Food for Thought: Tackling Rising Costs in Hospitality & Food Businesses

Emma
Oct 15
2 min read

The food and hospitality world has always been full of passion, people who pour heart and soul into what they create. But over the past couple of years, that passion has been tested. Prices have gone up, profits have tightened, and many small business owners are feeling the pinch.

At Barleyfields, we work with cafés, catering businesses, and hospitality companies who tell us the same thing:

“We’re busier than ever… but it feels harder to make it add up.”

If that sounds familiar, this blog is for you.

The reality for small hospitality businesses

When ingredient costs rise, energy bills jump, and customers start cutting back, it can feel like you’re being squeezed from every side.

The challenge isn’t just financial, it’s emotional too. You’re proud of what you do. You want to keep prices fair for customers and staff. But behind the scenes, it’s a constant balancing act between cost, quality, and survival.

We see it every week when we help our clients go through their accounts: the effort, the creativity, the love that goes into every plate of food, every cup of coffee. You deserve to feel like that effort pays off.

A few ways to steady the plate

1️⃣ Review your menu regularly

Ingredient prices move fast. What was profitable last spring might be a loss-maker now. Look at your best sellers and be honest about what’s no longer worth keeping.

2️⃣ Don’t underprice your time

Hospitality owners often think of profit in terms of ingredients, but forget to include their own time. Every hour you spend planning menus, ordering stock, or working late counts and should be costed in.

3️⃣ Keep your bookkeeping tight

This is where calm and clarity come in. Having your numbers up to date (even just weekly) helps you spot trends, manage suppliers, and make quicker, more confident decisions.

4️⃣ Check your energy and supplier contracts

Sometimes, the biggest savings come from renegotiating or switching. Review what you’re paying for utilities, waste collection, and card processing , it adds up fast.

5️⃣ Plan for quieter months

Seasonal dips are normal, but they can hit hard if you’re not ready. Use quieter times to prep for the next busy spell, financially and mentally.

Beyond the numbers

Rising costs aren’t just about money, they affect your wellbeing too. The long hours, the uncertainty, the constant “doing more with less.”

If you run a food or hospitality business, you’re not alone. There’s a whole community of small business owners facing the same challenges, and support is out there.

We understand the strain that comes with running a business in this climate. Our job is to help you find steady ground, with clear numbers, simple systems, and a plan that works for you.