Managing Cash Flow During Quiet Spells

Every cafes or restaurant has its high points – the Saturday night rush, the Sunday brunch buzz – but what about the slow Monday mornings or rainy midweek afternoons? Those quieter spells can sneak up on you and, if you’re not prepared, they can make cash flow feel like a rollercoaster. One minute you're flying; the next, you’re wondering how to cover payroll.


Having worked with restaurants and cafes for well over two decades, we've seen the tried–and–tested tactics that food businesses have used to manage their cash flow more effectively during those quieter times.


1. Understand your slow periods


Start by identifying the patterns. Are Tuesday lunchtimes always quiet? Do you see a slump in January or during school holidays? Once you’ve got a clear picture of your quiet spells, you can plan around them – from staffing levels to promotions. A basic weekly sales tracker and a quick look at your POS data can go a long way here. You don’t need fancy forecasting software – just some consistency.


2. Plan your costs around your income


In an ideal world, costs would only go out when money is coming in – but we all know that’s rarely the case. Still, there are a few ways to bring the two into better alignment:


  • Speak to suppliers – Can you shift to fortnightly payments instead of weekly? Or get a bit of leeway after a particularly busy or quiet month?

  • Avoid big purchases in low-income months – Hold off on large equipment upgrades or new menu launches until you’ve built a bit of a buffer.

  • Use standing orders or Direct Debits for fixed costs – This helps you keep track and avoids any nasty surprises.


3. Trim the wastage – without cutting corners


When cash is tight, it’s tempting to go on a cutting spree. But rather than slashing hours or skimping on ingredients (which your regulars will notice), look at where wastage creeps in:


  • Are you over-ordering perishables?

  • Is staff downtime being spent productively?

  • Could portions be reviewed to avoid food being scraped into the bin?


Even small tweaks can protect your margins when footfall is low.


4. Run low-cost promotions to drive footfall


You don’t need to slash prices to get people through the door. Some of the best-performing offers we’ve seen include:


  • “Bring a friend for free coffee” – works well for cafés during weekday mornings.

  • Limited-time lunch specials – a smaller menu at a fixed price can be both cost-effective and appealing.

  • Off-peak loyalty rewards – double stamps or exclusive treats for regulars who visit at quieter times.


The key is to promote these offers smartly: social media, a simple chalkboard outside, or a note on receipts can all do the job.


5. Build a buffer during busy periods


When things are booming, it’s easy to feel invincible – but don’t spend it all at once. Set aside a percentage of your peak-time profits to carry you through the leaner weeks. If your business is seasonal (think coastal cafes or Christmas-heavy venues), this becomes even more important. A separate “rainy day” pot can give you some breathing room when the tills aren’t ringing as often.


6. Keep talking to your accountant


A good accountant won’t just handle the numbers – they’ll help you spot trends, flag cash flow risks early, and advise on financing if needed.

We work with cafes, restaurants, and takeaways across Leeds and beyond – and we’ve seen it all, from bustling street food pop-ups to long-standing high street staples. So if you’re feeling the pressure of patchy income or you just want a second pair of eyes on your numbers, we’re here to help.


Final thought


Quiet spells are part and parcel of running a food business – but with planning and the right systems, they don’t have to derail your cash flow. We've seen that small adjustments, made consistently, can make all the difference between just surviving and staying comfortably ahead.

If you’d like to get a better handle on your cash flow and make your quieter periods work harder for you, book a call with our team today.


Restaurants, cafes, and takeaways can benefit greatly from working with a specialist accountant. If you hadn’t noticed already, we are specialist accountants in Leeds for food service businesses, so unlike most accountants, we have years of experience working with businesses just like you. If you're interested in finding out more about how we can help your restaurant become more profitable, book a call with one of our accounting experts.