowers you to make data-driven decisions that enhance profitability and operational efficiency. By harnessing the power of comprehensive reporting tools, you can navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the competitive restaurant industry.