Newsletter #2
Restaurant Wingman – Issue #2 🍽️
Your go-to weekly guide for restaurant news, tips, and tech.
📈 Industry News: Is Ghost Kitchen Growth Slowing?
After explosive growth during the pandemic, ghost kitchens are hitting a wall. A recent industry report shows a 15% drop in ghost kitchen profitability compared to 2023. Why? Customers are craving in-person experiences again, and high third-party delivery fees are eating into margins.
Pro tip: If you're running a ghost kitchen or heavy on takeout, explore in-house delivery options or partner with local apps to cut costs and build loyalty.
🛠️ Restaurant Tips of the Week
How to Improve Staff Retention Without Breaking the Bank
- Weekly Check-Ins: 10-minute one-on-ones go a long way in building trust.
- Mini Milestones: Celebrate small wins (like a perfect review or shift hero).
- Skill Swaps: Cross-train staff to keep things fresh and prevent burnout.
Pro tip: A little recognition goes a long way. Try a simple “Employee Shoutout” board in your staff room or Slack channel.
💻 Tech Tip: Simple Scheduling Software That Saves You Hours
If you're still doing schedules in Excel, it’s time to upgrade. Tools like 7shifts and Homebase offer drag-and-drop scheduling, real-time shift swaps, and even labor cost forecasting.
Pro tip: Look for software that syncs with your POS system for real-time labor % tracking.
🧀 Wingman Cheese
What did the chef say after breaking up with their POS system?
“You just weren’t my type.” 😅
📬 Got a challenge in your restaurant?
Reply to this email and your Wingman will cover it in a future issue!
Until next week,
– The Restaurant Wingman ✈️
