Hardly a day goes by without new headlines about the strained state of the hospitality industry. Whether it’s “Only every second hospitality business is profitable” or “Insolvencies on the rise: Hospitality sector fighting for survival” – the reports are piling up.
After years of massive setbacks due to the pandemic, the next wave of challenges is here: skyrocketing costs, a lack of staff, and increasing guest expectations are hitting entrepreneurs already operating at the edge of viability.
The Reality Behind the Scenes
At optimizes – that’s us, Michael and Alexander – we’ve spoken with numerous operators in recent months. From small bars to nightclubs to restaurant chains, we’ve seen it all. And in every conversation, we asked one key question:
“What is the most profitable dish or drink on your menu?”
The answers were surprising: Over 80% couldn’t name it with certainty.
That doesn’t mean these businesses are operating without a plan. But it clearly shows how overwhelming the current economic dynamics are – and that’s understandable. Many owners are once again directly involved in daily operations due to staffing shortages.
Operational Focus Instead of Financial Control
If you’re working in service every day, there’s little time for controlling, pricing strategies, or cost analysis.
Yet these are the crucial questions that determine the future:
- Do I have a viable pricing strategy?
- What’s the cost of goods sold per dish?
- Is my staffing level appropriate for my customer volume?
- Am I actually profitable at the end of the day?
These questions are often answered based on gut feeling – even though modern tools could easily provide data-based foundations.
Data Is Available – But Rarely Used
Most hospitality businesses today have access to:
- Reports from their POS system
- Guest statistics from reservation tools
- Digital staff planning
- Inventory management with real-time data
And yet we often hear:
“What’s the use of all that if I don’t have the time?”
Why We Founded optimizes
Our answer is clear: We handle the analysis so you can focus on what really matters.
With optimizes, we help hospitality entrepreneurs make informed, data-driven decisions. Together, we build systems that:
- Dynamically respond to changes
- Reveal potential savings
- Enable sustainable, profitable growth
Because: The future of hospitality lies in innovation.
And we believe:
Only those who combine tradition with data literacy will succeed in the long run.
Conclusion – Profitability Is Not a Luxury, It’s a Necessity
In an industry driven by passion, it’s understandable that business topics often take a back seat.
But: Those who don’t think economically today risk not being on the market tomorrow.
That’s why our call to action is:
Your 4 most important questions:
- Do you know your highest-margin products?
- Is your pricing calculation working?
- Is your staff optimally scheduled?
- Are you making decisions based on a system – or gut instinct?
If you can’t confidently answer each of these questions, we’re here to help.
optimizes – for a financially strong F&B industry.
#Becausewegobeyondperfection
