The AI-Powered Pantry: How Predictive Ordering Is Slashing Food Waste and Costs

2 Min Read By Ellie Gabel

Predictive ordering, empowered by AI, can help restaurant operators address significant challenges such as food waste.

What Is Predictive Ordering? The U.S. generated 73.9 million tons of food waste in 2023, with the retail sector accounting for $28.7 billion of that amount. Restaurants can reduce those numbers by using AI to modernize and optimize their businesses. Predictive ordering focuses on data and algorithms to forecast customer demand, therefore “predicting” what people want. 

This technology is used to anticipate demand and determine inventory levels. Say the most popular item on the menu is steak, but sometimes people choose to order pasta. Restaurant staff are likely aware of the trend and focus on accounting for it when preparing inventory. Predictive ordering can help. The AI tool monitors data in real time and assists staff in tracking inventory levels instantaneously so they don’t order too much or too little of either pasta or steak. 

This technology is…