Alaska Cod and Pollock: Crispy, Craveable, Comforting - banner - both - 01.25

Nestle Minors Slow Simmered Stock - Free Sample - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Banner Ad - 2 - MM - Food calculator - Operator - Supersized

Dan's Prize Pot Roast, Prime Rib, Short Ribs Time-Intensive Proteins Made Easy - banner - both - 04.20

Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Products - Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - banner - both - 02.20

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - banner - both - 04.19

Banner Ad - 4 - PICs - Operator - supersized

McCain - Takeout and Delivery Resources - Lean on Us - banner - both - 05.20

McCain Free Takeout and Delivery Guide - banner - both - 05.20

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner - both - 04.23

Chef-mate We Can Better - skyscraper - both - 06.23

Your Source for Wild Alaskan Seafood - Surimi - skyscraper - both - 10.24

Tork Compact Foodservice Cloths - skyscraper - both - 07.17

Potato Perks App - banner - both - 05.22

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Beautiful Inside and Out - banner - both - 04.18

Skyscraper Ad - MM -  Beat - Operator

Sugar Foods - Turn Up the Beets Crispy Beets - banner - both - 05.18

Main Exchange - OE - skyscraper - 01.30 - 04.27.25

General Mills - Gluten Free Options - banner - both - 03.18

La Ranchera Birria Base - both - 09.24

Shrimp that Brings the Big Picture - skyscraper - both - 11.22

Kraft - Bold Flavor, New Home. - skycraper - both - 08.22

Your Source for Wild Alaskan Seafood - Surimi - banner - both - 10.24

Battered Alaska Cod Alaska Pollock Alaska Haddock - skyscraper - both - 01.25

Reel in Greater Appeal - both - banner - 10.22

Nestle - Hot Cocoa Bulk and Single-Serve Packets - skyscraper - both - 09.21

Skyscraper Ad - MM - Heat - Operator

Campbells Tomato Soup - Serve Up Comfort and Show You Care - both - banner - 03.05 - 07.31.25

Culinary Reserve - Global Flavors with Out of this World Taste - both - skyscraper - 03.05 - 07.31.25

Hellmann's Vegan Dressing and Spread - banner - OE - 10.22

Sugar Food Traina California Dried Fruits - banner - OE - 10.19

Simplot Conquest Crispy Potato Strips - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Tyson - Bonici - Crave Chorizo - skyscraper - both - 04.21

Nestle Stouffer White Mac and Cheese - banner - both - 08.18

Essity - Clean Dry Hands - banner - OE - 03.17

Sugar Foods - Turn Up the Beets Crispy Beets - skyscraper - both - 05.18

McCain - Maintain Your Restaurant's Unique Identity - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - Don't Labor Over Great Chicken - banner - both - 02.20

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Beautiful Inside and Out - skyscraper - both - 04.18

Seafood is Better - banner - both - 05.21

McCain - Takeout and Delivery Menu Ideas - banner - both - 05.20

Tyson - Hillshire Farm - Legendary Brand - skyscraper - both - 04.21

Jennie-O Take Burgers Over the Top with Turkey - skyscraper - both - 03.20

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt skyscraper with chef - both - 04.23

Simplot Conquest Crispy Potato Strips - banner - both - 01.20

Sugar Foods Deliver It Better - skyscraper - both - 04.20

Sugar Foods Barista Blend - skyscraper - both - 04.17

Ambrosia Chocolate - banner - both - 03.23

Sugar Foods - Add Savory Beet Notes Crispy Beets banner - both - 05.18

Nestle Minors Slow-Simmered Stock - Free Sample - banner - both - 02.20

McCain - Rebuilding Your Biz - Episode 1 - Hack Your Way Back - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Mains Exchange - OE - banner - 01.30 - 04.27.25

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Great Bacon in Half the Time - skyscraper - both - 02.20

McCain - We're Here to Help - Learn More - banner - both - 05.20

Tork Compact Foodservice Cloths - banner - both - 07.17

McCain - Feed and Comfort Your Community with Family Sized Favorites - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Customize Creamy Comfort - banner - both - 04.19

Dan's Prize Pulled Meats Simplify the Kitchen - banner - both - 04.20

Nestle Stouffers Can Your Classics Do This Recipe Ideas - banner - both - 01.20

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Dixie Ultra Surface Systems - skyscraper - both - 02.23

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Style and Substance - banner - both - 04.18

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - skyscraper - both - 09.24

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Dress Your Table for Success - skyscraper - both - 04.18

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Meats - Unparalleled Flavor - banner - both - 02.20

Check Out the Major Products Product Guide - skyscraper - OE - 03.22

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - banner - both - 07.21

Performance Plus Food Safety - skyscraper - both - 09.21

Alaska Cod and Pollock: Crispy, Craveable, Comforting - skyscraper - both - 01.25

