Summer is Coming—Is Your Fast Food Franchise Ready?
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and soon, your fast food franchise will be busier than ever. Summer is peak season for many restaurants, with families on vacation, students off from school, and warm weather driving people to grab a quick bite on the go.
But here’s the thing—more customers also mean higher costs. Increased labor, larger food orders, and unexpected expenses can hurt your cash flow if you’re not prepared. Plus, hiring seasonal employees and managing staff schedules can be a logistical nightmare without the right strategy.
The good news? With the right planning, summer can be your most profitable season. In this guide, we’ll walk you through cash flow management, seasonal hiring, and smart cost-saving strategies to help your franchise thrive.
1. Forecast Your Summer Sales & Expenses
📌 First step: Look at last year’s summer data. What were your peak sales days? When did you spend the most on food, labor, and utilities?
✅ How to Forecast Summer Sales Accurately:
✔ Review last year’s sales reports – Identify your highest and lowest revenue weeks.
✔ Factor in trends – Will local events, tourism, or promotions impact traffic?
✔ Track weather patterns – Hotter days often mean more cold drinks and ice cream sales.
✔ Check supplier costs – Food prices fluctuate in the summer, so plan accordingly.
💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t have detailed records, start tracking data now to improve future forecasts. Tools like Toast, Square, or QuickBooks can help automate reporting.
2. Plan for Higher Inventory Costs (Without Overspending)
With more customers, you’ll need more ingredients. But ordering too much can lead to food waste and higher costs.
✅ How to Manage Inventory Efficiently:
✔ Adjust orders based on projected sales – Don’t order blindly. Use past data to estimate needs.
✔ Negotiate better deals with suppliers – Bulk orders might get you discounts.
✔ Monitor expiration dates & use FIFO – (First In, First Out) to reduce waste.
✔ Stock up on high-demand items – Drinks, fries, and ice cream often spike in summer.
📌 Remember: Prices of fresh produce and meats tend to rise in summer. Lock in pricing with suppliers early if possible!
3. Optimize Your Cash Flow for Seasonal Expenses
📢 More revenue is great, but only if you can manage cash flow effectively. Increased labor, inventory, and unexpected repairs can quickly drain your profits.
✅ Smart Cash Flow Strategies for Summer:
✔ Set aside a cash reserve – Cover payroll and unexpected repairs.
✔ Negotiate flexible payment terms – See if suppliers allow extended payments.
✔ Track daily expenses – Use accounting software to monitor spending.
✔ Offer limited-time promotions – Increase cash flow by selling high-margin items.
💡 Pro Tip: A bookkeeper can help you track spending, identify cost leaks, and ensure your franchise stays profitable all season long.
4. Hire & Train Seasonal Employees Early
🌟 Hiring the right seasonal staff can make or break your summer success. The best workers get hired fast, so start recruiting early!
✅ How to Hire Seasonal Employees Effectively:
✔ Post job listings in April or May – Target high school & college students.
✔ Use local job boards & social media – Facebook groups and Indeed are great for hiring.
✔ Offer referral bonuses – Employees who refer friends often bring reliable workers.
✔ Train new hires before peak season – Give them at least 2 weeks of training before summer rush starts.
📌 Need staff fast? Consider hiring part-time workers or cross-training current employees to cover extra shifts.
5. Schedule Smarter to Control Labor Costs
Labor costs are one of the biggest expenses in a fast food franchise, and in summer, overtime can add up fast.
✅ How to Keep Labor Costs Under Control:
✔ Use scheduling software – Tools like 7shifts or Homebase prevent overstaffing.
✔ Track employee hours closely – Prevent early clock-ins and unnecessary overtime.
✔ Cross-train employees – Flexible workers can cover multiple roles, reducing extra hires.
✔ Schedule peak hours efficiently – Make sure enough staff is available during rush times.
💡 Pro Tip: Consider hiring a mix of full-time and part-time staff to handle seasonal demand without overspending on payroll.
6. Launch Summer Promotions to Attract More Customers
More foot traffic means more opportunities to drive sales. A well-planned summer promotion can increase average ticket size and boost revenue.
✅ High-Impact Summer Promotion Ideas:
🎉 Limited-time summer menu – Offer exclusive drinks, ice cream, or grilled items.
🏷 Combo meal deals – Increase per-customer spend with bundled pricing.
📍 Local event partnerships – Sponsor summer events to attract crowds.
📱 Social media contests – Run giveaways to increase engagement & brand awareness.
📌 Tip: If you’re investing in marketing, track promotion performance so you know what works best!
7. Prepare for Unexpected Expenses
No matter how well you plan, things happen. Equipment breaks, power outages occur, and emergency costs can pile up fast.
✅ How to Prepare for Unexpected Summer Costs:
✔ Have an emergency fund – Keep at least one month’s operating expenses saved.
✔ Schedule equipment maintenance now – Prevent costly mid-season breakdowns.
✔ Review your insurance coverage – Make sure you’re protected for common risks (e.g., power outages, equipment failure).
💡 Pro Tip: A solid cash flow strategy helps absorb unexpected expenses without hurting profits.
Make This Summer Your Most Profitable Yet!
With smart planning, your fast food franchise can thrive this summer—without cash flow problems or last-minute hiring stress.
Here’s what to do next:
✅ Forecast sales & inventory needs
✅ Hire & train seasonal employees early
✅ Manage cash flow & control labor costs
✅ Run high-impact summer promotions
✅ Prepare for unexpected expenses
💼 Need expert bookkeeping & financial guidance? We help fast food franchise owners stay profitable, reduce expenses, and manage cash flow year-round. Schedule a free consultation today!