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If you’ve ever opened your walk-in cooler to find wilted produce, or reviewed invoices only to realize your food costs are eating away at already razor-thin margins, you’re not alone. Studies show that food costs can make up 25–40% of a restaurant’s expenses, and without the right controls, small errors in tracking or purchasing quickly snowball into thousands of dollars lost each month.
According to ReFED, U.S. restaurants generate over 11 million tons of food waste annually, costing the industry more than $25 billion every year.
Manual spreadsheets, paper invoices, and disconnected systems are some of the biggest culprits. They waste valuable hours and increase the risk of mistakes. For operators juggling multiple locations or high staff turnover, the challenge only grows.
That’s where smarter restaurant inventory software like MarketMan comes in. By transforming inventory into a streamlined, automated process, operators can cut waste, reduce food costs, and finally gain back control of their kitchens.
Streamline your restaurant’s inventory management with our comprehensive and free Restaurant Inventory Spreadsheet Template. Simplify inventory tracking and ensure your kitchen runs smoothly every day.
Download ResourceRunning a restaurant is a balancing act. Every percentage point matters. When inventory isn’t managed properly, profitability suffers in ways both obvious and hidden:
According to the National Restaurant Association, nearly 75% of operators cite food costs as a top concern. Inefficient tracking compounds the issue, leaving little visibility into where money is going.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that globally, food waste drains more than $1 trillion each year in lost revenue and resources.
Picture this: it’s late on Sunday night, and your general manager is hunched over a clipboard, counting boxes of produce while trying to update a spreadsheet that hasn’t been touched in weeks. Invoices are piled up on the desk, vendor emails are flagged but unread, and tomorrow’s prep list still isn’t finalized.
This isn’t a rare scenario, it’s the norm in many restaurants. The problem? Managers are expected to be accountants, analysts, and supply chain experts on top of running daily operations. That leaves plenty of room for human error and burnout.
By contrast, restaurants using MarketMan streamline this process into minutes. Instead of chasing paper and numbers, managers walk into a kitchen that’s already under control.
Traditional methods like clipboards or Excel sheets simply can’t keep up with today’s fast-moving restaurant environments. Smart restaurant inventory software changes the game by:
With MarketMan, operators report up to 85% less time spent on inventory. Cafe Crepe, for example, cut their inventory process from hours down to minutes while gaining full confidence in their numbers. See the full Cafe Crepe case study
Over-ordering is one of the most common drivers of waste. Without predictive tools, it’s easy to stock too much or run out of essentials during a rush.
The USDA reports that between 30–40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted, underscoring how predictive purchasing is critical to profitability.
Inventory mismanagement often comes down to timing, ordering too late, overstocking ingredients, or missing supplier price changes. MarketMan’s purchasing tools solve this by streamlining every step of the buying process:
Together, these capabilities ensure restaurants never run out of essentials, avoid costly overstock, and buy smarter with data-driven precision.
Ashley Mac’s, a fast-growing restaurant group, used MarketMan to gain full visibility into supplier pricing. The result? 3% lower COGS across all locations.
The key to profitability lies not only in controlling purchases but in understanding exactly how much each dish costs to make. Manual recipe costing is time-consuming and often inaccurate.
MarketMan automates this process by:
Bakery Lorraine leveraged MarketMan’s recipe costing to lower their COGS from 30%, helping them scale with clearer margins across multiple locations. Learn more about recipe costing in MarketMan.
For single-unit operators, inventory is challenging enough. For groups managing 5, 10, or 50+ locations, it can feel impossible. Different teams, suppliers, and processes create chaos without the right systems in place.
Managing inventory across multiple locations isn’t just about tracking what’s on the shelves, it’s about controlling chaos. Each location tends to develop its own ordering routines, supplier preferences, and pricing discrepancies. Without centralized oversight, numbers don’t match, recipes vary, and profit margins shrink. What works fine for a single store becomes a logistical nightmare when multiplied across 10, 20, or 50 units. That’s where having the right system makes all the difference.
MarketMan solves this by:
Multi-location groups like ATFC Ltd. reported an 80% reduction in time spent on inventory, freeing managers to focus on growth instead of paperwork.
Suppliers play a central role in every restaurant’s profitability. When prices fluctuate, invoices are delayed, or substitutions go unrecorded, even small inconsistencies can quietly erode margins across multiple locations. Without proper oversight, operators end up reacting to costs instead of managing them. That’s why visibility and accuracy in supplier relationships are essential—every dollar saved on purchasing directly strengthens profitability.
MarketMan empowers operators to:
With greater transparency and control, restaurants can negotiate confidently, build stronger vendor relationships, and lock in long-term savings.
With more visibility, restaurants can negotiate from a position of strength, ensuring long-term savings. Explore MarketMan supplier management.
