As an industry we are facing the continuous rise of commodities that adversely affect our businesses.  The rising price in grains and feed affect the price of raising cows, pigs, and chickens increases price for milk, eggs and of course the meat and poultry.  Efficient use of these staples in our restaurants is essential in remaining competitive in the marketplace.  This translates into food cost.  We can’t afford to waste the food we sell either in the inefficiencies of converting raw product into sales– or theft. 

“Pizza, pizza, pizza!  Everyday it’s pizza.  I get so tired of pizza that I eat free as a benefit of working here.  So, with a little ingenuity, our late night crew now gets a little variety in our diet.  We worked out a little trade with the other late night restaurants next door and across the street.  We exchange a few pizzas for chicken, tacos, burgers and fries.  Everybody’s happy!”  While investigating mysterious rising trends in food costs, I heard this kind of statement many times from employees, particularly those working the late night shifts.