What is included in a merchandising budget for a quick-serve restaurant supply business?

The merchandising budget for a quick-serve restaurant supply business primarily focuses on the projected sales of merchandise over a specific period. This includes estimating total sales, which is crucial for planning inventory purchases, setting pricing strategies, and determining cash flow needs. A solid estimate of total sales allows the business to gauge the expected revenue and align its purchasing decisions accordingly, ensuring that they have enough stock to meet customer demand without overextending their finances.

In contrast, operating costs and employee salaries contribute to the overall expenses a business incurs but are not specifically related to the merchandising budget. Advertising expenses, while important for promoting sales, do not directly reflect the sales projections themselves. Thus, estimating total sales is a foundational component of a merchandising budget, enabling effective financial planning and operational execution in the supply business.