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07.05.25

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Analyze restaurant data correctly

How to become a numbers pro

Data is the new gold - even (or especially!) in the restaurant industry. And yet many restaurant operators ask themselves: “What should I do with all these figures?”

If you look at a mountain of orders, sales and stock movements every day and have more question marks than answers, then this article is for you.

Because the right data analysis is not rocket science. With the right tools - such as a modern POS system, the Lightspeed Pulse app and the right cloud solution from Vendomat.ch - you can turn your restaurant data into real recommendations for action. Sounds exciting? Then let's dive into the world of numbers together.

Why data analysis is so important in restaurants

Numbers say more than gut feeling

Sure - good food, friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere are the basis for a successful restaurant. But relying solely on intuition when making decisions is like driving in a fog. Modern gastronomy is data-driven.

Data analysis means seeing the reality of your business in black and white - and not just guessing what is working or not. Whether it's turnover per hour, cost of goods sold, stock turnover or table occupancy: Your figures show you where things are going - and where you are losing money.

 

What exactly is data analysis in the catering industry?

From ordering to budget planning - everything at a glance

Countless amounts of data are collected in a restaurant - often unnoticed. Every order, every table rotation, every cancellation provides valuable information. Professional data analysis summarizes this data, filters out the essentials and presents them in an understandable way.

Typical areas of restaurant data analysis:

  • Sales analysis (by time, day of the week, employees, product groups)
  • Stock levels & use of goods
  • Most popular dishes
  • No-shows and cancellations
  • Staff productivity
  • Budget management & forecasts

Instead of confusing Excel spreadsheets, you need one thing above all: a smart system that collects your restaurant data in a structured way, automatically analyzes it and visualizes it clearly.

These tools make data analysis child's play

POS system + Lightspeed Pulse app + Vendomat Cloud = your data dream team

If you're thinking: “That all sounds nice, but how am I supposed to fit it into my stressful everyday life?”, then you can breathe a sigh of relief. Technology has not forgotten you.

Lightspeed - your smart POS system partner

Lightspeed is a modern, cloud-based POS system that has been specially developed for catering businesses. It not only records orders at lightning speed, but also automatically provides you with all relevant key figures in the background.

  • What is sold the most and when?
  • Which tables generate the highest turnover?
  • How long does it take on average to process a meal?

You can find the answers to these questions in your Lightspeed dashboard analysis - available at any time and from anywhere.

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Pulse app - your data center for your pocket

With the Lightspeed Pulse app, you have your operation in real time on your smartphone. The app offers:

  • Live sales & trends
  • Comparison with previous days or weeks
  • Performance of individual locations
  • Alerts in the event of anomalies (e.g. sudden drop in sales)

Perfect for restaurateurs who travel a lot or manage several locations.

Lightspeed Cloud - your data securely stored & centrally analyzed

The hardware and system solutions from Vendomat.ch are not only robust and functional, but also perfectly adapted to cloud use. Your restaurant data is automatically stored in the Lightspeed system and can be accessed at any time - whether you're in the office, at home or on vacation.

And because Vendomat.ch specializes in Lightspeed, you receive a perfectly coordinated complete package - including training and support. In Switzerland in particular, customers can look forward to excellent, personal support.

What you can actually achieve with your data analysis

More efficiency. Lower costs. Higher profit.

What good is a full restaurant if costs explode or the cost of goods is poorly calculated? Correctly analyzed data helps you to identify such problems in good time - before it hurts.

  1. 1.

    Improve budget management

    Data helps you to create realistic budgets - based on real figures, not guesswork. You can see exactly when which costs are incurred, where there is potential for savings and how much you really have available for new investments.

  2. 2.

    Optimize personnel planning

    You know exactly when your peak times are - and when it gets quieter. This allows you to schedule your team optimally, avoid overtime and increase staff productivity.

  3. 3.

    More targeted warehouse & purchasing control

    Thanks to real-time data on stock movements, you can avoid overstocks and bottlenecks. This saves money, space - and nerves.

  4. 4.

    Recognizing bestsellers and flops

    Why buy three kilos of salmon a week if the dish is hardly ever ordered? Your analysis will show you which dishes are popular - and which are not.
    Use this knowledge for targeted menu optimization.

  5. 5.

    Plan marketing measures in a more targeted manner

    If you know when guests come and what they order, you can advertise in a more targeted way. Combine your data analysis with customer data (e.g. from reservations from the foratable system) and activate personalized promotions - e.g. for lunch breaks or birthdays.

Common mistakes in data analysis - and how to avoid them

Not everything that counts can be counted - but many things can

Many restaurateurs collect data - but don't use it. Or they focus on the wrong key figures. Here are a few typical pitfalls:

  • No clear goals: What do you actually want to achieve with the analysis?
  • Data graveyard: Collecting figures but not evaluating them
  • Too many tools, too little integration
  • Not using real-time data: If you plan today what was yesterday, you'll have a problem tomorrow

No employee training: only those who understand what the figures mean can work with them.

This is exactly where Vendomat AG can support you - with an integrated system that is easy to understand and ready for immediate use.

Data analysis is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for modern gastronomy

The time when you could successfully run a restaurant “on instinct” is over. If you want to work profitably today, you have to know your figures - and work with them.

Thanks to tools such as Lightspeed, the Pulse app and the system solutions from Vendomat.ch, professional data analysis has never been easier. You gain clarity about your finances, your staff and your products - and can make faster, better and more reliable decisions.

Get more out of your restaurant data

Would you like to take your data analysis to the next level? Then get started now with Vendomat.ch!

Contact us - we will help you select the right systems, ensure smooth integration and support you in setting up your digital cockpit. Even as an existing customer.

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Raoul Corciulo

CEO
Sales & Customer Success

Vendomat AG
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Piazza Grande 9a, 6600 Locarno (Ticino branch)

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