In the United States, independent pizzerias and small chains definitely hold their own at nearly 42% of the market, which totaled $18.78 billion in 2018.1 These already impressive numbers are poised to grow as pizza continues to top the list as Americans’ favorite food.
That’s good news — great news, in fact — for small pizzeria chain operators, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t possible growing pains. Of course, managing the restaurant industry’s skilled labor shortage is an ongoing challenge that contributes to other potential business-busters. Being short-staffed or training new team members can mean pie consistency, kitchen efficiencies, and profitably take a temporary downturn while wasted ingredients, products, and time do the exact opposite.
It’s a cost of doing business but it’s also a slippery slope in a hyper-competitive industry. To keep pace, operators must leverage frozen pizza dough suppliers that provide all-around value.
Delivering Consistency and Efficiency
With multiple locations, ensuring food consistency is a top priority. It’s more than a pride point. Customers want what they want, and any deviation from expectations isn’t well received. They may give you a second chance, but 85% of diners say it only takes one or two negative experiences to turn them off to a pizzeria forever.
Trusted frozen pizza dough suppliers have your back when it comes to consistency. Each pre-made pizza crust and dough ball is mixed and portioned for quality bakes that look and taste the same whether customers frequent one or several of your locations.
The same holds true for efficiency. Your pizza crust suppliers should be a proactive partner in recommending products that streamline kitchen processes, and also have experience in creating custom recipes to minimize the cost and labor involved in scratch-making pizza dough. Finally, think about innovation. Is your pizza crust provider forecasting the next “big thing” – and creating products that help you be among the first to serve it?
Lower Waste, Higher Profits
Controlling food costs is tantamount to putting more money in your pocket. If you have somewhere between 20 and 100 stores, for example, that profit is multiplied exponentially. Pre-made pizza crusts and dough balls are the logical solution to ingredient and product waste during staff training and high-traffic times. Leveraging your frozen pizza dough suppliers’ products and knowledge puts those solutions within easy reach, so you can ring up sales without wringing out your bottom line.
Getting Your Money’s Worth
Pizza dough suppliers are a necessary link in your supply chain, but given their potential impact on your business growth in key areas, are your current suppliers a true value? If they’re not leaning into your challenges and finding solutions that work now and in anticipation of your future needs, maybe not.
Alive & Kickin’ is as passionate about our partnerships as we are about pizza. Our products are valuable, and our insights a real value-add. Take a look at what we mean by reading Get Started With Pre-Made Dough Balls: A 3-Step Guide. Click the button below for access to your copy now!
SOURCE
1PMQ Magazine, The 2019 Pizza Power Report: A State-of-the-Industry Analysis, Undated
