Neighborhood Cafe Improves Franchise Model with Increasingly Efficient Cloud-based Applications
Corner Bakery Cafe, a fast-casual restaurant concept known for its ingredient-inspired menu and neighborhood cafe atmosphere, announces the implementation of Altametrics’ e*Restaurant and e*SmartClock to improve labor, food, human resources and administrative costs at all of its cafes. Through a variety of increased process efficiencies, these solutions will improve the franchise’s overall economic model beginning in August.
“Our ability to adopt forward-thinking technology has put us in the position to more than double our national footprint by 2017. For that reason, we knew there was room for growth in the way we handle a number of our staffing, scheduling, human resources and administrative functions,” says Gary Price, president of Corner Bakery Cafe. “Through a lengthy research phase, and due diligence of a number of different cloud-based solutions, we knew Altametrics’ technology platforms would meet and exceed our needs. Other Altametrics clients have seen 200 to 300 bps improvement between food and labor costs.”
To maintain its rapid ascent atop the nation’s list of fastest growing fast-casual brands, Corner Bakery Cafe needed help to strengthen its economic model as well as create operational enhancements for its general managers. The company looked for a new time-keeping platform that would fully integrate the timekeeping and scheduling functionalities. After a three-month test in 10 company-owned stores, Corner Bakery Cafe found its solution with Altametrics’ e*SmartClock technology, which features an easy-to-use touchscreen, and provides real-time visibility, monitoring and alerting of critical labor elements such as pro-active notification of an employee approaching overtime.
Corner Bakery Cafe also looked to change the way it projects labor needs and expedite basic accounting and human resources functions. The company looked for a precise model that could forecast labor based on tasks required, and could pull invoices and pay partners more easily. After exploring several platforms, Corner Bakery Cafe chose to adopt Altametrics’ e*Restaurant technology. In addition to leveraging the powerful forecasting engine to deliver a more accurate and efficient crew schedule, e*Restaurant is fully integrated with e*SmartClock. The two elements work in concert to help managers ensure crew schedules are properly executed and ultimately provide improvements in labor costs. Similarly, e*Restaurant allows for simplified product ordering and inventory management resulting in improvements in food costs.
“In a continued effort to provide our franchise partners with a best-in-class business model, we continue to invest in technology solutions such as e*Restaurant and e*SmartClock,” explains Gregg Koffler, vice president of franchise sales for Corner Bakery Cafe. “Technology innovations such as these will drive growth and excitement throughout the brand as we look to support existing and new franchise partners.”
For more information on available Corner Bakery Cafe, including available franchise territories, visit www.CornerBakeryCafe.com/Franchise-Information.
Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to guests in 17 states and Washington, D.C. Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants are owned and operated by CBC Restaurant Corp. with more than 165 company-owned and franchised locations around the country. Founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax and gather with family and friends, Corner Bakery Cafe offers a casual atmosphere featuring innovative, seasonal menu options ranging from hot breakfasts and signature paninis to handcrafted salads, sandwiches and mouthwatering sweets. Offering dine-in, to-go and catering service for any occasion, Corner Bakery Cafe delivers a premier bakery cafe experience in the heart of neighborhoods everywhere. Corner Bakery Cafe was acquired in 2011 by Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that specializes in business and consumer service companies with attractive growth prospects and revenues ranging from $20 million to $1.0 billion. More information on Corner Bakery Cafe franchise opportunities is available at CornerBakeryCafe.com/Franchise-Information. Become a fan of Corner Bakery Cafe on Facebook and on Twitter.
