Hi everybody!
Well id like to hear from those hostels who do serve food... or have!
We all know how good it is to experience a new cuisine in a foreign country but what about when you've been travelling in the same continent (Asia, Sth America) or country for several months and all you want is something familiar to bite into, so..
What about different cuisine nights??
Curry in a Hurry mondays (may not sound the best)
Tuesday Saute...Asia
Well hung wednesdays (steak night)
Thursday gourmet...pizzas
Friday Guiness pie and good bye
Saturday local cuisine
Sunday Roast with the host
We all know the positve effects food has on somebodies mood scientifically, however from a business perspective the above may not me feasible.
I can see some constraints, e.g.
$$$
Additional kitchen
Food costs
Wages
However there are many clever hostels out there so im just keen to hear what you offer!!
Thanks
Steve
15 years
We offer something international, that is of excellent quality, and that is very typicall to us Argentine naturals but that also matches everybody´s taste.
We have a Pizza place!
20 flavours
10 empanada flavours
and Calzonne-
PPLUS....BEER!
15 years
Hi Steve,
The hostel I worked at had free dinners three times a week. Always remember any investment into services or amenities is with the intention of immediate returns in your guest service rateings. If this end is not acheived you are just chasing your tail round and round. Free dinner does not generate revenue so you must keep your Labor and food costs down while garenting all your guests are served, if the buffet line runs out of food before all your guests are served you are doing more damage than good. Comply with all local and state health codes as that is one bunch of folks you dont want to be on the bad side with. If you have a trained cook on staff he/she will keep food costs down by useing ingredients that can utilised in more than one dinner, i,e, onions & Rice can be used for a Thai Curry night and later in the week for a Mexican Burritos night. Monitor your Hostel rateings closely, if they do not improve within one month of starting your free dinner night do a complete review of your Free dinner operation. Make sure you advertise this service on your website and rack flyers.
Good luck
Patrick O`Donnell
15 years
Hi all,
Thanks for the reply.
Kapake.. yes pizza is a winner, and i presume from the link that you source it from an outside provider, which has many advantages, and keeps the guests happy. There are no set up costs, no extra wages, and can be a great addition to the business. I guess this works well for a small hostel where space can be issue too.
Pat; Free dinners are good ( i had one at the green tortoise in San Fran), i helped in the kitchen and had first pick on food (before it ran out). It does have a positive effect on the guests, and it is a great gathering place of all guests and so the hostel took the opportunity to make some annoucements and promotions. I wouldnt say the food was great, however it fulfilled a purpose.
I am more concerned on providing food at an additional cost which may/may not work... its interesting Pat you mention check the ratings and see what effects it has on the guests. I think if food would to be offered it would be on a very low profit margin, more so to encourage guests to eat in, something they really miss. OF course we have to gauge what cultural demographic visits the hostel to then make an appropriate judgement. I have run kitchens in the past so keeping food cost low and using the same ingredients would not be too much of an issue.
Is there anybody out there who currently runs a hostel with food at a cost?
What are your food cost like?
Big thanks Kapake and Pat for the replies
Cheers Steve
15 years
This place was an old house...built in the 1900´s so the "garage" is the pizzeria, it works with people outside the hostel, but we have this small window that sends in any orders from the hostel.
It´s a very nice idea.
Well, prices are standard to the area (Palermo) which is a middle high class one. And for foreign people is not expensive at all...
Costs right now are over the profit, but this is because we just opnend. Kapake and La manola opened 3 months ago...so we need patience.
I hope I was helpful!
Cya
Luciana
15 years
Hi everybody!
Well id like to hear from those hostels who do serve food... or have!
We all know how good it is to experience a new cuisine in a foreign country but what about when you've been travelling in the same continent (Asia, Sth America) or country for several months and all you want is something familiar to bite into, so..
What about different cuisine nights??
Curry in a Hurry mondays (may not sound the best)
Tuesday Saute...Asia
Well hung wednesdays (steak night)
Thursday gourmet...pizzas
Friday Guiness pie and good bye
Saturday local cuisine
Sunday Roast with the hostWe all know the positve effects food has on somebodies mood scientifically, however from a business perspective the above may not me feasible.
I can see some constraints, e.g.
$$$
Additional kitchen
Food costs
WagesHowever there are many clever hostels out there so im just keen to hear what you offer!!
Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve,
Sorry for not getting back sooner, mad busy at school. The restuarant I work in know runs about a 4% profit margin. We try to be in 33-35% food cost range. I do not know how useful this is to you. I will try to look into this further in the future as this service becomes more common in Hostels.
Good Luck
Patrick
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