MarketMan is trusted and proven by operators around the world:
As Restaurant Business Online highlights, operators are facing ongoing margin pressure from inflation and volatile supplier costs. Without the right tools, it’s nearly impossible to stay ahead.
Unlike competitors who emphasize accounting or POS-first solutions, MarketMan is designed specifically for restaurant operators; giving you practical, operator-friendly tools to control food costs and inventory.
In 2025, restaurant operators are facing a new set of pressures that make old systems even riskier:
This is where AI-powered restaurant inventory software becomes not just helpful but essential. MarketMan is already ahead with:
By 2026, restaurants using AI-driven inventory and cost control tools will reduce food waste by up to 20% compared to those using manual systems (Hospitality Tech 2025).
Imagine a kitchen where counts update automatically, invoices scan themselves, orders adjust based on tomorrow’s reservations, and you know exactly which menu items drive profit. With AI-powered tools like MarketMan, this isn’t the future, it’s happening now.
Operators who embrace smarter software are already protecting margins, scaling faster, and running leaner kitchens. Those who stick to manual systems risk being left behind.
Manual systems are costing operators thousands every year. In 2025, rising food costs, labor shortages, and sustainability mandates make waiting even riskier. With MarketMan, you can cut food costs by up to 5%, save 100+ hours a month, and finally gain confidence in your numbers.
Ready to protect your margins? Book a free demo today.
What is the best restaurant inventory software in 2025?
The best restaurant inventory software is one that reduces food costs, saves time, and integrates with your POS and suppliers. MarketMan stands out with AI-powered forecasting, recipe costing, and proven operator results.
How do restaurants reduce food waste with software?
By tracking inventory in real time, automating purchasing, and using recipe costing, restaurants can buy exactly what they need and cut waste. MarketMan helps operators achieve up to 5% food cost savings.
How can AI ordering help restaurants cut costs?
AI ordering ensures you stock based on actual demand, reducing over-ordering and spoilage. MarketMan’s forecasting uses sales history and upcoming events to place smarter vendor orders.
How does recipe costing software improve menu profitability?
Recipe costing breaks down the exact cost of every dish, accounting for ingredient fluctuations. MarketMan updates costs automatically so operators can adjust pricing or portioning before profits suffer.
What are the benefits of multi-location restaurant management software?
Multi-location operators need centralized visibility. MarketMan provides standardized recipes, supplier management, and performance reports across all units—so owners can make informed decisions from anywhere.
If you have any questions or need help, feel free to reach out
Request a demoDon't miss out on maximizing your restaurant's profits! Calculate your ROI with MarketMan
Calculate ROIIf you’ve ever opened your walk-in cooler to find wilted produce, or reviewed invoices only to realize your food costs are eating away at already razor-thin margins, you’re not alone. Studies show that food costs can make up 25–40% of a restaurant’s expenses, and without the right controls, small errors in tracking or purchasing quickly snowball into thousands of dollars lost each month.
According to ReFED, U.S. restaurants generate over 11 million tons of food waste annually, costing the industry more than $25 billion every year.
Manual spreadsheets, paper invoices, and disconnected systems are some of the biggest culprits. They waste valuable hours and increase the risk of mistakes. For operators juggling multiple locations or high staff turnover, the challenge only grows.
That’s where smarter restaurant inventory software like MarketMan comes in. By transforming inventory into a streamlined, automated process, operators can cut waste, reduce food costs, and finally gain back control of their kitchens.
Streamline your restaurant’s inventory management with our comprehensive and free Restaurant Inventory Spreadsheet Template. Simplify inventory tracking and ensure your kitchen runs smoothly every day.
Download ResourceRunning a restaurant is a balancing act. Every percentage point matters. When inventory isn’t managed properly, profitability suffers in ways both obvious and hidden:
According to the National Restaurant Association, nearly 75% of operators cite food costs as a top concern. Inefficient tracking compounds the issue, leaving little visibility into where money is going.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that globally, food waste drains more than $1 trillion each year in lost revenue and resources.
Picture this: it’s late on Sunday night, and your general manager is hunched over a clipboard, counting boxes of produce while trying to update a spreadsheet that hasn’t been touched in weeks. Invoices are piled up on the desk, vendor emails are flagged but unread, and tomorrow’s prep list still isn’t finalized.
This isn’t a rare scenario, it’s the norm in many restaurants. The problem? Managers are expected to be accountants, analysts, and supply chain experts on top of running daily operations. That leaves plenty of room for human error and burnout.
By contrast, restaurants using MarketMan streamline this process into minutes. Instead of chasing paper and numbers, managers walk into a kitchen that’s already under control.
Traditional methods like clipboards or Excel sheets simply can’t keep up with today’s fast-moving restaurant environments. Smart restaurant inventory software changes the game by:
With MarketMan, operators report up to 85% less time spent on inventory. Cafe Crepe, for example, cut their inventory process from hours down to minutes while gaining full confidence in their numbers. See the full Cafe Crepe case study
Over-ordering is one of the most common drivers of waste. Without predictive tools, it’s easy to stock too much or run out of essentials during a rush.
