Reducing Food Waste = Saving Money

By making an effort to reduce your waste, you’re not just reducing waste—you’re cutting costs, boosting margins, and showing leadership on sustainability.

In 2023, restaurants and foodservice businesses in the U.S. generated 12.7 million tons of surplus food—and more than 85% of it was thrown away.

But here’s the opportunity:

✅ ReFED estimates that foodservice businesses can unlock over $31 billion in net financial benefit by reducing food waste.

✅ That’s a 4:1 return on investment—real savings that go straight to your bottom line.

Here's how your restaurant can save money while cutting waste:

🥗 Right-Size Portions

Customers often leave food on the plate—ReFED estimates 70% of surplus comes from plate waste.

📉 Savings: Reduce ingredient spend by offering smaller portions or flexible sizing.

💡 Example: One full-service restaurant saved $1,000/month by offering half-size entrée options.

📊 Track Your Waste

Use tools like ERM, or even simple spreadsheets to track what gets thrown away.

📉 Savings: Identify overproduction, spoilage, and prep errors.

💡 Example: A quick-service chain reduced food costs by 3% within 6 months of tracking back-of-house waste.

🥡 Donate Surplus Food

Partner with food rescue orgs.

📉 Savings: Reduce disposal fees and support tax deductions where applicable.

💡 Example: A mid-size café cut landfill costs by 25% and gained new customers through a food rescue app.

🛒 Use Markdown Apps or Specials

Offer “happy hour” pricing or end-of-day discounts for perishable menu items.

📉 Savings: Turn would-be waste into revenue.

💡 Example: Bakeries using markdown alerts sold 80% of unsold pastries they previously tossed.

👥 Train Your Team, Educate Your Guests

Simple changes in prep, portioning, and plate returns make a difference. Menu design can also reduce waste.

📉 Savings: Staff engagement helps catch waste earlier, while diners become part of the solution.

Let’s turn waste into wins—for your business, your customers, and the planet.

👉 Curious how to get started or optimize what you’re already doing? Let’s chat.

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