When you're managing a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) on the store, district, or regional level, having access to the right reports both on the location level and franchise-wide is crucial for making informed decisions that impact your business's overall health. However, in today's data-rich environment, making sure you are paying attention to the right reports and making sure they are as accurate as possible can be a daunting and time-consuming task. Balancing data-driven decision-making with hands-on management is the key to success in the restaurant industry. Here are five reports that can keep your QSRs in the black:
1. Sales
Sales keep the restaurant engine running smoothly. They're not just numbers; they impact everything — from how you run day-to-day to how you grow. So, having a straightforward sales report is like having a GPS for your restaurant business. It should tell you how you're doing on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis compared to what you thought you'd be doing.
Knowing your sales scoop lets you stay nimble. If sales are taking an unexpected dip, you can rev things up. Maybe you spark some friendly competition among your crew to pump up those numbers or get savvy about labor costs. It's all about keeping the restaurant ship sailing smoothly.
2. Labor
Labor costs are a significant expense in the restaurant industry. How you manage your payroll can be the difference between sinking or swimming. You want to make sure your restaurant is well-staffed when things are bustling but not throwing money overboard during the quiet spells. Reports on labor trends for the day, week, and month are essential for optimizing this critical aspect of your operation.
Breaking down labor costs by department helps identify areas that may require additional staffing or training. It's crucial to distinguish between hourly employees and manager labor, particularly for compliance purposes.
3. Comps and Voids
Comp and void reports may sound like a restaurant's version of detective work, but they're important to monitor for the health of the business. Monitoring comp (complimentary items) and void (removed items from orders) reports can help identify potential issues before they escalate. Unusual patterns in comps and voids may indicate mistakes, errors, or even potential theft.
These reports are gold when it comes to identifying a need for better or more training. When you notice an increase in comps or voids during a specific shift or by a particular staff member, it's an opportunity to provide additional guidance and prevent future pitfalls.
4. Food Costs
Those pesky, uncontrollable food costs — while they may not always be as easy to maneuver as labor expenses, monitoring these reports provide insights into managing your restaurant's food inventory efficiently. Real-time data on food costs, purchases, and stock levels help you make informed decisions about ordering and reducing food waste.
High food costs can be a big sign pointing to overordering, underordering, or food safety and storage issues. Getting on top of these issues can help you maintain profitability and guest satisfaction.
5. Customer Service Reports
Exceptional customer service is a cornerstone of a successful restaurant. Customer service reports provide valuable insights into guest satisfaction levels needed to stay on top of your game. Metrics such as guest feedback, response times to guest inquiries or complaints, and staff performance evaluations are essential components of these reports. Reports like the OSAT can also help you identify areas for improvement.
Analyzing these reports also allows you to handle issues quickly, refine staff training programs, and maintain a consistently high level of guest satisfaction. After all, happy guests are more likely to keep coming back and recommend your restaurant to their friends and family!
In a world drowning in data, honing in on these five essential reports can help restaurant leaders make sound decisions without overwhelming themselves with information. With WorkSpark, our QSR Specialty Assistants can not only have these reports done and ready for management when they unlock the doors in the morning, but they can also provide all of the vital reports a franchise owner needs to steer stores toward growth and profitability while ensuring managers have the time they need to provide exceptional service to both employees and guests. Call us today to learn more!
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