Make better data-driven decisions

From the start of a restaurant’s day through the end, there are hundreds of decisions to be made about the business. Data can help operators ensure they make the best decisions possible – from where in the dining room to seat a guest to how to manage demand for your popular new menu item. Data’s potential in helping a restaurant compete can feel practically limitless. But this can also make data management feel like an overwhelming task – like there is always going to be a task left on the table. A recent Harvard Business Review report identified several strategies to using data to guide better operational decisions. They may help refine your focus when it comes to using data for both long- and near-term needs. For example: Mining public intelligence can help you decide where to open your next restaurant – by using not only business intelligence platforms but also insights you can gain from social media platforms and menu search queries, you can gain a better understanding of what consumers are craving and where. Your data can also allow you to cherry-pick your most loyal guests from those looking for a table on a popular date, then determine which of your employees should serve them. It can help you identify at what point a long line out the door stops attracting curious guests and starts to become a labor problem. Finally, your data can help you better predict what guests will order – and allow you to reliably provide it to them – while also giving you the power to toggle between ordering channels to best manage demand. When you can get these areas right, you can drive up your experience factor – that feeling a guest gets that their money and time with you have been well spent.