When you’re running a bakery business, you need to be stretching more than just the gluten in your loaves. Particularly, new bakers need to know how to run a bakery that is big on quality and little on costs.
From expensive equipment to wasted goods, your bakery is spending money even after you turn the lights off. So let’s delve into how you can cut corners and squeeze the most out of your bakery, today.
Table of Contents
1. Buy quality equipment (the first time round)
Industrial baking equipment is some of the most expensive gear that a new baker has to buy. From dough mixers, to commercial ovens, the list goes on. However, when you purchase quality equipment the first time round, you’re investing into better results for your customers.
When you use the best equipment for the job, you’re going to come out with more consistent and better quality baked goods. What’s more, you are less likely to have to have a machine that needs repairing every week. Plus, you’ll save a lot of money in reducing the amount of waste products as a result of poor equipment.
It’s a much more cost-effective solution to invest in quality commercial bakery products. Retailers such as Creeds Direct, offer finance plans on their equipment, making it easier for bakeries to get what they need.
2. Buy in bulk!
One of the easiest ways to cut costs in the bakery is to purchase all of your basic ingredients in bulk. Items such as flours, sugars and yeast can easily be purchased in bulk quantities, leaving you stocked up and with more money in the bank.
The prices of essentials are changing everyday in the UK, with milk now being 40 pence per litre. By purchasing your ingredients in bulk, you are locking in a price and getting the ingredients you need for the right cost.
A lot of retailers often offer a bulk-buy discount to bakeries who purchase large quantities of their products. So, not only would you be stocked up for the foreseeable future, but you will get your basic ingredients at affordable rates.
3. Keep those employees informed!
One of the easiest ways to waste supplies and goods in a bakery is via untrained staff. Staff should of course be trained fully at the beginning of their employment. However, keeping their minds refreshed with regular training exercises will reduce the likelihood of bakery waste and will therefore save you money in the long run.
Ensure that your staff know the correct storage and handling procedures for all of the goods in the bakery, as incorrect storage is one of the most common reasons for wasted products in food industries.
4. Make the most of your labour costs
Labour costs are some of the most expensive costs to cover when running your business. This is why you should plan staff hours strategically, to make sure everyone is working in the right place at the right time. In doing so, you will be able to maximise workplace efficiency and get the most out of the hours you pay your employees for.
5. Pinch your power
Like any home or facility, one of the biggest costs when running a bakery is the power it uses every single day. Lights, ovens, equipment, computers etc are all energy draining appliances. So, be frugal with your energy. In particular, be sure that everything that can be turned off, is always turned off when leaving the bakery.
Draining excess power can cause energy bills to skyrocket, which is why it’s important to conserve the energy that your bakery uses.