Five tips for cashflow health in your café or restaurant

Keeping your cash flow healthy is always a big deal when you’re running a café or restaurant. With all the ups and downs that come with the industry, staying on top of your cash is more important than ever. We’ve worked with almost 90,000 hospitality businesses around the world, and along the way, we’ve picked up some great insights on how to keep your cash flow in good shape.  

Here’s our top five.  

1. Fit out once. Fit out well. 

There’s no getting around it—fitting out a hospitality venue is a big investment. But if it’s not done right, it can end up costing you even more down the track. Whether you're opening a brand-new spot or giving an existing one a refresh, careful planning will save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

To help protect you from costly equipment mistakes, we invented a flexible finance option especially designed for hospitality businesses like yours. With Rent-Try-Buy, you can get the equipment your hospitality business needs today, without the heavy upfront costs. You can upgrade or buy your equipment at any time during your contract, and after 12 months, you have the option to continue renting or return it—giving you the freedom to adapt as your business grows. Better still, low weekly rental payments mean you can keep your cash reserves aside for a rainy day.    

2. Diversify your offering

You can maximise your cashflow by thinking about how to get more out of your existing set-up. Grab a notebook and start brainstorming ways to add variety to your café’s offerings. Think seasonal menus, specialty drinks (National Donut Day, anyone?), or even branded merch—it’s a great way to mix things up and boost sales. Take a look at your off-peak hours and closing times, too. Could your space double as a venue for events? Maybe rent out your kitchen after hours or host book clubs, workshops, or other community gatherings during slow periods. Try new ideas, see what sticks, and keep the high-margin winners! 

3. Use technology to work smarter

Don’t underestimate the power of digital tools when it comes to running a smooth operation and minimising waste. At a minimum you should have digital systems for inventory management, online ordering, and reservations. Putting in the effort to establish an effective online presence will also pay off over time – make your website and social media profiles attractive, consistent and easy to find; and keep your Google and Trip Advisor profiles up to date. It’s worth the effort to make sure you’re visible to potential customers and ensure a steady stream of business.  

4. Make your equipment work for you   

How much is your equipment costing you? Maintenance, repairs and high energy costs can create a painful dent in the cash flow of a café or restaurant. Upgrading to more efficient equipment might make all the difference in your operating costs.

When you fund your equipment through Rent-Try-Buy you have the option to upgrade it at any time if your business grows, changes direction, or the equipment isn’t suitable for you anymore. You can upgrade it to the same or a different type of equipment — as long as it’s standard hospitality equipment with a value equal to or higher than the original equipment.  
 

5. Know your numbers    

A full house and a steady stream of customers might look like a sign of success, but high sales don’t always translate to strong profits. If your menu pricing doesn’t cover rising ingredient costs, or if labor expenses are eating into your margins, you could be working harder without seeing the financial rewards. Hidden costs like food waste, inefficient workflows, or unexpected overheads can also chip away at your bottom line, making it essential to track where your money is really going.

That’s why it’s crucial to break down your costs and look for areas for improvement. Are your best-selling items the most profitable? Could adjusting portion sizes, renegotiating supplier contracts, or streamlining staff schedules help you cut unnecessary expenses? Small tweaks in pricing, cost control, and efficiency can make a significant impact, ensuring that a busy café isn’t just bustling—but truly profitable. 

Looking for more cash flow tips?

We’ve a team of hospitality equipment finance gurus on hand to answer your questions. Reach out to us using the contact details below. When cash is king, even small changes can have a big impact—let’s keep more of it in your pocket!