Sustainable restaurants are taking the hospitality industry by storm. Luckily, operating eco-friendly restaurants and maintaining a high restaurant profit margin go hand in hand.

If you’re looking to serve delicious meals in your area but want to take environmental responsibility, then sustainable restaurants will be your best option. In fact, newer tools and hospitality software make it simpler than ever. Keep reading to learn more about it.

What Are Sustainable Restaurants?

Sustainable restaurants are environmentally conscious eateries. They take initiatives to reduce non-recyclable packaging, food spoilage, and other types of waste.

Many eateries and organizations have been taking the initiative to make sustainability a top priority. From organic food distribution to useful restaurant tech, there are several ways to make sustainable restaurants profitable businesses.

9 Reasons Why Sustainable Restaurants Are So Profitable

Eateries can easily be a lucrative business venture. However, sustainable restaurants are more likely to generate a higher ROI. Remember, the ROI meaning refers to the amount of money a business invests compared to the amount of money they bring in.

From serving food trends to using innovative restaurant technology, there are many reasons as to why sustainable restaurants are so profitable. Read on to learn more!

1. Reduce Food Waste

If you’re a restaurant manager, one of the biggest issues you might notice is the amount of food that goes to waste. Food spoilage and shrinkage are both issues that can severely impact a restaurant’s profitability.

Efficient inventory management techniques will allow you to calculate accurate quantities and schedule a routine reorder point. By having what you need and not what you expect, inventory software will reduce waste in no time.

One of the most useful ways to combat this issue is by utilizing software that makes it easier to take inventory. Book a demo today with BlueCart to learn how a restaurant inventory management app can lessen food waste and restaurant expenses.

2. Paperless Transactions

Paperless payment processing options are a simple way for restaurants to be more sustainable. For instance, contactless payments eliminate paper receipts and keep customers safe from germs.

Offering multiple payment options is also a good idea for inclusivity. Every available method abides by PCI standards, so ensuring safe data encryption is a guarantee.

3. Fewer Staff Members

In casual dining eateries, businesses can onboard food tech to streamline restaurant operations. This idea will be even more beneficial if your business experiences work overload or is currently understaffed.

Technology such as tableside devices and self ordering kiosks are just a couple of ways that restaurants can boost profits. In doing so, they’ll also cut the labor cost.

Onboarding necessary technology will be an initial restaurant expense. Some solutions might even require a monthly payment. However, turnover rates in eateries are often high, which in the long run, can result in higher costs.

4. Daily Menus

One of the biggest contributors to food waste is excessive purchasing habits for scarce products. For instance, some restaurants might want to serve menu items that require ingredients that aren’t in season. By ordering those ingredients from where they’re available, they’ll likely order them in bulk.

Though it might seem like a good idea to stock up on items that aren’t available to you locally, there’s no guarantee that you’ll use them all.

With this in mind, many eateries are opting for daily menus. These menu types can potentially change from one day to the next, but they will ensure little to no food waste.

5. Online Shipments

If you’re the business owner of a restaurant, learn how to ship food to maximize profits and eliminate food waste. An online store can function as another source of revenue and a solution to food waste.

Take bakeries and cafes as examples. These types of eateries might not generate the greatest amount of traffic compared to more formal restaurants. However, if they learn how to ship cookies and other baked goods, they can thrive online with a digital storefront.

An eCommerce website will also allow you to conduct restaurant marketing done right on a much larger scale. With online sales, you can also build an email marketing strategy, conduct restaurant SEO tactics, and so much more.

6. Eco-Friendly Restaurant Equipment

One of the more obvious ways that eateries remain eco-friendly is by using the proper restaurant equipment. When sustainable restaurants utilize tools and appliances that reduce energy usage, it directly impacts their overhead expenses.

Utility expenses can add up rather quickly. Opting for environmentally-conscious equipment will help save the planet and maintain a sustainable restaurant budget.  

7. Pre-Packaged Items To-Go

If you’re trying to combat food waste to maintain a sustainable restaurant, consider offering food items to go. This concept is popular within the quick service restaurant industry but is also a good idea for others.

A creative way to promote these items is by leaving separate menus on every table. If customers are in a rush or want something for later, they can simply order something that is already on standby for takeout,

Since these items will serve as food for later, they can help in boosting sales. Studies show that online orders achieve higher cart values, which can be challenging at brick and mortar eateries. Whether it’s a dessert menu or drinks to-go, consider crafting this type of menu.

8. Sustainability Caters to A Niche Market

Sustainable restaurants can generate high profits simply by catering to a niche market. Consumer data shows that many customers support businesses that align with their values and “vote with their wallets.”

Creating a thoughtfully branded restaurant will always give you a leg up in promoting a business. As you craft restaurant marketing strategies, keep your values and social impacts in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainable Restaurants

The future of restaurants revolves around sustainability. It has become more than just a trend, and the market has been reaping the benefits of sustainable restaurants.

Want to learn more about sustainable restaurants? Continue reading about popular topics within the sustainable food movement.

What Is An Example Of Sustainability In Food?

Sustainable food can come in many different forms. In recent years, sustainable food typically involves the following:

• Ethically-sourced ingredients
• Organic ingredients
• Recycling options

How Do Restaurants Practice Sustainability?

Restaurants are practicing sustainability in numerous ways. Some of the most popular methods in operating sustainable restaurants include:

• Offering creative menus
• Using energy-efficient equipment
• Opting into recycling programs
• Using technology to streamline operations

Why Are Sustainable Restaurants Important?

Sustainable restaurants are important for the ways they support the environment. Recent studies show that the restaurant industry has negative impacts, such as food waste and mass plastic usage. By converting to a sustainable restaurant, businesses can help solve many environmental issues.

How Do You Create A Sustainable Menu?

Restaurants can create a sustainable menu by finding ways to use all of their ingredients. This idea will help eliminate food waste while simultaneously saving the business money.

Restaurants can also opt for menu items that include sustainably sourced ingredients. For instance, vegan and vegetarian options are often more eco-friendly than others.

Lastly, restaurants can switch up their offerings to daily menus. This means they’d only be serving ingredients that they have access to. In doing so, they’ll cut costs and waste from their eatery.

What Are the Factors Of Food Sustainability?

Various factors of food sustainability include the following:

• Eliminating food waste
• Reusable dishware
• Recyclable packaging
• A stable environment
• Less water usage