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - We Cook It - Operators Take Credit - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Butterball - Your Trusted Partner - skyscraper - both - 07.19

Simplot Sidewinders - Make Waves - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Performance Dairy Clarified Butter - banner - both - 04.24

Savor Imports - banner - both - 06.24

Sunny Fresh Egg Bake Bites - banner - both - 03.23

Indiana Packers - Vertical Integration - banner - both - 07.21

Simply Potatoes Low Sodium Mashed Potatoes - skyscraper - both - 09.23

Certified Cage-Free Egg Bites - Portable, Protein-Packed Breakfast - banner - both - 09.23

Sunny Fresh Egg Bake Bites - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Nestle - Hot Cocoa Single-Serve Packets - banner - both - 09.21

Tyson - Jimmy Dean - Loaded with Flavor - banner - both - 04.21

Rich's Plant Based and Gluten Free Crusts - banner - both - 07.18

Find Fresh Inspiration - skyscraper - both - 08.22

Cargill - Truvia Sweet Customer Satisfaction Naturally - banner - both - 03.19

Essity - Impress Your Guests - banner - OE - 03.17

Tyson Cortona Pepperoni - skyscraper OE 1.23

Tork One Napkin - banner - OE - 03.17

Simplot Delivery Solved - Conquest Fries - banner - both - 08.20

Skyscraper Ad - MM - Cook - Operator

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - banner - both - 01.20

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - banner - both - 09.24

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Customize Creamy Comfort - skyscraper - both - 04.19

Sunny Fresh Egg Patty and French Toast - banner - both - 03.23

Sunny Fresh Egg Patty and French Toast - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Culinary Reserve - Flex with Big Flavor - banner - both - 03.05 - 07.31.25

Cooper Shreds Have Now Arrived - banner - 02.24

Cargill - Truvia Serve America's Best-Selling Stevia Sweetener - skyscraper - both - 03.19

Culinary Reserve - Stylish As They Are Delish - both - skyscraper - 03.05 - 07.31.25

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - Now Serving Flame-Seared Perfection - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Keeping food cost under control is essential to an operation&rsquo;s success. Here are 10 easy steps you can take today to calculate food costs and lower spending.
10 Ways to Keep Food Cost Trim
Vigilance around food cost is always good business, and now more than ever. In 2024, foodservice operators gave &ldquo;managing food costs&rdquo; a 90% importance rating for their business.1
The good news is there are many ways to lower food cost. Read on for suggestions to help you make the most of your ingredients.
1. Portion Control:&nbsp;Let&rsquo;s say you sell 200 1/4 lb. burgers per day. If you average an over-portion of just 1/2 oz. per burger one day, that adds up to over 6 lbs. of beef &mdash; or 25 burgers. Weights and measures, automation and AI, can help keep portions efficient without increasing labor load.
2. Cost Analysis:&nbsp;As costs fluctuate, it can be hard to stay on top of tracking portions and calculating food costs against menu price. But cost analysis is the foundation for all your other math: you&rsquo;d want to know if your best seller had a high or low profit margin. Consider a food costing calendar or AI assistance.
3. Inventory-Management Software:&nbsp;With the ability to provide tracking at the ingredient level, consider leveraging this technology. Connect data you can act on to recipe creation, portioning, food cost, and purchasing tasks.
4. Waste Management:&nbsp;Whether it comes from seafood trims, wilted produce, or over-production, wasted food is wasted income. But the fix doesn&rsquo;t necessarily start with just ordering less. AI tracking and manual recordkeeping of waste can help inform how much to order in the first place.
5. Upcycling:&nbsp;Repurposing scraps and leftovers that would otherwise just be waste is a creative, and effective, solution to food waste. Try using vegetable scraps for tasty stocks, and fruit peels for garnishes and drink infusions. You can even use stale bread as breadcrumbs or coatings.
6. Balancing the Plate:&nbsp;Plate compositions and serving sizes are variable. Trimming protein and adding grain or produce can make food cost more favorable and even enhance value. Three meatballs instead of four looks pretty enticing with chickpea salad and grilled garlic bread!
7. Alt-Protein Options:&nbsp;From heritage pork and filet mignon, to short ribs and chicken wings, proteins can be pricey. After calculating food costs, soften sticker shock with less expensive cuts, like hanger steak instead of rib eye. Also, presentations can highlight luxe ingredients in unexpected ways. Think beef brisket shredded with potato gnocchi and glossed with brisket jus or blue cheese risotto topped with glazed sliced filet.
8. Keep Freebies &mdash; At Request: Items such as portion-control condiments, sugar packets, and coffee whiteners are convenient value-adds. But they can also get overused or wasted. It may be cost-smart to provide as requested, rather than self-serve. Let patrons know they&rsquo;re available: they just have to ask!
9. Revise Security:&nbsp;Foodservice operations, and especially food stores, can be vulnerable to theft. Most operations face stolen inventory, incorrectly voided meals, and voided checks for friends. To preempt losses, cultivate a positive culture with open communication, and back it up with security measures. Make clear what can be eaten during shifts and let employees know inventory is done regularly. If needed, you can also implement lock-and-key safeguards for costly items, or cameras in certain situations.
10. Talk to Your Suppliers:&nbsp;Stay tight and work with suppliers on pricing and specs. They&rsquo;re invested in the success of customers and can offer workable solutions. And shop around with your food costing calculator to make sure you&rsquo;re getting the right quality at the right price.
Perhaps above all, the importance of a positive workplace culture can&rsquo;t be overstated. Get this part right and food cost management can be much easier!
Content courtesy of Nestle Professional
1Datassential PULSE Industry overview: Segment Detail (2024)
The information provided is based on a general industry overview and is not specific to your business operation. Each business is unique, and decisions related to your business should be made after consultation with appropriate experts.

