Getting your canteen ready for the grade 7’s in Queensland Schools

Whether you are gaining or losing grade seven’s custom in 2015, every Tuckshop and Canteen will need to start preparing now if you haven’t already.

For high schools- You will need to review not only the facility but also the equipment currently in place. Many high schools have been seeking funding and doing upgrades for a year. If you haven’t started then you really need to start now.

Grants can often take up to 12 months from when you apply to when you get the money if you are successful. Upgrade wish list included in this newsletter

Consider if you need to split the lines so younger students are not lining up with older students. The difference in physical size in students can be intimidating for younger grades and this may mean they won’t line up to buy.

Consider a vending machine to relieve the pressure until the Canteen can be upgraded and enlarged. Go for the long life version of products you already sell to stock it. From the research I have been doing recently, it really is worth outlaying the money to buy your own vending machine so your school keeps all the profits rather than the distributor.

Have a dedicated volunteer recruitment drive- see free fact sheet on website or buy a fast track Volunteers pack you can easily tweak.

Consider your paid staff level. Do you need to add to the casual pool? Recruiting, training and inducting new staff can be a very slow process. Don’t leave it until the end of the year

For primary schools- You will need to increase your income stream. This can be achieved in a multitude of ways such as a dedicated marketing campaign, targeting teachers and considering out of the box ideas.

You may also be able to tighten the purse strings by actively seeking discounts and making more foods onsite

For both-

Staffing hours will need to be reviewed. In a primary school grade sevens are the big spenders but in high school it is just the opposite. Primary schools may be losing 20% or more of their income unless something else is done to replace the income, if not, then a downturn in profit will very quickly be noticed.