When you own a restaurant, you are always looking for ways to save money while maintaining the quality of the food you serve. The average restaurant has a profit of roughly 5 percent, meaning you have to find creative ways of increasing your bottom line. If you are looking for more ways to reduce expenses, you should look into renting a self-storage unit. Here are just a few ways having this extra space can help you keep more of the money from sales in your pocket.
Inventory
One of the most common ways to save money on inventory is to buy in bulk. However, this means you have to have the space for it all. When you have a self storage unit just down the street, you can use it to take advantage of bulk buying. Store paper products and any non-perishable food items in it. This can give you more space in the restaurant for refrigerators and freezers. Now you will have enough room for bulk buying almost everything your restaurant needs. In addition, merchants will come to you and offer you special deals when they know you have the ability to store them. They do not like to have excess inventory on hand if they can help it. Of course, be aware you cannot put cleaning supplies or chemicals in the storage unit.
Equipment
While you do not need to buy equipment in bulk, it is often a good idea to have a spare refrigeration unit or deep fryer on hands in case one isn't working right. The problem is often having to buy and store them. However, when you have a storage unit, you can keep a look out for special sales or used pieces that do not cost too much. As you get these pieces, keep them in self storage until they are needed. You can also buy equipment from a restaurant that is going out of business. Keep adding to the extra equipment and you will have enough for another location of your own without having to buy all new stuff.
Having a kitchen crowded with unnecessary equipment or extra inventory is not only a lot of trouble to work around, it is also a safety hazard. This may have kept you from buying in bulk, at trade, or at auctions shows in the past. However, when you have extra space because of a self storage unit, you can take advantage of low prices any time they are offered to you.
To learn more, contact a self storage company like AA All American Airborne Self-Storage.
