Standing Behind Your Product: Why Quality Can't Be Compromised

Probably the top concern I am hearing from GMs at the moment is… pricing.

I can feel the pressure everyone is under. Members do have expectations around pricing, and putting prices up can be genuinely difficult. The tough things is: poor quality will feel expensive whatever the price. Focus on meeting your members' needs, serve the best and most consistent product you can... but be aware that prices are under pressure AGAIN this summer!

Food prices in supermarkets have risen over 5% this June alone. If it’s not already here, that squeeze is coming for everyone, whether you're ready or not.

On that note, just last week, I spoke to a friend who is a restaurant owner; he’s struggling with this exact dilemma. His words stuck with me: "If I don’t put my prices up because nobody will buy it, in the end… I'm going to go out of business, so I might as well price properly and stand behind what I'm serving."

Blunt? Yes. But he's right.

So what's the answer?

Stand behind your products and maintain quality; you have to consistently deliver the products your members love.

Your members aren't asking for charity; they're asking for value. There's a massive difference between fair member pricing and unsustainable pricing that forces you to compromise on quality.

Yes, it's a delicate balance. Yes, it requires difficult conversations. But your reputation depends on consistency; not just in service, but in the quality of what you're putting on the plate.

When you start chasing margins by cutting corners on ingredients, you're not saving your business... you're slowly destroying what makes it special.

It’s an emotional decision, but stay true to who you and your club are: maintain your standards and price accordingly, or watch quality slip away one "small" compromise at a time.

Your members will notice eventually. They always do.

What's your biggest challenge when it comes to F&B pricing at your club? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And if you're struggling to find that sweet spot between member value and financial sustainability, why not take our Success Scorecard? It might just highlight some opportunities you hadn't considered: https://hospitalityingolf.scoreapp.com/

Quick one — if you’ve not done this yet, my scorecard helps you spot gaps across guest experience, costs, and day-to-day ops. Takes a few minutes and you’ll get a proper report at the end.