The USDA reports that between 30–40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted, underscoring how predictive purchasing is critical to profitability.
Inventory mismanagement often comes down to timing, ordering too late, overstocking ingredients, or missing supplier price changes. MarketMan’s purchasing tools solve this by streamlining every step of the buying process:
Together, these capabilities ensure restaurants never run out of essentials, avoid costly overstock, and buy smarter with data-driven precision.
Ashley Mac’s, a fast-growing restaurant group, used MarketMan to gain full visibility into supplier pricing. The result? 3% lower COGS across all locations.
The key to profitability lies not only in controlling purchases but in understanding exactly how much each dish costs to make. Manual recipe costing is time-consuming and often inaccurate.
MarketMan automates this process by:
Bakery Lorraine leveraged MarketMan’s recipe costing to lower their COGS from 30%, helping them scale with clearer margins across multiple locations. Learn more about recipe costing in MarketMan.
For single-unit operators, inventory is challenging enough. For groups managing 5, 10, or 50+ locations, it can feel impossible. Different teams, suppliers, and processes create chaos without the right systems in place.
Managing inventory across multiple locations isn’t just about tracking what’s on the shelves, it’s about controlling chaos. Each location tends to develop its own ordering routines, supplier preferences, and pricing discrepancies. Without centralized oversight, numbers don’t match, recipes vary, and profit margins shrink. What works fine for a single store becomes a logistical nightmare when multiplied across 10, 20, or 50 units. That’s where having the right system makes all the difference.
MarketMan solves this by:
Multi-location groups like ATFC Ltd. reported an 80% reduction in time spent on inventory, freeing managers to focus on growth instead of paperwork.
Suppliers play a central role in every restaurant’s profitability. When prices fluctuate, invoices are delayed, or substitutions go unrecorded, even small inconsistencies can quietly erode margins across multiple locations. Without proper oversight, operators end up reacting to costs instead of managing them. That’s why visibility and accuracy in supplier relationships are essential—every dollar saved on purchasing directly strengthens profitability.
MarketMan empowers operators to:
With greater transparency and control, restaurants can negotiate confidently, build stronger vendor relationships, and lock in long-term savings.
With more visibility, restaurants can negotiate from a position of strength, ensuring long-term savings. Explore MarketMan supplier management.
MarketMan is trusted and proven by operators around the world:
As Restaurant Business Online highlights, operators are facing ongoing margin pressure from inflation and volatile supplier costs. Without the right tools, it’s nearly impossible to stay ahead.
Unlike competitors who emphasize accounting or POS-first solutions, MarketMan is designed specifically for restaurant operators; giving you practical, operator-friendly tools to control food costs and inventory.
In 2025, restaurant operators are facing a new set of pressures that make old systems even riskier:
This is where AI-powered restaurant inventory software becomes not just helpful but essential. MarketMan is already ahead with:
By 2026, restaurants using AI-driven inventory and cost control tools will reduce food waste by up to 20% compared to those using manual systems (Hospitality Tech 2025).
Imagine a kitchen where counts update automatically, invoices scan themselves, orders adjust based on tomorrow’s reservations, and you know exactly which menu items drive profit. With AI-powered tools like MarketMan, this isn’t the future, it’s happening now.
Operators who embrace smarter software are already protecting margins, scaling faster, and running leaner kitchens. Those who stick to manual systems risk being left behind.
Manual systems are costing operators thousands every year. In 2025, rising food costs, labor shortages, and sustainability mandates make waiting even riskier. With MarketMan, you can cut food costs by up to 5%, save 100+ hours a month, and finally gain confidence in your numbers.
Ready to protect your margins? Book a free demo today.
What is the best restaurant inventory software in 2025?
The best restaurant inventory software is one that reduces food costs, saves time, and integrates with your POS and suppliers. MarketMan stands out with AI-powered forecasting, recipe costing, and proven operator results.
How do restaurants reduce food waste with software?
By tracking inventory in real time, automating purchasing, and using recipe costing, restaurants can buy exactly what they need and cut waste. MarketMan helps operators achieve up to 5% food cost savings.
How can AI ordering help restaurants cut costs?
AI ordering ensures you stock based on actual demand, reducing over-ordering and spoilage. MarketMan’s forecasting uses sales history and upcoming events to place smarter vendor orders.
How does recipe costing software improve menu profitability?
Recipe costing breaks down the exact cost of every dish, accounting for ingredient fluctuations. MarketMan updates costs automatically so operators can adjust pricing or portioning before profits suffer.
What are the benefits of multi-location restaurant management software?
Multi-location operators need centralized visibility. MarketMan provides standardized recipes, supplier management, and performance reports across all units—so owners can make informed decisions from anywhere.
Talk to a restaurant expert today and learn how MarketMan can help your business
