Studies from The Perry Group and The Restaurant Brokers suggest that 90% of restaurants that are independently owned close within one year of opening. Moreover, 70% of restaurants that manage to survive for 12 months close their doors within the next three to five years. So, it’s no exaggeration to state that the vast majority of restaurants that open in this world don’t succeed. But that doesn’t mean yours can’t.
We’ve explored what restaurant analytics is and how data analytics for restaurants can help you understand your business on a deeper level. But before we drill down into the specific ways in which restaurant data analytics can enhance your empire, it’s important to grasp the general role of predictive data in the service industry.
While predictive analytics isn’t some form of magic digital psychic, this branch of forward-thinking data and insight can help your restaurant make invaluable changes based on trends that suggest how particular elements of your business are likely to unfold.
Here are the primary roles of predictive analytics in restaurants:
1. Forecasting trends
Restaurant predictive analytics use historical as well as real-time data to forecast future strengths, weaknesses, and trends. By gaining access to this information, usually with the help of a live dashboard, you’ll be able to formulate strategies and create initiatives that will help enhance the future success of your business.
2. Panoramic vision
By working with predictive analytics, you’ll gain the ability to drill down into past and present trends, insights and visualizations and thus, create a narrative with your data. In doing so, you’ll enjoy a panoramic vision of your venture, gaining the perspective you need to really get to know your restaurant which, in turn, will give you the inspiration you need to develop innovative business-boosting strategies.
3. Operational efficiency
From the reduction of food waste to seasonal menu optimization and future staff performance levels, restaurant predictive analytics can assist in the daily, weekly, and long-term operations of your business – benefits that we will look at in due course.