Cost of living: how the right team can deliver affordable menus

Restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes and eateries of all sizes are having to contend with the cost-of-living crisis - and for most, this means unveiling more competitively priced menus to get more covers in the door. While it’s true that most hospitality venues have been eager to offer value for money for quite some time, there’s been a trend for higher-end establishments to unleash more accessible priced menus recently.

This phenomenon first appeared on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic. With many restaurants reopening for the first time in months, and with restricted hours to boot, it was important to entice as many customers through the doors in as safe a manner as possible. While the days of lockdowns may be behind us, consumers are facing a new challenge: the cost-of-living crisis.

Rising inflation, increased energy costs and general economic uncertainty have all meant that UK consumers are tightening their belts like never before. This has created a particular set of challenges for restaurateurs around the country, many of whom are seeking to balance a quality menu which offers value for money, but crucially generates profit. In fact, it’s one of the main hospitality trends for 2022.

Can the hospitality industry benefit from cheaper menus?

In an era of high inflation, it might make sense for those in hospitality to be looking at increasing their prices, not dropping them. However, it’s a simple fact that those who can afford to deliver quality menus at affordable rates will cope best in terms of hospitality recovery this season.

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge was one of the first mainstream hospitality icons to embrace the “cost of living” offer, by delivering a two-course set lunch for £15. While some may have considered Kerridge’s price drop as a mere publicity stunt, it’s an idea smaller eatery can certainly learn from.

How the right team can help you deliver a winning cost-of-living menu

One of the recent hospitality trends involves sourcing ingredients which help businesses to do their bit for the environment by using high-quality produce which might have otherwise gone to waste on account of its shape or physical attributes. This phenomenon, often known as “wonky” produce, can help to wildly reduce on-costs while ensuring your restaurant has access to fresh ingredients your customers will love.

Getting your bar, hotelor hospitality recruitment right is more than about simply having friendly, presentable, hard-working, and personable staff. With the right kitchen management in place, you could be able to unlock the sourcing of quality ingredients for cheaper, by having a dedicated team in place who are willing to put the effort in to develop lasting working relationships with suppliers.

For further information on how hospitality recruitment could transform your current business setup, please feel free to contact us today. A member of our professional team will be happy to offer information on how our agency can help meet your needs.