Are you thinking about opening a bistro but are worried about the associated costs? If so, you have come to the right place. It’s no secret that starting your own business can be expensive.
Starting a new venture is intimidating, and choosing to open an upmarket bistro can add even more complexity and pressure. Not only do you want it to be profitable but also appealing to customers. This all requires some upfront investments of time and money.
There are techniques you can use that will save you money while ensuring your establishment looks and operates at the top of its game. In this article, we discuss five expert tips for saving money when opening an upmarket bistro so that you don’t go over budget during the launch stage.
Start Small and Grow Gradually
One of the most important factors to keep in mind when opening an upmarket bistro is that you should start small and grow gradually. Instead of investing too much too soon, start with a smaller menu and clientele base so that expenses stay reasonable while revenue increases.
If you expand your business too quickly, you may struggle to keep up with demand and overhead costs. It’s better to grow slowly, offering quality service and food as your reputation builds up.
Use Lots of Fresh Seasonal Produce
It’s true that fresh food makes for better meals, but it can also be beneficial for your budget! If you purchase local fresh produce instead of frozen or pre-packaged items will save you a lot of money.
Seasonal produce tends to be cheaper as there is abundance at certain times throughout the year. Schedule your menus around seasonal ingredients to save all year round. You should also consider partnering with local farms to get better quality and pricing on goods.
Make Strategic Alliances With Suppliers
If you establish good relationships with your suppliers from the start, they may offer additional discounts or flexible payment options. This could help bring down your costs significantly over time. You’ll also experience fewer delivery problems and less waste on materials due to stockpiling.
From fresh produce to restaurant furniture, you’ll get the best quality goods from professional suppliers if you build rapport with them.
Hire Multi-Talented Staff Members
As previously mentioned, running a business is expensive, so hiring qualified staff members who are capable of doing multiple tasks is extremely beneficial. When recruiting staff members, look out for candidates who have strong multitasking skills, such as waiters who have basic culinary knowledge. Or staff who can wait, bartend and cook meals so they can support fellow colleagues whenever needed.
Market Your Bistro Effectively
Without the right marketing strategy in place, you may struggle to bring in new customers and keep up with your competition. Fortunately, there are a number of affordable ways to market your bistro without breaking the bank. Here are some tips for marketing your new bistro on a budget.
Set Up a Facebook Page
Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites around, so setting up a page for your business is essential. The advantage of setting up a page is that it’s completely free!
Once you’ve created your page, upload attractive photos of your food and get people involved by posting regular updates and interactive content for them to engage with. You could even offer special discounts or promotions exclusively for followers on Facebook.
Explore Local Networking Opportunities
Join local business networks and attend events related to food or dining in order to network with other restaurant owners, vendors, and customers in the area. You can make great contacts this way and gain valuable insights into how other businesses succeed at attracting customers through their marketing efforts. Plus, it’s free!
Take Advantage of Digital Marketing Tools
There are many online tools available that can help you grow your customer base by running targeted advertisements across different search engines and social media sites.
Many small businesses find these digital marketing tools to be more cost-effective than traditional print advertising methods such as newspaper ads or direct mailers. Plus, they offer additional advantages such as detailed tracking capabilities so that you can easily measure the effectiveness of each campaign.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many ways you can save money when opening a new bistro. Follow the tips in this article so you can surpass your competitors and become a powerhouse in your industry.
