____________________________________________________________________________________ Technology
Integration
To drive real change, GMs need quick, relevant insight that supports their complex, challenging role; a simple, highly visual tool that provides no more than three or four actionable, empowering pieces of insight every day. Consolidating the diverse and deep data sets created by the existing technology stack into a real-time insight resource can transform the speed of decision making. In addition, AI tools can also make it easy for GMs to chat with the data and quickly understand how decisions affect the handful of Key Performance Indicators. Providing GMs with easy to consume, realtime data enables restaurant chains to embed profit-led decision making within day-to-day activity.
Optimizing for profitability
There are, of course, so many elements to running a successful restaurant. A restaurateur must have the magic combination of concept, ambience and location. A GM needs the diverse skill set and speed of response to manage a complex, high pressure environment. But intelligently manipulating diverse levers can also optimize profitability in real-time across the entire business.
A menu engineering matrix that identifies the top( stars) and bottom( dogs) menu performers allows a company to assess options to improve the profitability of each item by changing the ingredients or updating the description. Adding real-time insight into the mix means every change in ingredient price can be factored into this matrix, enabling the company to make the changes required to maintain a profit goal for each item, such as tweaking the recipe or opting for an alternate ingredient source.
In addition to real-time tracking of menu item costs, detailed understanding of inventory provides vital insight into trends, from price volatility to wastage. Identifying wastage sources, incidents and patterns, enables companies to minimize over ordering and cut costs. Tracking staffing patterns and costs, especially in the light of the hike in minimum wage for under 21s, is also key to understanding not only wage costs but also determining future strategy, from recruitment to training.
Conclusion
No one could underestimate the challenges facing the hospitality industry in 2026. Customer spending is down, costs are up and the outlook is tough. But there are very real opportunities to improve performance and keep growth plans on track – and many of the foundations are already in place.
Hospitality companies have invested in a compelling tech stack over the past five years, and they are excited about the possibilities of AI. The only way to maximize this potential and, critically, address the crippling cost pressures now imposed through staff costs and business rates is to leverage this tech stack. This means consolidating data and using it to empower individuals across the business in real time – especially at the sharp end where the impact can be immediately enjoyed. ■
Christian Mouysset www. gotenzo. com
Christian Mouysset is the Founder of Tenzo. Tenzo empowers restaurant operators to use their data to accelerate business performance. The company’ s purpose is to supercharge restaurant performance. The team believes that every restaurant operator should know what’ s going on in their business and what they can do to optimize their performance. By bringing their tech stacks together in one place, clients can get insights into how to hit metrics and shift from surviving to thriving.
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