What’s on Your Plate for 2025?

As the year winds down – or races by quicker than the last – it’s natural to reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and what you’d rather never think about again. For restaurant, café, and takeaway owners, there were many challenges this year – supply chain issues seemingly being one of the biggest. However, from speaking with our clients, there were many triumphs too! So whether you exceeded your goals this year, or struggled at times just to keep the lights on, now is the perfect time to think about your plans for the year ahead.

Here are a few ideas to think about, and what success could look like for your business in 2025.

Audit More Than Just Your Accounts

When’s the last time you truly assessed your menu? Not just in terms of taste but profitability. Are your bestsellers also your most profitable dishes? Could tweaking portion sizes, swapping suppliers, or rethinking how you market certain items bump up your margins?

Numbers might not seem like the most exciting part of running a business, but they tell an important story. What’s your cost per plate for each dish? How many plates do you need to sell to cover overheads? If these calculations aren’t second nature yet, they probably should be. And if they’re keeping you up at night, don't worry, we can help.

Lean into the Seasons

Seasonal specials aren’t just a nice touch; they can also help you negotiate better deals with local suppliers, lower food costs, and entice diners to keep coming back for something new.

Why not review your suppliers now? See if there are partnerships that could work better for both your business and theirs. This approach often leads to better quality at lower prices – and your customers will notice the difference.

Keep It Fresh Online

Your social media might not directly pay the bills, but it could be the first impression many people have of your business. A good sprinkle of behind-the-scenes content, shout-outs to your team, or short videos of new menu launches can go a long way. And don’t forget reviews. If you’re not actively encouraging happy customers to leave them, you’re missing out. A glowing Google review has more power than any other marketing strategy. Just think about how many times you've chosen to dine at a restaurant because of the plethora of positive reviews!

Plan for Peaks and Dips

Every food business owner knows January isn’t July, but have you really planned for it? Think beyond the generic “New Year, New Menu” strategies we often see. Could you use quieter months to host pop-up events to keep revenue flowing? Take a peek at last year’s numbers and think about how you can build campaigns around your natural busy seasons – or make the most of the quieter times.

Make 2025 the Year of Smart Spending



It’s easy to fall into a rhythm of renewing the same subscriptions or sticking with the same suppliers year after year. But what if there’s a better deal out there? Or a bit of technology that could save you hours of admin time each week? Streamlining your operations doesn’t have to mean doing more – it can mean doing less, but better.

Don’t Neglect the Human Element

The backbone of your business isn’t just the food; it’s the people who prepare it, serve it, and talk about it. Are you investing enough in your team’s growth and wellbeing? Sometimes the difference between a good year and a great one comes down to better communication, training, or just making sure your staff feel valued. Happy staff = happy customers = healthy bottom line. It’s a formula that never fails.

2025: The Year You Serve Success

Running any food service business is hard, but with some thoughtful tweaks, 2025 could be your best year yet. Whether it’s really looking into the details behind your numbers, upgrading your menu strategy, or finally hiring an expert to help you manage your finances.

And if you ever feel like you’re in over your head with the financial side, you know where to find us. We are here to take the pressure off. Ready to get started? Drop us a message or give our team a call on 0113 240 4100 – we'd love to hear from you.