baked goods that won’t break your diet

Posted on: 4 March 2015

If your restaurant is like many, you probably like to offer complimentary bread to your customers as they are seated at your tables. It's a great way to get them ready for their meal, to show them your appreciation and to keep them satisfied while you're preparing their orders, but you could be worried about the cost. Although bread isn't particularly expensive when compared to other foods in a restaurant, the costs can add up when you're giving it away to everyone who walks through the door. Luckily, there are a few different ways that you can shave down costs, so give these tips a try.

Look for a New Wholesale Bread Supplier

You don't necessarily have to purchase your bread through the same company that you purchase other food for your restaurant from. Instead, consider contacting a few local bakeries in your area to inquire about bulk costs. You might be able to find a cheaper wholesale bread supplier this way, and you'll be supporting local businesses. Plus, if you get your bread from a bakery in your area, it will probably be even fresher, which your customers are sure to appreciate. (Click here to learn more.)

Consider Making it Yourself

Even if you have never made bread before, it's relatively easy. If you have a large mixer and an oven, you can make your own bread with a few simple ingredients, like flour, water and yeast. It might take a few tries to get it down-pat, but you might find that it's a lot cheaper to make your own bread in-house rather than purchasing it. Plus, your customers will be getting the freshest bread possible, and the smell of fresh bread baking in your restaurant is sure to draw in a crowd.

Cut Down on the Amount That's Served

If you or your servers take out a basket of bread every time that a table is seated, there's a chance that a lot of bread is being wasted. These are a few ways that you can reduce the amount of bread that is served—and wasted—in your restaurant:

• Offer just one piece of bread per customer per basket. If customers want more, bring them another basket.
• Wait until customers order; then, if customers are only ordering dessert or drinks, you can ask if they want bread. In many cases, the answer will be no, and no bread will be wasted.
• Add an entry to your menu that complimentary bread will brought to the table by request. Then, you can only bring bread to the customers who actually want and request it.

As you can see, there are a number of ways that you can cut down on the cost of complimentary bread at your restaurant. Implement a few of these tips, and the savings should be phenomenal.