Running a restaurant is hard work — keeping customers happy, cooking delicious meals, managing staff, and keeping the operation running smoothly. But there’s one thing many restaurant owners overlook that can make a big impact on your bottom line: waste. From leftover food and spilled drinks to over-prepped ingredients, waste can add up quickly.
That's why we’ve created a simple Restaurant Waste Tracker, a tool designed to make tracking waste as easy as pie (and no, we don’t mean the kind that ends up in the trash!). Whether you're in Eugene, OR, or anywhere else, this tool is here to help you reduce waste and save money, without the headache.
What Is the Restaurant Waste Tracker?
It’s simple: our Restaurant Waste Tracker lets you log everything that's wasted throughout your day. You can track:
Total Waste Cost: How much is being thrown away? You’ll get the dollar amount.
Total Items Wasted: A simple count of how many items are going to waste.
Most Wasted Item: This will help you figure out what’s being wasted most often.
Top Waste Reason: Is it food prep, expired ingredients, or something else? You’ll know exactly why things are being wasted.
Keep the window open on your shared restaurant tablet or laptop — no matter if the window reloads, your data will still be there.
Why Should You Use It?
Honestly, tracking waste isn’t something you should wait on. Not only can it save you money, but it’s also super easy to do. Here’s the kicker — the more honest your team is, the better the data you get. So don’t make your team feel at fault for wasted food. Provide them with better processes. This helps you make smarter decisions about inventory, portion sizes, and your overall operations.
We Challenge You to:
Track your waste for just one week. Here’s how it works:
Track Waste Daily: Have your staff log all the waste they see throughout their shifts. Food, drinks, napkins — everything goes on the tracker.
Be Honest: Encourage your team to log the waste honestly. No need for anyone to be nervous about reporting food waste — it's all about improving, not blaming.
Screenshot at the End of the Day: At the end of each day, ask your team to send you a quick screenshot of the waste log. That way, you’ll be able to see trends as they happen. You can also have them print out the full page. Easy, fast data!
Do This for One Week: Track waste every day for seven days. At the end of the week, you’ll have a starting place to start making smarter decisions.
How It Helps You (And Your Bottom Line)
As a restaurant owner in Eugene, OR, you already know that every dollar counts. The waste tracker helps you understand where money is being lost, so you can make adjustments quickly.
Save Money: By identifying the most wasted items, you can adjust your ordering and prep.
Cut Down on Waste: Learn which items are being wasted most often and reduce excess stock.
Track Trends: Over time, you’ll spot patterns that can help with everything from inventory management to portion control.
Get Started:
Open the restaurant waste tracker on your shared restaurant computer or ipad and keep the window open:
*Important Note: Remember to keep the window open.
Discover Waste, Improve Your Menu, and Show It Off
If you’re a restaurant owner in Eugene, OR, don’t wait — By tracking waste, you’ll uncover opportunities to fine-tune your menu, reduce unnecessary waste, and save money. Once you’ve made those changes, let us help you showcase your updated dishes with stunning, professional food photography. It’s the perfect way to highlight the new and improved menu to your customers.