Pat Horning, IronOaks President
IronOaks Food and Beverage Operations Were Profitable in 2024!
Did you know that the average lifespan of a non-chain restaurant is around five years, with a significant portion failing within the first year and most closing within five years of opening? And did you know that it was only seven years ago that our Food and Beverage Operations were losing upwards of $600,000 annually? These stats are very scary.
Due to the efforts and diligence of our General Manager John Reyhons and our entire BlueStar Food and Beverage team, I am proud (and happy) to inform you that in 2024 our Food and Beverage Operations not only broke even, but we made a small profit.
Our Food and Beverage Operations include Stone & Barrel, Grill on the Green, catering events, and now also include our new Poolside Community Center Café.
How Did We Have Such an Incredible 2024?
I recently sat down with our General Manager John Reyhons and asked him how he was able to turn around our Food and Beverage Operations in the face of soaring food and labor costs. Here is what he shared with me:
“Running any food and beverage operation is a difficult task. Running it profitably is even tougher. And running it for our homeowners creates unique challenges for our team, because keeping service and food quality at a high level is a top priority while also maintaining a great experience and value at all our venues.”
• We’ve had growth in revenue, which always helps, and our takeout business continues to grow.
• Our Catering department is contributing solid revenue. And our new Director of Catering Kimberley Wilder is running on all cylinders, with 2025 shaping up to be fantastic!
• We pay close attention to our “prime costs,” which are labor and cost of goods sold, and we manage our expenses closely.
• The BlueStar national purchasing contracts really help keep our food costs, consumable items, and operating costs down.
• We cross-utilize products when and where it makes sense and streamline our menus.
• Good inventory management and pricing strategies.
• Increase our homeowner’s engagement and promotional events (gift cards, special event dinners, etc.).
• We have an amazing F&B team that has resulted in strong scores from Coyle Hospitality and Open Table.
• Being open to the public is good and is a good business model for our community.
Let’s Keep It Up! How You Can Help
We are very fortunate to have three very different yet outstanding opportunities to gather, eat, drink, and enjoy the company of friends and family. Whether you want to sit by the pool, enjoy upscale dining, or watch sports on our TVs (inside and out), maybe even while enjoying a game of cornhole or sitting by the firepits, we have the places for you.
You can play a vital role in keeping our operations profitable. Consider your IronOaks locations when looking for a quick snack, a refreshing drink (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic), a tasty sit-down meal, or a catered event at your home. There’s also the fantastic music and dancing at both Stone & Barrel and Grill on the Green to enjoy! You only need to visit us every now and then to play a critical role in supporting your community.
IronOaks: The Ideal Retirement Destination!
We are committed to enhancing our community to ensure IronOaks remains the most desirable retirement destination in the Valley. And now with three unique places to drink, eat, and relax, you have more reasons to enjoy our amenities and services! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you. See you next month!