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[mattm]

Restaurateurs are getting squeezed! Inflation is hurting your bottom line! And, at the same time it is keeping customers from having enough money to eat out as often. Here are the three keys to fighting inflation that are mentioned most often by the restaurateurs I have been talking to. What other ideas do you have on this subject?

1) Know your costs: Make a spreadsheet for each item on your menu. The spreadsheet should have all the costs for each menu items, the total cost, the selling price and the profit. Keep the spreadsheet updated as costs change.
2) Simplify: Now is the time to simplify your menu. Make sure all items on the menu are making money and bringing customers back.
3) Flexibility: Costs are going to change. You can’t always raise prices, but you can’t serve dishes that you are loosing money on either. You must be able to change your menu rapidly to keep from loosing money as inflation increases.