Beverage sales are having more impact on restaurants today. Diners are getting tired of water and want something fun to drink when they go out to restaurants. So how can you provide drinks that are fun yet low in food cost?
Restaurants that invest thousands of dollars in alcoholic beverages tend to lose more money in the long run. Unless it is a bar, most people are not drinking alcohol beverages while they eat. Instead the restaurants might want to focus on including more non-alcoholic beverages on their menu.
Mintel’s research has found that more than half of diners who order non-alcoholic beverages buy hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages yet do not purchase a meal at least once a month when they go out. The beverage menu can be significant for diners and can be an essential piece to the restaurant.
“Italian Soda” is making a comeback today because it is a healthy drink compared to regular soda or alcohol and it has a low beverage cost. The recipe is simply soda water and red sugar free syrup. This makes for a colorful, fun drink at a low beverage cost for the restaurant. These syrups can come in different flavors and colors and can be added to other drinks as well to accommodate the different preferences of your diners.
Many diners do not want alcohol, tea, or soda every time they go out to eat. They stick to water yet find it dull. If this is all you offer at your restaurant then the diner will more likely try a different restaurant when it comes to going out for a drink. In order to make your water more exciting, try putting a couple of cucumbers or strawberries in it and it can become of new interest to the majority of you diners, whether young or old.
There are many ways to make healthy low beverage cost drinks. If you provide them, your diners will be happy and come back for more.
(Header Photo: Strawberry Splash Two)
