How Refreshing Your Food & Beverage Can Boost Your Property’s Success
From the moment many hotels and business properties are conceived, food and beverage (F&B) services are often an integral part of the design. Initially, these services are created to meet the basic needs of guests, whether it's a place to enjoy a meal or a convenient coffee shop for building tenants. However, the F&B landscape has evolved beyond simple necessity. Both corporate and boutique properties have discovered that revitalizing their F&B outlets can significantly enhance branding, marketing, tenant and guest satisfaction, and most importantly revenue.
At the core, it's all about social psychology. Just like animals, people are naturally drawn to gather at places that offer the best combination of comfort, ambiance, and high-quality, delicious food. By modernizing your menu with fresh, creative offerings, retraining your service staff, and updating your space, you can see a return on investment within just 9-12 months. A well-executed refresh benefits everyone guests, tenants, and owners alike.
Here are five steps to help you refreshing your restaurant food and beverage:
1. Identify Barriers for Your Guests
Start by taking a hard look at what might be deterring guests or tenants from fully utilizing your F&B services. Is it outdated décor, slow service, or a menu that lacks excitement? Is the ordering process cumbersome or the space itself uninviting? Imagine walking into your property from a guest's perspective. Are they greeted by a fresh, welcoming atmosphere or something that feels tired and uninspired? Be brutally honest. Also, assess your staff—are they genuinely engaging with guests, or just going through the motions? Addressing these hurdles is the first step toward a successful refresh.
2.Craft a Solid Game Plan
A real F&B refresh is more than just a new coat of paint and a few updated menu items. To make an impact, your changes need to be visible and memorable. First, establish a realistic budget. Your costs may include staff training, research and development (R&D), consulting services, new equipment, marketing, and potentially a light or major remodel. Think beyond the basics—what elements of your space or service need a noticeable change to truly stand out?
3. Leverage Your Team’s Talents
Refreshing your restaurant food and beverage doesn’t have to be led solely by management. You may have a star bartender, chef, or server whose creativity or skill set could be invaluable to the process. Involving your team not only brings fresh ideas but also fosters a sense of ownership in the outcome. If you find your talent pool is lacking, now might be the time to seek outside help, whether in the form of consultants, temporary management support, or collaborations with local experts.
4. Understand Your Market and Avoid Trends for Trends’ Sake
It’s tempting to chase trends, especially when you see other restaurants with lines out the door. But just because something is popular elsewhere doesn’t mean it’s right for your property. Knowing your market is key—not just understanding your current guests, but also identifying the potential guests you're not attracting yet. Is your price point too high or too low? Does your image align with the clientele you're trying to reach? If you're aiming to elevate your brand, you might need to introduce more premium F&B offerings, but be mindful of whether your audience can support the higher price points. Decide if you want to elevate your F&B to serve a higher-end clientele, cater to the majority, or find a balance between the two.
Leverage what’s already working. For instance, if your breakfast service is strong, consider enhancing it with premium coffee drinks, artisanal baked goods, or expanded breakfast catering services. Focus on building off your strengths while still targeting areas of growth.
5. Execute and Market Your refreshing your restaurant food and beverage
Once your new and improved F&B offerings are ready, it’s time to roll them out strategically. Make sure your staff is fully trained, and plan a marketing campaign to create buzz around your refresh. Pre-launch mock services or soft openings can help fine-tune the guest experience before your official unveiling. Localized marketing—whether through building tenants, neighborhood flyers, or social media—can gauge initial reactions and give you insight into how your refresh is being received.
Remember, not everyone will love change—some long-time regulars may mourn the loss of old favorites. But while a few vocal critics may resist, evolving your F&B program is essential to staying relevant in the ever-changing hospitality landscape.
At Savory Hospitality, we specialize in refreshing your restaurant food and beverage and revitalizing F&B services in hotels and commercial properties. Our team works with clients to create tailored, impactful updates that boost brand awareness, improve guest experiences, and increase overall property value.
Contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss how we can help elevate your property’s F&B services.
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