Stop Thinking of Forecasting as “Finance Work”
Most hospitality owners and managers see forecasting as something the accountant does — maybe once a year or just before tax time.
But if you want to run a profitable venue every week, forecasting is not optional. It’s how great operators lead.
At Profitability Partners, we teach venues to use weekly forecasting as a leadership tool — not a spreadsheet chore.
Here’s why it matters.
1. Forecasting Creates a Benchmark for Every Decision
Forecasting isn’t just about predicting the future. It’s about setting expectations.
When you forecast sales and wages each week, your managers and chefs know what targets they’re aiming for. They can plan rosters, shifts, prep and stock levels with purpose — rather than guessing or defaulting to “what we did last week.”
2. It Helps Control Costs in Real Time
A good forecast gives you early warning signs.
For example, if you’re having a slow sales day, your manager can decide not to go over roster. That decision only happens if they know what the plan was — and how the day is tracking against it.
Forecasts give you the context to make smart, real-time calls that protect profit.
3. It Builds a Culture of Ownership
When forecasting is part of your weekly rhythm — as it is in the PERI framework — your team stops reacting and starts leading.
They begin to think like owners.
They take responsibility for their rosters, their sales targets, and their results. And that ownership creates accountability — and performance.
4. It’s the First Step in Every Weekly PERI Cycle
At PRP, we follow the PERI system (Plan, Execute, Results, Improve). Forecasting is the entire Plan stage. Without it, the rest of the cycle falls apart.
Your weekly forecast sets the foundation for execution, gives context to your results, and drives meaningful improvement.
Final Thought
Forecasting isn’t a finance task — it’s a profit leadership tool.
And when it becomes part of your weekly rhythm, it helps your team act with purpose, adjust with speed, and improve over time.
Want Help Getting Started?
At Profitability Partners, we help pub and restaurant groups implement forecasting and weekly financial rhythms that actually improve profit.
Click here to learn more and get started with weekly forecasting that works.