New Year’s is a prime time for resolutions – and one of the most common is to eat healthier and lose weight. In fact, for 2018 45% of Americans said they wanted to lose weight or get in shape for the new year.
The new year might have you eyeing new options for your restaurant as well. In fact, with healthy eating being a key trend all year long – not just in January – what about adding a salad bar?
Take a look at the pros and cons of having a salad bar, along with the restaurant equipment you’d need to make it happen!
Benefits of a Salad Bar
Having a salad bar has a lot of benefits. It gives your customers additional options and helps you increase revenue. Diners are more health-focused than ever, and you can increase loyalty by showing that you care as well.
Many restaurants have added salads to their menus to help serve calorie and health-conscious guests, but a salad bar gives your patrons a lot more flexibility. They can choose what they like and avoid what they don’t and get a unique experience each time.
You can also win more guests if you have an option that branches beyond your traditional menu. Customers who might not have considered coming to your restaurant may choose you simply because of the salad bar. It can also help regulars who want to visit with friends who have different tastes.
Finally, you’ll appeal to those who are looking for lighter fare – not just calorie-wise but in terms of the meal overall. Not everyone is interested in the large portions common at many restaurants. Having a salad bar gives someone who’s just a bit hungry a great choice.
Salad bars give diners an engaging experience, control over their dining, and a beautiful centerpiece to look at when they come in!
Drawbacks of a Salad Bar
A salad bar requires some specialized restaurant equipment, although not as much as you’d think. It’s important to make sure that you have enough variety and that the food looks very appetizing. Folks eat with their eyes before they order!
If you want your salad bar setup to be temporary, you can use ice in the bottom of a non-refrigerated portable salad bar. If you have room for permanent restaurant equipment, you can get a tile system that’s refrigerated. Both ice and permanent equipment have benefits and costs.
With a tile or well system, you can choose a variety of pieces even if you only have a few slots. That will give you flexibility, although you don’t need more than 10 ingredients to create endless options!
The other concern is that since food is fresh and visible to everyone, it will need to be rotated and filled regularly. There may also be spills or customers who drop or break dishes. This can require extra attention from your staff and may increase your salary costs a bit.
Get the Restaurant Equipment You Need for a Salad Bar
For many restaurants, the increase in check sizes and customer appeal outweigh the concerns that may arise. A slight increase in staffing, a bit of extra training, and some new restaurant equipment are often well worth it.
The special restaurant equipment you need doesn’t have to be hard to come by – with the right Little Rock supplier, you can get everything you need. Interested in getting a quote? Contact us today!
Roast: What’s Wrong With The Honeymooner’s Kitchen? Kitchen Supplies
Welcome to our new series, “Roast and Toast”! Each month we’ll feature one kitchen that we love and one that… well, could use improvements. The kitchens we feature can come from anywhere – TV, films, popular culture, you name it. We’ll talk about what we love and what...
Restaurant Supplies: The Growing Menu Role of Specialty Cheeses
As a commercial restaurant owner or manager, you might wonder what you can do to revive your menu a bit. There are a lot of fun ways to diversify your menu, but one trend you might have noticed is the growing role of specialty cheeses. We’ve all used common cheeses,...
It’s a Toast: Why We Love the “Friends” Kitchen
Welcome to our new series, “Roast and Toast!” Each month we’re going to feature one kitchen we love and one kitchen we hate. It can be from anywhere – a sitcom, a cooking show, a cartoon, a movie, or any other screen you’d see one on! We’re starting off with a toast...
Ready to Open a Second Restaurant Location?
If your current restaurant is booming, it might be time to consider a second location. Congratulations on your current success – you’ve already beaten the odds! Opening a second location can be easier than your first one – you’ve already worked out a lot of the kinks....
The One Product to Boost Convenience Store Sales
Is there one product that can single-handedly make or break the success of your convenience store? A lot of store owners would say no. When they look at their store, they see products coming from hot dish foodservice equipment, shelves, and a variety of categories...
Restaurant Equipment Spotlight: Gas vs. Electric
Does your Little Rock restaurant use gas or electric restaurant equipment? In all likelihood you made this decision a long time ago, but it’s one that can always be reconsidered. There are benefits to both. If you’re opening a new restaurant location, it’s vital to...
Restaurant Equipment: Self-Ordering Technology
One of the biggest challenges of running a restaurant is keeping up with all the technology and restaurant equipment that is available. You might have thought when you opened your location that you could run things basically the same way for decades. While they may...
Four Tips to Opening a Successful Restaurant
Have you been dreaming about bringing your food expertise to the forefront of you life? Many people have thought about opening their own restaurant. Folks don’t follow through for a variety of reasons – money, fear, or simple inertia. You can be different, though. You...
The Case for Timeless Restaurant Décor
What’s the newest trend in restaurant décor? Evidently, people are loving “Millennial pink,” and they’re using it for everything. If you’re trying to keep up with what’s hot, you better get some new restaurant supplies right away! And remember, this isn’t just any...
Deep Fry Safely & Efficiently
When it comes to kitchen equipment, knowing how to use it correctly is vital. Not only does it keep your employees safe, it ensures that the food comes out well and that your equipment last a long time in good condition. Using a deep fryer may seem pretty simple, and...
Should You Buy Closeout Restaurant Supplies?
As a restaurant owner, you, of course, want to save money in any way possible. Restaurant margins are known for being razor-thin, so every dollar counts. Because of this, you might be tempted when you see a closeout deal for restaurant supplies. After all, you can get...
Choosing Environmentally Friendly Restaurant Supplies
There’s been a lot of controversy recently about restaurant supplies and how they affect the environment. The current focus is on plastic straws, but the same conversation has been had about Styrofoam and a variety of other materials. Can you choose environmentally...
Restaurant Supplies to Prepare Your Location for Spring
In March you can begin to feel warmer weather around the corner here in Little Rock. After all, the groundhog didn’t see its shadow this year, so we’re in for an early spring, right? As you think about how to prepare your restaurant for spring, think about getting the...
Proper Use of Cutting Boards
Food safety is vital to every restaurant – consistent inspections make sure of it! Unfortunately, the day-to-day operations can sometimes mean that safety falls through the cracks. One thing that can get overlooked in a busy kitchen is the safe use of cutting boards....
Four Myths About Food Trucks
You probably know that the food truck industry is booming – it’s grown by 7.3% in the last five years and shows no signs of slowing down. That makes it an attractive industry for anyone interested in serving food – from established restaurants to new entrepreneurs....