- 1). Check with Occupational Safely and Health Administration regulations in your area to ensure that your bakery complies with code regulations. Visit your local Health Department to ensure that your bakery has been inspected and passes all tests regarding food safety, employee safety and building regulatory codes.
- 2). Utilize proper storage techniques for cold and dry storage items. Display counters and cabinets should have proper ventilation, and cool storage cabinets should have thermometers displayed to ensure that the temperature does not enter the danger zone for food.
- 3). Establish a cleaning and sanitizing program that meets Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points standards as well as local Health Department standards. Ensure that there is proper drainage in flooring and ventilation in the ceilings and that the entire property is free of fire or other injury hazards. Hire a professional kitchen cleaning crew or inform your employees to conduct regular cleanings of the kitchen, bathroom and common areas.
- 4). Utilize restaurant software or bakery software program to help you track inventory, purchase orders, clients and upcoming orders for clients. Use the same program to do basic accounting or hire a professional accountant to keep track of accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll. Monitor inventory on a weekly basis by printing a checklist from your bakery inventory program and verifying it with the actual products in front of you. Use inventory days to discard any old food or items that are past their expiration dates.
- 5). Test new recipes and improve upon old recipes. Remember that clients will have favorites that you do not want to change but also they will be looking for something new to try. Compare sale records with current recipes and cycle out recipes or items that do not sell well and replace them with new ones.
- 6). Teach your employees to be knowledgeable and courteous. Customer representatives at the front of the bakery are the first face your clients will see; therefore, ensure that your employees are properly trained to please the customer at all costs. Ensure that your employees know what ingredients are used in preparing bakery items, so that they can warn clients of potential allergens.
- 7). Offer free sample days every other month or even once a month to showcase new recipes and bring in new potential clients.
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