Simplify Your Food Service Inventory Management

If you've recently developed a new menu and carefully calculated the daily food cost per customer, it might seem like you're all set. However, there’s a big difference between expected costs and what you pay in the end. The good news is that a well-structured inventory management process can help, saving you time and money.

Why does inventory management matter?

Inventory management is not just about knowing what is on your shelves. It is about making sure that every dollar spent on food is accounted for and used wisely. Without a solid system and bad inventory habits, you might face unexpected costs and will be more likely to overstock or understock items.

So how might the process of inventory management be made simpler? Here are some strategies that make it easier without overwhelming you or your team:

1. Start simple

Take the time to track your most expensive or often-used things first rather than attempting to track every single item. As soon as those are tracked, begin categorizing your lesser-used objects. This will allow you to start with the products you are comfortable with and work up to the system.

This approach also allows you to see immediate savings. For example, if spoilage of fresh dairy is a recurring issue, make it a priority to track those items closely.

2. Technology

Gone are the days when pen and paper were the go-to tools for inventory management. Today, digital inventory management systems can dramatically simplify the process, giving you real-time data. These systems can alert you when items are running low, automate reorders and provide detailed reports that help you make decisions.

There are various apps and systems that are available to help this process. They can help you monitor inventories and expenses, and guarantee that you never run out of excellent items or satisfied customers. They track product shelf life, give live information and can be great for warehouse management.

3. Use proper storage for your food products

Proper storage is very important for maintaining food quality and improving the efficiency of your inventory management. When stored correctly, food products stay fresh longer, extend their shelf life and minimize waste. Effective storage practices also ensure food safety, protecting consumers from contamination or spoilage.

By maintaining optimal storage conditions, companies can track stock more accurately, reducing the chances of overordering or underordering. Proper storage also streamlines kitchen operations, allowing staff to easily access ingredients and improve workflow.

At The M. Conley Company, we offer a wide range of storage solutions to support your food service needs. From plastic to paper to foam containers, our products are designed to help you store food efficiently and safely. Explore our full range of food service storage products here.

4. Take inventory more often

An alternative to monthly or yearly is to add inventory tracking into your pre-order process. As your staff checks stock levels before placing orders, they can quickly count the items and write the number of remaining or purchased items down. After finishing their order, they can update the inventory number. This will help you catch small mistakes earlier.

For even greater efficiency, you can divide your key items into groups and rotate inventory checks throughout the week. For example, check items marked with pink stickers on Mondays and those with green stickers on Thursdays. This method is less likely to overwhelm your staff.

We understand that inventory control may appear to be a very difficult task. However, it doesn't have to be. You can make this job into an effective asset for your organization by getting your staff on board, using tech when you're ready and starting small. It all comes down to making the initial moves toward improved cost and operational control over your food business. It doesn't matter if you use expensive software or a notebook to record your notes, what matters is that you are paying attention to your products to make your business more successful.