Whether you manage a diner in the middle of the city, or a sprawling restaurant in the countryside, you will rely heavily on outsourcing, and with a long list of essential service providers, it is possible to keep things running smoothly. The Internet has made the restaurant manager’s job a lot easier, with all of the essential service providers having an online presence, ordering is no longer the ordeal it once was. All the necessary daily deliveries can be arranged from a smartphone, and should anything require emergency attention, a single call would have the service or repair company on their way. Outsourcing plays a major role in the food and beverage sector, with everything from linen supply to staff recruitment handled by third party providers, and without the many small businesses that work tirelessly in the background, the operation would simply grind to a halt.
Linen Hire
This would include table linen and staff uniforms, and with the table being the stage where your delicious dishes are presented, it is critical that nothing is left to chance, and rather than making a heavy investment in quality table linen, contact a linen hire company that specialises in the hospitality industry, and they would have an impressive range of top quality items that are delivered as and when required – which would typically be every 3 or 4 days – and this would ensure that your dining tables are immaculately set out. If you are in need of restaurant linen services, all it takes to make contact with an established provider is an online search, and make sure you deal with an established company, one that has the necessary resources to ensure reliability. Staff uniforms are critical, and if one of your customers wishes to complement the chef, he needs to be suitably attired. The people who work in the restaurant should always be impeccably dressed and with the right linen supplier in your corner, you can rest assured that your staff will always be presentable.
Kitchen Maintenance
Nothing has to endure the level of punishment like a commercial kitchen, and it is imperative to have a local servicing company who would ensure that the kitchen is always in tip top condition and ready for work. All major appliances must be serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and let us not forget the canopies and ducting, which need regular cleaning, as does the grease trap, and one really has no choice but to outsource this to a specialist commercial kitchen cleaning contractor, as they have all the necessary equipment, and by arranging the calls in the very early hours, your busy schedule will not be affected by the servicing of the kitchen.
Climate Control
The HVAC system performs an essential task, which is maintaining a comfortable temperature, and in order to achieve this, the system will require regular servicing, which might be as often as every month, and this will ensure that your customers will always feel comfortable, no matter what time of year it is. You would need a rapid response in the event of a breakdown, and with the right servicing company, you can be sure of prompt service. This would be something that is contracted out on a yearly basis, and with this covered, you can focus on other aspects on the business, safe in the knowledge that climate control is covered. Ideally, the company that installed the system can also maintain it, as they would have an intimate knowledge of the inner workings, and most suppliers would happily take on a maintenance contract.
Marketing
This is not something to tackle yourself, and with digital marketing agencies that can put your establishment firmly on the map, you can concentrate on providing an excellent dining experience. Ideally, the agency would create a digital marketing plan that would include search engine optimisation and, of course, social media marketing, which is a very popular way for people to make restaurant bookings. If you want maximum exposure with the right target groups, you will need the help of a digital marketing expert, and they will use a variety of techniques to ensure you have a strong online presence, which is essential if you want to attract the right type of clients.
Ongoing Support
SEO services need to be ongoing, and with so much competition, you really do need to think outside the box when marketing is concerned, and something like your very own mobile app would make booking a breeze, and with seasonal promotions that are sent directly to your customer’s mobile phones, you have the ideal marketing platform. The company website would be your flagship and should contain menu information, with lots of high resolution images that capture the warm ambience, and also details of up and coming promotions, which will always generate interest.
Building Maintenance
Every commercial building needs maintaining, and this would be something to outsource to a local builder. You could arrange for him to visit periodically and repair anything that needs attention, and this would include regular roof inspections, cleaning out guttering and downpipes, and also emptying the grease trap regularly. Twice a year would be adequate for building inspections, which would entail a thorough inspection of the structure both inside and out, and this will ensure that any repairs are carried out promptly.
Fresh Produce
This is another daily requirement, and a local supplier would be able to deliver fresh fruit and vegetables to your door, along with other food products that are needed. Meats and special items can be stored in the freezers and you should always keep a backup supply of everything, just in case there is ever a shortage.
Outsourcing enables a retail food outlet to maintain a high standard, and with online solutions, sourcing essential services has never been easier. Next time you are dining out, spare a thought for the many small businesses that work tirelessly in the background to ensure the customer has an excellent dining experience.
