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A restaurant POS records thousands of data points every week, and most owners review a small share of them. Restaurant analytics becomes useful when a restaurant picks a short set of measures, reviews each on a schedule, and ties every figure to a decision. This post covers which analytics are worth tracking, how often to review each one, how to read the numbers together, and what a monthly report should include. What Analytics Should a Restaurant Track? A restaurant should t

Strela Consulting Group is attending the Florida Restaurant Show in Orlando on October 25th, 26th, & 27th, 2026. Owners and operators who plan to be there can meet with us during the show, and anyone can request a free menu audit ahead of time. Where Will Strela Be at the Florida Restaurant Show? Strela will be at the Florida Restaurant Show in Orlando on on October 25th, 26th, & 27th, 2026, meeting restaurant owners and operators throughout the event. Our conversations cente

Repeat guests make up the base of most restaurants’ sales, and keeping them depends on two things a restaurant already collects: what guests say and what guests do. Reviews, survey responses, and comments describe how a visit felt. The POS records who came back, how often, and how much they spent. Each source is useful alone. Read together, they show which problems cost a restaurant its regulars and which strengths are worth protecting. This post covers restaurant guest reten

Costs rarely move one at a time. Food, labor, rent, repairs, supplies, and payment fees can all shift in the same quarter, and guests judge value against what they remember paying. Strela Consulting Group approaches menu pricing during inflation the way it approaches every engagement. Data drives direction. Pricing decisions come from menu cost, sales mix, guest behavior, and operating goals. What are the best ways to manage menu pricing during inflation? Cost each item, grou

Implementing a new point-of-sale (POS) system in a restaurant environment is a critical step that can determine operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. For independent restaurant owners and growing multi-location groups, the transition to a system like Toast POS requires careful planning and expert guidance. Without proper onboarding, even the most advanced technology can become a source of frustration rather than a tool for growth. The onboarding phase is where the

Implementing a new point-of-sale (POS) system in a restaurant is a complex process. It involves more than just installing software and hardware. It requires careful planning, staff training, and ongoing support to ensure the system operates smoothly and delivers the expected benefits. For restaurants adopting Toast POS, professional onboarding support is essential to navigate this transition effectively. Understanding the Challenges of POS Implementation Restaurants face uniq

Increasing menu prices is a necessary step for many restaurants to maintain profitability amid rising costs. However, this process requires careful planning and execution. Poorly managed price increases can alienate customers, reduce sales volume, and damage brand reputation. The challenge lies in implementing a price adjustment that sustains revenue growth without compromising customer loyalty or perceived value. This article outlines practical, data-driven menu pricing stra

Ask five restaurant owners what a consultant does, and you'll likely receive five different answers. Some envision a consultant who arrives for a week, hands over a binder of recommendations, and then disappears. Others think of a specialist focused on a narrow task, such as a menu redesign, a POS rollout, or a marketing push, with no connection to the broader business operations. Both perspectives are incomplete. Effective restaurant management consulting occupies a space be

Buying a POS system is the easy part. Getting it to work for the operation is where most restaurants run into trouble. Tampa's restaurant scene moves fast, from independent concepts in Seminole Heights to multi-location groups spread across the Bay area. Whichever category an operation falls into, the pattern tends to repeat itself: the system that gets sold rarely matches the system that gets used well on a busy Friday night. That gap is implementation, not software. The Sof

Running a restaurant today means juggling many moving parts. From managing orders to tracking inventory and analyzing sales data, every detail counts. That’s why having the right point-of-sale (POS) system is crucial. Toast POS has become a popular choice for many restaurants, but simply having the system is not enough. You need expert guidance to unlock its full potential. That’s where Toast experts come in. They help independent restaurants and growing groups optimize their

The restaurant industry faces a complex economic environment shaped by rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and ongoing supply chain challenges. For restaurant owners and managers, understanding these factors is essential to adapt and thrive. This post explores the current economic conditions affecting restaurants and offers practical insights to help businesses stay resilient. Rising Costs and Their Impact on Profit Margins One of the most pressing challenges restaurants

In the bustling food scene of Tampa, restaurants are constantly looking for ways to stand out. With so many options available, how can a restaurant ensure it attracts and retains customers? One effective strategy is to leverage bespoke menu analytics. This approach not only helps in understanding customer preferences but also boosts sales significantly. In this blog post, we will explore how bespoke menu analytics can transform your restaurant's performance. We will discuss t

In the competitive world of dining, your menu is more than just a list of dishes. It is a reflection of your restaurant's identity, a tool for attracting customers, and a key driver of your profitability. If you want to stand out, you need to think strategically about your offerings. This is where tailored consulting comes into play. In this post, we will explore how personalized consulting can transform your menu, enhance your customer experience, and ultimately boost your b