Keeping food cost under control is essential to an operation’s success. Here are 10 easy steps you can take today to calculate food costs and lower spending.

10 Ways to Keep Food Cost Trim

Rising food costs can be a real challenge, directly affecting both your profit margins and customer satisfaction. But with some smart adjustments to the menu, your restaurant can tackle these hurdles without sacrificing quality or risking a loyal customer base. Here are five strategies to help you make the most of your existing resources and navigate these rising costs effectively.
1. Simplify Your Menu
A streamlined menu can significantly reduce food costs by concentrating on dishes that utilize fewer, more versatile ingredients. Begin by analyzing your menu to pinpoint items that are either less popular or expensive to prepare. Consider removing or modifying these dishes to cut down on waste and spotlight high-margin options. Additionally, a simplified menu enhances kitchen efficiency, potentially lowering labor costs over time and streamlining operations. This approach not only helps manage food expenses but also improves overall service efficiency and profitability.
2. Encourage Cross-Utilization of Ingredients
Optimize the value of each ingredient by incorporating it into multiple dishes across your menu. For example, if a chicken is a staple, make sure to use every part effectively. By employing this strategy, you can significantly reduce waste and reduce the need to purchase additional ingredients.
At Wing Snob, we introduced a variety of loaded fry options using our boneless wings, which are less frequently ordered a la carte and more cost-effective than traditional wings. This strategy not only provided guests with a new, exciting menu option but also eliminated the need for additional ingredient purchases.
3. Launch Daily Specials and Limited-Time Offers
Implementing daily specials or limited-time offers gives you the flexibility to experiment with various ingredients and pricing strategies without committing to permanent menu changes. This approach allows you to efficiently adapt to current cost-effective items or manage overstocked ingredients. Additionally, offering specials creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, motivating customers to explore new options and enhancing their dining experience. By frequently rotating specials, you can keep your menu exciting and relevant while also optimizing ingredient use and managing costs effectively.
4. Elevate the Perceived Value of Your Menu
Boost the perceived value of your dishes by paying close attention to their presentation and description. Highlight your ingredients&rsquo; quality, freshness, and unique attributes to support any necessary price adjustments. By showcasing what makes your offerings unique, you can create a more refined and appealing dining experience. This approach not only helps in communicating the value of your dishes but also enhances customer satisfaction, making them more receptive to slight price increases.
The same principle applies to your social media presence. Leverage your followers across different platforms by sharing visually enticing content that makes potential guests&rsquo; mouths water. This strategy generates buzz around your menu items, keeping loyal customers engaged and attracting new ones.
5. Monitor and Adjust Regularly
Adapting to rising food costs is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. It&rsquo;s crucial to continuously monitor your expenses, sales, and customer feedback to make timely adjustments. Being proactive and responsive to market changes will help you stay ahead and sustain profitability.
While rising food costs are a persistent challenge in the restaurant industry, strategic planning, and thoughtful menu adjustments can help you maintain both profitability and customer satisfaction. You can effectively navigate these challenges by efficiently utilizing your resources, simplifying your menu, and remaining flexible. This adaptability will protect your business from fluctuating costs and position you for success in a constantly evolving market.
Source: Brian Shunia, <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/5-strategies-to-optimize-your-menu-and-resources-amid-rising-food-costs/" target="_blank">QSR</a>

Strategic planning and thoughtful menu adjustments can help operators maintain profitability and customer satisfaction.

5 Strategies to Optimize Your Menu and Resources Amid Rising Food Costs

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10 Ways to Keep Food Cost Trim

5 Strategies to Optimize Your Menu and Resources Amid Rising Food Costs