Innovation That Matters

| Photo source Foodwise

AI reshapes smart restaurant food prep

Food & Drink

This platform helps kitchens boost their efficiency and cut waste

Spotted: Over $1 trillion of food is wasted around the world every year, and this waste is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Restaurants play a part in this by over-preparing and misjudging demand, which means that excess food gets thrown away – at great financial and environmental expense. Now, Foodwise Solutions has developed an AI-powered restaurant management platform to address this issue, helping to streamline operations and limit waste. 

Foodwise recognised that the majority of restaurants still use old-fashioned methods to plan their food prep, relying on basic spreadsheets or whiteboards. The Colorado-based team of founders aims to bring these practices into the modern-day, using machine learning to help restaurants create accurate prep lists. The software analyses historical sales data, weather conditions, local events, and holidays to better anticipate demand. This, in turn, helps restaurants prepare the right amount of food, cutting down on produce spend and unnecessary waste.

The core principle behind the solution is automation. In contrast to whiteboards and spreadsheets, Foodwise offers a dynamic, data-driven platform that updates in real time. Jennifer Bundrant, co-founder and chief marketing officer, told us about the vision: “Our immediate goal is to help restaurants operate more efficiently and sustainably. However, we could see Foodwise expanding beyond the restaurant industry to address food waste in other sectors. In the long term, the software could evolve into a comprehensive management system.”

After recently winning the New Venture Challenge, Foodwise has moved from the initial software build stage and is now ready to start testing with pilot restaurants. The trials will help fine-tune the platform based on real-world feedback before a wider rollout. The team is also seeking strategic partnerships to accelerate adoptions. “Ultimately,” says Bundrant, “we want Foodwise to become a key solution for restaurants, helping them not only cut waste but also transform their operations.”

Written By: Oscar Williams

Website: getfoodwiseapp.com