Eckstut Consulting | Restaurant Consultant in Rockland County | Westchester County
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Marketing and Cost Control During Slow Revenue Per Marketing and Cost Control During Slow Revenue Periods
Almost all restaurants experience seasonal fluctuations—there are "good times" when customer traffic is high during peak season, and there are "slow times" or the "off-season" when business tapers off. In between, restaurants face varying levels of customer activity based on factors like location, weather, holidays, events, or broader business cycles.
During these slow periods, restaurateurs face a significant challenge: CASH FLOW issues. Simply put, there’s not enough revenue coming in to cover all the expenses. As a result, restaurant owners must make tough decisions to cut costs, borrow money, or, ideally, find additional ways to bring in revenue to ease the financial strain.

Cutting Costs to Survive the Slow Period
The first step many restaurant owners take during slow revenue periods is to "tighten the belt" by reducing expenses. However, not all costs can be slashed. Certain fixed costs, like utilities and rent, remain constant regardless of sales. But there are some areas where cost-cutting can provide some necessary relief:
Payroll Adjustments: In almost every restaurant the most significant expense is labor. During slow periods, reducing employee hours or offering temporary layoffs—especially for tipped employees—can help ease the burden. (Be mindful of maintaining positive relationships with your team so they are eager to return when business picks back up.)
Inventory Control: Reducing inventory dollars can also help with the cash flow, as lower foot traffic means less need for dry goods and perishable products.
Vendors: Some vendors may be open to flexible payment arrangements during the off-season. Established long-term relationships with suppliers may open doors for delayed or split payments. Credit card payments, although having high interest rates, are short term (until business picks back up) options.
Operational Efficiency: Evaluate operational costs and find areas where small savings can add up. This is also the opportunity to fine tune operations year-round. https://eckstutconsulting.com/marketing-and-cost-control-during-slow-revenue-periods/
Restaurateur Malady Restaurateur Malady
Are you tired of dreaming your dream of owning a r Are you tired of dreaming your dream of owning a restaurant? 
Are you looking to enjoy what you are doing with your life? 
Do you want to make this happen?

As a few others have done, reach out to me.  I have made their dream a reality.  I can help you do the same.

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The culture of a city is its food and music. Here' The culture of a city is its food and music. Here's New Orleans. What is your food and entertainment? 

#rocklandcountybusiness #nayackrestaurant #legaladvice #restauranttips #familybusiness #restaurantsuccess #hirealaywer #restaurantconsultant #businesstips #legalbusiness #restaurantindustry #restaurantmanager #restaurantowner #restaurantconsulting #restaurantindustry #foodserviceindustry #hospitalityconsultant #hospitalityindustry #restaurantinvestor #piermontNY #rocklandcounty #lowerhudsonvalley #tarrytownNY #nyackNY #hudsonvalley #yonkersNY #whiteplainsNY #tenaflyNJ #nyrestaurant #nycrestaurants
What do I do? I "SAVE" RESTAURANTS! Folks in ev What do I do?  I "SAVE" RESTAURANTS! 

Folks in every walk of life sometimes need "saving." Those who famously succeed have often had earlier missteps. 
•	Peyton Manning threw 26 interceptions his first year, but he turned things around and is in the Football Hall of Fame.
•	Milton Hershey’s first two candy companies went "belly-up" - but that didn’t stop him from bringing chocolate to the masses.
•	Steve Jobs? Fired from his own company, but got his business back and then made some incredible Apple business magic.
•	Albert Einstein wasn’t too successful in school, but....you know the rest! 

We all make errors/mistakes/miscalculations. That’s how we learn.

All successful people have determination AND mentors/advisers/coaches helping behind the scene!

In the restaurant business, those miscalculations can lead to significant financial consequences.

To counter this, mentors can pinpoint problems, and by using their own past experiences, help get businesses back on their feet and moving towards success.

If your restaurant is facing challenging times, perhaps I am the coach who can advise you. This is what I have done in the past. Let me help you in the present --- towards a better future!

My clients succeed!

#rocklandcountybusiness, #nayackrestaurant #legaladvice #restauranttips #familybusiness #restaurantsuccess #hirealaywer #restaurantconsultant #businesstips #legalbusiness #restaurantindustry #restaurantmanager #restaurantowner #restaurantconsulting #restaurantindustry #foodserviceindustry #hospitalityconsultant #hospitalityindustry #restaurantinvestor #piermontNY #rocklandcounty #lowerhudsonvalley #tarrytownNY #nyackNY #hudsonvalley #yonkersNY #whiteplainsNY #tenaflyNJ #nyrestaurant #nycrestaurants
Don't sign anything ……..without a lawyer to re Don't sign anything ……..without a lawyer to review and advise.

