The What | The How | The Why for my 6 Quick Fix Action Plan

Food Business Coach Tracie
Sep 22
4 min read

6 Quick Fix Action Plan- The What

(see previous Blogpost for the beginning of this thread)

To get the full results, you need a simple checklist. Print this out and stick it to your office wall:

1. Identify the top 5 high-margin items and push them visually on your menu.

2. Add 2-3 low-labour seasonal specials by Friday.

3. Audit waste daily for 7 days and implement one fix.

4. Run a “Power Hour” promo this week and track sales growth.

5. Create an autumn comfort space with music, candles, and themed specials.

6. Train staff daily on upselling seasonal stars.

6 Quick Fix Action Plan- The How

Here is a clear, practical guide for implementing, managing, and reviewing these 6 quick wins in a food business, with step-by-step actions and checks for each initiative.

1- Identify Top 5 High-Margin Menu Items

Use the POS system reports to list every menu item by total sales and cost.
Calculate profit margin ((Selling Price - Cost) / Selling Price(Selling Price - Cost) / Selling Price) for each item.
Select the top 5 items with the highest margin and popularity.
Re-design the menu visually to highlight these, using boxes, icons, or bold fonts and place them in menu “prime real estate” (e.g., top left, centre right).
Review weekly POS sales reports to track if these items’ sales volume improves.

2- Add Low-Labour Seasonal Specials

Research local and trending autumn specials (e.g., pumpkin spiced doughnuts, autumn salad, baked pumpkin cheesecake, comfort stews), focusing on easy prep.
Develop 2–3 recipes that require fewer steps and minimal new ingredients.
Update the specials board (physical and digital) by Friday and inform staff.
Monitor sales and gather customer feedback daily; adjust as needed for next week.

3- Audit Waste Daily for 7 Days

Assign one staff member to track kitchen and plate waste after each meal period.
Use a visible scale and dedicated “food waste” buckets; log type, weight, and reason for waste on printed or digital worksheets.
Share daily results with the whole team and discuss the findings every evening.
At week’s end, choose one major cause and implement a fix (e.g., portion size change, staff retraining, new prep technique).
Review post-fix waste logs to confirm improvement.

4- Run a “Power Hour” Promo and Track Growth

Determine your peak or quietest hour using sales analytics or observation.
Design a time-limited offer (e.g., €1 off coffee and cake between 3–4 pm); create social media posts and signage.
Train staff to promote the “Power Hour” to every eligible customer.
Track sales for promo items vs. a normal hour using POS.
Assess sales uplift and new customer footfall after the promo; refine offer or time slot as needed.

5- Create Autumn Comfort Space

Rearrange a section with autumnal colours, candles, rustic decor, dried flowers, and pumpkins.
Set an autumn playlist and adjust lighting for afternoon/ evening warmth.
Feature themed specials on table POS or boards in this space.
Solicit quick feedback from customers (verbal or comment cards) on the seasonal vibe.

6- Daily Staff Upselling Training

Each morning, hold a short upselling briefing for staff; highlight product benefits, features, and current seasonal stars.
Use role-play and actual scripts (e.g., “Would you like our chef’s pumpkin cheesecake for dessert?”).
Monitor staff recommendations through customer order notes or manager observation.
Reward the best upseller daily/weekly with prizes or recognition.
Assess results weekly: track increased sales of target items and staff skill/confidence.

Take back control or stay as you are- you choose!

6 Quick Fix Action Plan- The Why

Implementing these six quick-fix tips delivers significant value for café owners and their teams by directly impacting profitability, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and team motivation. Making an effort to apply these actions offers tangible improvements that justify the commitment.

Direct Financial Benefits

Higher profit margins: Focusing on high-margin menu items increases the café’s bottom line without increasing costs, maximising revenue for each sale.
Seasonal specials boost sales and visibility: Limited-time and seasonal offerings entice customers to visit more often and spend more, driving both new and repeat visits through a sense of urgency and novelty.
Waste audits reduce costs: Daily audits help identify and eliminate costly sources of waste, directly increasing profit by making sure as little as possible goes into the bin. Even a small café can save thousands yearly on disposal costs and wasted inventory.

Operational and Team Advantages

Streamlined workflows: Reduced menu bloat and easier-to-prepare specials make life simpler for chefs and staff, reducing stress and errors while speeding up service.
Better cost controls: Knowing which products are most profitable and minimising waste allows management to make smarter inventory purchases and budgeting decisions, protecting cash flow.

Customer Experience and Business Growth

Memorable ambience: Creating an autumn comfort space with themed décor elevates the dining experience, making guests feel welcome and encouraging longer visits and positive reviews.
Promos drive excitement: Power Hour promotions can instantly boost traffic during slower periods, test new ideas, and reward loyal customers in a way that’s fun and easy to measure.

Motivation and Retention

Staff engagement: Daily training and upselling incentives not only increase sales of seasonal stars, they also foster pride, team spirit, and retention—with top performers rewarded and everyone feeling invested in business success.
Personal development: Regular feedback and skill-building help team members grow, making their work more rewarding and reducing turnover.

These steps help café businesses safeguard and grow their profits, create stronger customer relationships, operate more efficiently, and build a motivated, high-performing team. The effort is repaid many times over through stronger sales, lower costs, better reviews, and a thriving business—not just in the short term, but for lasting success. Get out of your own way and implement these 6 profit-driven tips and elevate you & your business during the process.

Fully Funded Reviews available.

Email tracie@traciedaly.com today to check and see if you are eligible and transform your business in a matter of weeks to profit-driven outcomes.