Foodservice Updates Technology

Prepare for demand swings with tech-enabled forecasting

7/18/2025

Getting precise about forecasting pays big dividends in foodservice. A recent report from Food Management said facilities using predictive analytics tools reduced food waste by up to 25 percent and improved ordering accuracy by 30 percent. How well do your current systems analyze historical consumption patterns, resident preferences (if applicable), census data and weather trends to predict food demand? If you see room for improvement when it comes to your food waste percentage and order accuracy, you can approach it from a few different angles: Having integrated POS and inventory systems helps encourage the flow of data so the algorithm can learn your actual vs. projected usage – then you can adjust accordingly. Using menu software that records individual choices can help you fine-tune projections. Adopting modular menu planning can help you adjust your menu on the fly in response to unexpected shifts in demand. Finally, scheduling weekly reviews of your forecast to reflect supply issues, illness, or changes in occupancy can help you stay on top of waste too.
These approaches can be especially helpful in senior living foodservice, where seasonal illnesses, resident turnover, fluctuating appetites, and unpredictable supply chains can all have an outsize impact on the business. (A number of tech-enabled forecasting solutions – CBORD, MealSuite and TrayTalk are a few – now offer forecasting modules tailored to senior care.)

New technology means new threats – here’s how you can protect your business

7/3/2025

New technology means new threats – here’s how you can protect your business
According to the 2025 Restaurant Technology Outlook from Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business, more than 63 percent of foodservice operators surveyed are likely to invest in technology this year. As restaurants embrace new technology to streamline operations, their exposure to security risks grows. In February, an attack on the dining-tech platform Grubhub underscored the urgency for robust security and compliance protocols. While such attacks are increasingly common, they still have the potential to damage a business’s relationship with customers.
Restaurant Technology News reports that AI is playing a heightened role in the security of restaurant tech. AI-driven video analytics with cloud-based monitoring, access control, alarms, and environmental sensors are offering real-time detection of fraudulent activity and breaches. But operators must also reinforce their digital defenses with more manual protections: patching outdated systems, enforcing strong password hygiene and multi-factor authentication, and maintaining offline, encrypted backups.
Here are some tools operators can consider to reinforce their cybersecurity:

Cloud video systems with redundant storage to safeguard footage and maintain continuous visibility
AI-enhanced video analytics, with human oversight
Regular software updates and vulnerability scans
Staff training on phishing, credential security, and incident response planning, including hands-on exercises to help staff recognize potential threats
Oversight by a security provider that specializes in hospitality tech to support compliance with relevant regulations

Threat actors are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to attack – but they are also looking for the easiest targets. In an increasingly connected restaurant landscape, operators who combine intelligent tech tools with disciplined cyber practices and operational readiness can make themselves more difficult to attack. In the process, they can better protect their revenue, reputation and guest trust.

Prepare for demand swings with tech-enabled forecasting

New technology means new threats – here’s how you can protect your business

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