ProPortion: Optimizing Restaurant Food Waste Management

Introduction

Welcome to ProPortion, an innovative solution designed to help restaurants manage and reduce food waste effectively! This application allows users to input their ingredient lists, build menu items, and analyze order and sales data to gain insights into their food waste. By utilizing machine learning, ProPortion helps predict ingredient needs for the upcoming week, ensuring restaurants have the right amount of supplies without excess waste.

How It Works

Ingredient Input

Users begin by entering a complete list of ingredients used in their restaurant. This step ensures that every ingredient is accounted for in the waste calculations.

Menu Management

Next, users can build and manage their menu items. By associating ingredients with specific dishes, ProPortion tracks usage accurately and highlights areas for potential waste reduction.

Order and Sales Data Upload

Restaurants can upload their order and sales data, which ProPortion uses to analyze how much of each ingredient is utilized and wasted over a defined period, typically a week.

Waste Calculation

ProPortion calculates the amount of waste generated per ingredient, providing users with valuable insights into their operations. This data empowers restaurants to make informed decisions about inventory management and ingredient usage.

Predictive Analytics

Using a machine learning algorithm called Quantile Regression, ProPortion predicts the quantity of each ingredient needed for the upcoming week. This method ensures that restaurants are well-stocked without over-ordering, minimizing waste while meeting customer demand.

Data Visualization

To aid in analysis, ProPortion displays multiple graphs that visually represent the restaurant's data and food waste trends. These visualizations help users identify patterns and make strategic adjustments to their operations.

Why It Matters

Cost Savings

By accurately calculating food waste and predicting ingredient needs, ProPortion enables restaurants to significantly reduce excess spending on inventory and supplies.

Enhanced Sustainability

Reducing food waste contributes to a more sustainable food industry. ProPortion empowers restaurants to operate more efficiently, lessening their environmental impact.

Data-Driven Decisions

The comprehensive analytics and visualizations provided by ProPortion equip restaurant managers with the knowledge they need to make data-driven decisions, optimizing their operations and improving profitability.

Conclusion

ProPortion represents a vital tool for restaurants looking to manage food waste more effectively. By combining ingredient tracking, predictive analytics, and insightful data visualizations, this application not only saves money but also fosters a more sustainable approach to food management. Whether you're a restaurant owner aiming to improve efficiency or a manager looking to make smarter inventory decisions, ProPortion showcases the potential of technology in transforming food waste management practices.