When it comes to improving restaurant profitability, sometimes the smallest operational changes can have a surprisingly big impact.
For Alberta restaurant owners and operators, increasing average order value without adding labour, food preparation or operational complexity is always worth exploring.
According to Coca-Cola Canada, something as simple as switching from canned beverages to single-serve bottles on takeout and delivery menus could help restaurants generate approximately 53% more profit per beverage transaction.
Here's why the numbers are worth a closer look.
The $0.71 Difference That Adds Up
At first glance, the difference between offering a can of pop and a bottle might not seem particularly significant. But when you look at the profit generated from each sale, the opportunity becomes much clearer.
That's an additional $0.71 in profit every time a customer purchases a bottle instead of a can, representing approximately 53% more profit per beverage sold.
For a restaurant selling 100 bottled beverages per week in place of cans, that would translate to approximately $3,692 in additional annual beverage profit, assuming the same profit difference applies to each transaction.
And the best part? This doesn't require introducing a new dish, expanding your kitchen capacity or adding additional preparation time.
It's an adjustment to an existing menu category that could help improve the profitability of orders you're already receiving.
ut Will Customers Pay More for a Bottle?
A 500 mL bottle offers approximately 41% more beverage than a standard 355 mL can, helping justify the higher price while offering added convenience.
Unlike cans, bottles are resealable, making them ideal for takeout and delivery. They also offer a more premium, single-serve experience that customers may perceive as more valuable.
For restaurants, it's a simple opportunity to increase average order value while giving customers more product and flexibility.
What Happened When Two Alberta Restaurants Made the Switch?
The opportunity isn't just theoretical.
Coca-Cola Canada shared results from two Alberta restaurants that transitioned from 355 mL cans to 500 mL bottles, with both locations reporting increases in annual beverage case volume following the change.
Restaurant A saw its annual case volume increase by 2,986 cases, while Restaurant B recorded an increase of 1,018 cases.
While individual results will vary, these examples demonstrate that transitioning to bottled beverages can be a worthwhile opportunity for operators to explore.
Combined with the higher profit per beverage transaction, the results make a compelling case for taking a closer look at how beverages are positioned and priced on takeout and delivery menus.
The takeaway? Small changes to your beverage menu could create meaningful opportunities for your bottom line.
Insights and Alberta restaurant examples provided by Coca-Cola Canada, an Alberta Hospitality Association partner.