Education as the key to success for the HoReCa sector

Coke academy: Education as the key to success for the HoReCa sector

How to find and retain quality personnel in the hospitality industry, why it is important for this sector to catch up with the digitization of business and how changes in consumer habits affect HoReCa sector not only in Serbia but also on a global level – these are the key topics that restaurateurs, managers and owners of restaurants, cafes and other catering facilities wanted to hear more about at the recently held Coke Academy in Belgrade. Synergy between small and large business systems, through meetings where best practices are shared and new knowledge and business tools are adopted, not only contributes to a broader perspective in small business operations, but also to the progress of the entire andndustries.

That’s the company Coca-cola HBC Serbiarecognizing the needs of their own HoReCa partner, launched in 2022 Coke Academya long-term educational project that offers strategic support to caterers and retail partners in order to effectively respond to economic challenges, improve business processes and align their operations with contemporary trends. So far, six workshops have been held within this academy, three of which are reserved for catererswhich sector.

The third HoReCa Coke Academy workshop – focus on key challenges industry

The HoReca Coke Academy gathered over a hundred owners and managers of hotels, restaurants and cafes from all over the country, who received practical advice for overcoming key challenges and improving paddressing.

“Support HoReCa sector and the local economy is an investment in a sustainable future and at the same time promotes the values ​​of our company, which builds long-term partnerships with customers. That’s exactly why Coke Academy important for all of us, as an opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas with our own HoReCa partners and to provide them, as a company, with support in further business planning. I believe that this is the only way we can overcome challenges together and create additional value that brings concrete results”, he said Saša Marković, general manager of the company Coca-Cola HBC Serbia.

Model iz sveta: How to manage finances, innovate and nurture employees?

According to data from the US National Restaurant Association (State Of The Restaurant Industry) from the year 2023, as many as 92 percent of restaurateurs highlight high food procurement costs as the biggest challenge in business. At the same time, 62 percent of operators face challenges in finding labor, while 60 percent of restaurants in the US still maintain a business model characterized by high costs, insufficient capacity utilization, etc.abe margins.

Although the insights into the movements in large markets, such as the American one, are very significant and give a broader picture of the opportunities for business improvement, local conditions are, however, different, while restaurateurs in Serbia encourage each other to look at these experiences in order to see their own opportunities to improve the strategy for attracting, developing and retaining quality personnel. During Coke Academy education, special attention is therefore devoted to efficient management of operating costs and improvement of financial menajmenta

“The main goal of the project Coke Academy is to open a dialogue about ways to improve business. Visits HoReCa facilities on the ground provide us with insight into current challenges, including labor shortages and transaction volume, as owners increasingly face rising purchase prices, among others. That is why the focus of this workshop is to find solutions together, hear the experiences and ideas of our partners and build a common network that will help us overcome barriers and remain competitive”, he pointed out. Mirko Gutić, director of sales in the company Coca-Cola HBC Serbia.

Mirko Gutić, sales director at Coca-Cola HBC Serbia

Future trends in hospitality: technology and innovation as the key to sustainability business

During the workshops, participants also learned about future trends that will shape the industry, such as digitization, business automation and innovations in business models. The growing trend of “deliver-only” and virtual restaurants, which enable lower operating costs, is particularly highlighted, as well as the use of data analytics for consumption forecasting and offer optimization. Automation, including robots and digital systems, is becoming significant in reducing costs and improving service, while at the same time increasing efficiency in managing operations.with power.

After getting acquainted with the key topics and strategies for business improvement, the participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and receive concrete advice for improving their facilities. “That joint dialogue and mutual support is the greatest value of the Academy. The topic of ‘food-waste’ management is particularly interesting to me, and I would like to learn more about that aspect of business in future lectures.” pointed out Filip Gračanin from the hotel “Crni vrh”, on Divcibarama.

Although the hospitality sector faces numerous challenges in the modern market, there is a clear opportunity for success – through innovation, education and continuous improvement, the conclusion of this Coke Academy workshops. Technological changes, such as automation, the use of data analytics and the development of new services that respond to consumer needs, enable restaurateurs to achieve greater efficiency, sustainability and, ultimately, professionalstability.

Through the project Coke Academy companies Coca-Cola HBC Serbia so far, more than 400 hospitality and retail partners have passed, who had the opportunity to get acquainted with the latest business pto love

Source: BIZLife

Photo: Vuk Saric