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Inventory and waste

Inventory is cash sitting on shelves. Count it too rarely and you cannot see shrinkage or spoilage until the month is over; hold too much and product expires before it is used; hold too little and the menu runs out in the middle of service.

These guides cover the routines that keep stock accurate and lean: how to count, how to set par levels that trigger orders at the right time, how to log and reduce waste, and how software turns those habits into numbers you can act on.

Reading path

  1. 1Restaurant Inventory Management: The Complete Guide for 2026The complete overview: counting methods, par levels and technology.
  2. 210 Inventory Habits That Lower Food Cost and Keep Kitchens Running SmoothlyThe daily and weekly habits that bring food cost down.
  3. 3How to Reduce Food Waste in Your Restaurant: A Data-Driven GuideWhere kitchen waste comes from and how to measure and cut it.
  4. 46 Practical Ways to Get More Value From Your Inventory SoftwareHow to set up inventory software so the team actually uses it.

Where this happens in Wox

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Step-by-step guides in the Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a restaurant count inventory?

Count high-value items such as proteins and alcohol daily or at every shift change, and run a full count weekly. A full monthly count is the minimum for calculating food cost.

What is a par level?

A par level is the amount of an item you want on hand between deliveries. When stock falls below it, it is time to reorder. Good par levels follow actual usage and delivery frequency rather than habit.

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