If you are new to business ownership, then my number one piece of advice is: "Don't sign anything binding without legal review - especially a lease. And, if you don't know if what you are signing is legally binding, then ask a lawyer!"

Lawyers are your protection, and they are protecting your investment, your business, and you. So in a way, what you pay them for services is "Protection Money." And, if your lawyer is good at what she does, then she is more than worth the money!

In addition, make sure the attorney you hire is a business/real estate lawyer, not your divorce lawyer or the like. After all, you wouldn't want your knee doctor operating on your heart.

Like any other major purchase from a vendor, check references. You and your attorney will be working together for many successful years to come. You want to know it's someone you can trust. 

#rocklandcountybusiness, #nayackrestaurant #legaladvice #restauranttips #familybusiness #restaurantsuccess #hirealaywer #restaurantconsultant #businesstips #legalbusiness #restaurantindustry #restaurantmanager #restaurantowner #restaurantconsulting #restaurantindustry #foodserviceindustry #hospitalityconsultant #hospitalityindustry #restaurantinvestor #piermontNY #rocklandcounty #lowerhudsonvalley #tarrytownNY #nyackNY #hudsonvalley #yonkersNY #whiteplainsNY #tenaflyNJ #nyrestaurant #nycrestaurant
It is said that “First Impressions are Everythin It is said that “First Impressions are Everything.” And in the restaurant business that is most certainly true.  Front door glass with dirty fingerprints on it.  Unkempt entranceway.  Greeter playing with his cellphone.  Music/ambience as the customer walks in.  Outdoor lights not on - I.e. dark and dreary look on the street. (And there’s more!

For the restaurant owner, one of the hardest things to do is keep checking on that 1st impression for his/her customers.  What I always suggest is for you, the owner, to go outside and walk down the street and then back to your entrance.  What do you see? Feel?  That’s what the customer sees and feels.  Are you actually presenting the welcoming you want to greet each and every customer?

If the first impression of your restaurant is not right, how many customers might you lose?  If it is wrong and the people don’t even come in the door and get seated, it doesn’t even matter that your food and service are GREAT!

The moral of the story?  Go outside and walk back into your restaurant.  Ask friends/employees what they feel when they walk into your restaurant.  Make sure you are giving the right 1st impression!

👇 Do you have a restaurant question that needs answering? A tip to share? Let me know in the comments below!

#tuesdaytip #tiptuesday #managementmeeting #successtip #restaurantsuccess #restaurantindustry #restaurantmanager #serverlife #servermemes #restaurantequipment #businesstips #hvac #restaurantlife #server #restaurantmemes #serviceindustry #waitermemes #restaurantindustry #restaurantmanagement #serverlifeproblems #cheflife #businessowner #restaurantindustry #restaurantowner #restaurantinvestor #nyfoodie #newyorkfood #newyorkeats #businesstips #managementtips

photo by Daria Nepriakhina
A Thursday Tip: If CASH FLOW is not good (or wors A Thursday Tip:

If CASH FLOW is not good (or worse), what are the services/expenses to cut?

The Answer?  NOT MARKETING! -  Although that is the easiest thing to do, it is the biggest mistake. 

Cash flow is low probably because sales are low.  And what is the best way to get sales to grow?  Effective marketing!!! 

So why would you want to cut the biggest hope to turn the cash flow crisis around?  The answer to that question is:  It’s probably the easiest thing to cut out.  That decision is WRONG!  Potentially DEAD WRONG!

Figure out how to diminish other immediate expenses: labor, equipment, payables that can be delayed, etc.

And, increase non-expenditure marketing though being more aggressive in social media, website, promos, etc. 

You need to find MORE effective ways - not LESS -  of getting  more customers to spend more money in your restaurant.  And do it right away!

👇 Do you have a restaurant question that needs answering? A tip to share? Let me know in the comments below!

#tuesdaytip #tiptuesday #managementmeeting #successtip #restaurantsuccess #restaurantindustry #restaurantmanager #serverlife #servermemes #restaurantequipment #businesstips #hvac #restaurantlife #server #restaurantmemes #serviceindustry #waitermemes #restaurantindustry #restaurantmanagement #serverlifeproblems #cheflife #businessowner #restaurantindustry #restaurantowner #restaurantinvestor #nyfoodie #newyorkfood #newyorkeats #businesstips #managementtips
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