Sustainable entrepreneurship in the hospitality and food industry [including tips]

Sustainable entrepreneurship is a hot topic in every sector but in the hospitality and food industry, it's a concept that has been readily adopted. This is because the hospitality sector has the unique opportunity to contribute to sustainability. Changes to your hospitality business can significantly impact waste production, waste management, energy and water consumption and your social responsibility efforts. Want a greener reputation? The chefs at La Lorraine Bakery Group explain how to transition to a more sustainable business.

Why should your hospitality and food business commit to sustainable entrepreneurship?

Committing to sustainable entrepreneurship not only benefits the environment — there are numerous benefits for your business as well. Examples include cost savings, an improved reputation, a better food cost percentage, a competitive advantage and increased employee satisfaction. Let's explore these factors in greater detail:

Cost savings: sustainable entrepreneurship leads to considerable cost savings. Energy efficient appliances, reducing waste and saving water can reduce your operational costs and your food cost percentage.
Reputation and customer loyalty: consumers increasingly place value on sustainability and environmentally friendliness. Businesses that make a clear commitment to sustainable entrepreneurship build a better reputation and attract more customers who consciously choose sustainable options. This leads to increased customer loyalty, as consumers are motivated to return to businesses that share their values.
Competitive advantage: sustainable entrepreneurship is a differentiating factor in a competitive market. If you position your business as sustainable, you can distinguish yourself from your competitors and gain a strong USP. In addition, consumers are often prepared to pay higher prices for sustainable options, which is great for your food cost percentage.
Employee satisfaction: sustainable entrepreneurship includes treating your employees well, which translates to a fair salary, attractive working hours, fringe benefits etc. In short, by giving your employees what they deserve, they'll enjoy working at your business and you'll retain them for longer.

Now you understand the benefits sustainable entrepreneurship can offer your business, you might be wondering how you can make this transition. We have a few tips for you.

Tip 1: reduce your waste production

The biggest step towards creating a sustainable business is reducing your waste production. By waste, we are mostly referring to food waste but this can also encompass other types of waste like packaging. Reducing food waste requires some adjustments but is worth the effort, as it can greatly impact your food cost percentage. It not only benefits the environment but also your turnover. Some tips for avoiding food waste.

Optimise your stock: keep a detailed inventory of your stock and use the FIFO method (first in, first out) to make sure that you use your oldest products first.
Portion sizes: offer flexible portion sizes to avoid giving customers too much food. For example, have a children's menu, but also smaller meals for people with modest appetites. With Italian concepts, there are many ways to integrate smaller portions, but other types of dishes can also be adapted. For example, smaller sandwiches or even mini sandwiches.
Menu composition: integrate seasonal ingredients into your menu. These are ingredients that are available in abundance at certain times and can be purchased to boost your stock. Create various recipes with these ingredients to meet the dietary needs of your customers and keep waste to a minimum.
Re-use ingredients: there are some ingredients where waste is unavoidable. However, there are some simple solutions for dealing with this waste. For example, why not create a fish stock with fish and shellfish scraps, or make a pesto from carrot tops? Another option is a chef's appetiser board. You can incorporate leftover portions of pre-prepared dishes in a creative way or create some appetisers from scratch with leftover products. This is good for the environment, as well as customer satisfaction.
Use products with a long shelf life: some products like frozen products have a long shelf life. For example, the bread products, viennoiserie, patisserie or savoury snacks from La Lorraine Bakery Group. These products can be defrosted based on customer demand, making them ideal for handling peak times.

In addition to food waste, you can also reduce your waste production in general. Do you offer takeaway? Provide reusable packaging or let your customers bring their own packaging in exchange for an attractive discount. Opt for drinks in glass bottles rather than cans, paper bags instead of plastic and so on. Small changes can make a world of difference.

Tip 2: partner with local suppliers

The origins of your product also have a strong impact on your environmental footprint. Therefore, you should partner up with local suppliers. This will not only decrease transport emissions but also allow you to support the local economy. In addition, partnering with a local supplier like a butcher for meat, a fishmonger for fish, or a farmer for vegetables can often result in cost savings for you. Is there a popular butcher in your area? Using their products can even become a USP. Is there a brilliant brewer around the corner from your business? Support each other and reap the rewards. A win-win!

Other than food, you can also collaborate with local entrepreneurs. For example, a custom printing business for unique packaging or a local ceramics artist for your tableware.

Tip 3: minimise water and energy consumption

Another important step towards sustainable entrepreneurship is minimising your water and energy consumption. This is often the largest investment but you'll make that money back in due course. Are any of your most frequently used kitchen appliances on the older side? Replace appliances such as fridges, dishwashers, ovens and hobs with newer models that have an “A” energy label.

There are other investments you can make, such as purchasing solar panels, a water pump, water-saving toilets, automatic taps, LED lighting, efficient heating elements etc. The options are endless.

Extra tip: instruct your employees on how to use your appliances in a way that will preserve their lifespans and optimise your sustainable efforts.

Tip 4: motivate your customers to make sustainable choices

Your customers can also impact the sustainability of your business. So try to encourage them to make environmentally-friendly choices. Some examples:

Include vegetarian and vegan products in your menu.
Highlight dishes with seasonal products.
Give customers who bring their own sustainable packaging with them a discount.
Use organic products and encourage customers to choose them.
Provide free tap water as well as bottled water.

Always give your customers several options to maintain customer satisfaction but give them a little push in a sustainable direction.

Sustainable entrepreneurship with LLBG at your side

Looking for a sustainable partner? La Lorraine Bakery Group can help you grow sustainably. Our sustainability strategy is founded on 10 company-wide projects to realise our sustainability ambitions. LLBG cares for people and the environment with initiatives ranging from responsible purchasing, sustainable innovation, energy transition and reduction to satisfied employees. Want to take a step in the right direction alongside LLBG? Fee free to contact us or discover the delicious products in our product catalogue.

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