Café, day bar or bistro

Stocktaking in a café, day bar or bistro - simple, fast, digital

In many small catering businesses - be it cafés, bakeries, day bars or bistros - inventory (i.e. regular stocktaking) is often left undone. Everyday life is hectic, the product world is diverse and there are usually only one or two employees in the business. Nevertheless, stocktaking is important in the food service industry to avoid losses and maintain an overview. In this article, you will find out why counting stock is so difficult, especially in small businesses, and how you can still keep track without stress with BarBrain.

What makes stocktaking in cafés and bistros difficult

In your café or bistro, you sell a diverse range of products: from coffee and tea to soft drinks, snacks, cakes, breakfast and lunch dishes. These different items are stored everywhere - in the counter area, on the refrigerated shelves, in the kitchen or in the warehouse. You also need to think about to-go items, such as coffee-to-go cups, napkins and takeaway packaging. The inventory of all these food and beverages is time-consuming.

Then there is the time factor: often only one or two people are available in the day-to-day business, so there is hardly any time to carry out a detailed inventory. No wonder that stocktaking in the café or day bar is often postponed.

Typical errors in manual stocktaking

• Paperwork and transposed figures: Anyone who works with pen, paper or Excel lists runs the risk of getting bogged down. Handwritten notes can easily lead to transposed figures and there is no central list of all inventories at the end.
• Shrinkage remains undetected: Without regular, accurate stocktaking, losses due to spoilage, breakage or theft often go unnoticed. Shortages are only noticed late - if at all.
• Purchasing based on gut feeling: If no reliable stock data is available, goods are purchased on a hunch. As a result, some drinks or ingredients are over-ordered, while others suddenly run out.

Simply count digitally with BarBrain

Fortunately, BarBrain has the right inventory software for your café, bistro or day bar. It allows you to carry out digital stocktaking quickly and put an end to paperwork. You can conveniently count your stock using a smartphone or tablet instead of laboriously keeping tally sheets. Use clear +/- buttons or practical sliders to record the quantity of each ingredient, drink and dish.

Extensive training is not necessary - the operation of the app is self-explanatory, so even temporary staff can get to grips with it straight away. BarBrain deliberately dispenses with scanners and complex live systems: You receive a snapshot of your stock on the inventory date without having to deal with cumbersome evaluations. Digital stocktaking even works offline if there is no WiFi available in the warehouse. Ideal for small teams: everyone can help count the stock digitally and you always have an overview.

Your advantages in everyday life

• Up to 60 % time saving: Digital stocktaking with BarBrain is significantly faster than manual counting - you save up to 60 % time on average each time you take stock.
• Better planning: With up-to-date stock figures, you can plan purchasing and production much more accurately. Your inventory tool shows you when you need to reorder coffee, milk or snacks so that you don't have surpluses or shortages.
• Recognize shrinkage: Regular digital inventories make it clear when goods disappear or spoil. You recognize shrinkage at an early stage and can avoid losses in a targeted manner.
• Clear snapshot: On the key date, you receive a clear list of all stock - ideal for keeping an eye on your company's inventory and providing the accounting department with accurate figures.

Conclusion - relaxed overview for café and day bar

Taking an inventory for bistros, cafés or day bars doesn't have to be a nightmare. With the right preparation and a digital aid like BarBrain, stocktaking is child's play. Despite heterogeneous products and little time, you can keep track of all the food and drinks in your business. Digital stocktaking in the catering industry - whether in a café, bakery or day bar - gives you a relaxed snapshot of your inventory. So you can get back to what really matters: your guests and your core business.