Crumby Data: Uncovering the significance of insignificant data

        In food service, data is king—but not all data gets equal attention. While leaders tend to focus on big metrics like revenue, inventory, and customer counts, “crumbs” of data—like napkin usage, condiment trends, and wait times—often go unnoticed. Nevertheless, these small details can yield big insights. Here’s how to turn crumby data into a feast of operational strategy:

• Napkinomics — White Castle proved that even small tweaks can deliver big results. By switching to more efficient napkin dispensers, they slashed napkin usage by 69%, saving about 20% in costs.(1) Napkin usage isn’t just about controlling waste—it can also signal other issues. Excessive napkin grabbing could indicate the need for spill-resistant packaging or enhanced dining room cleanliness. Spotting these trends early keeps minor inefficiencies from becoming big issues.

• Sauce is Boss — Condiment habits reveal your customers’ preferences and opportunities for improvement. For example, if a particular sauce is in high demand, why not lean in and craft a signature dish to showcase it? But including those sauce packets with every order can lead to wasted product and dollars. Even ketchup—America’s undisputed condiment king (2) — can be too much of a good thing. Sometimes, less really is more.

• Taking Turns – When it comes to table turn times, balance is crucial. Turn times that are too long may point to bottlenecks in the kitchen or a delay in getting customers their checks. On the other hand, too-short turn times can indicate rushed service, which can tank customer satisfaction if diners feel hurried. Analyzing table turn time trends using time of day, table size, and staff performance can highlight opportunities for finetuning service flow, adjusting staffing levels, and making menu modifications.(3)

      Want to know more about how you can realize significant savings by harnessing the power of crumby data? Click on the link below to reach out to our team.

1.      Whitehead, S. A. (2017, October 18). White Castle Test: Sometimes small things make a big difference. QSRweb.com.

 2.      Sands, C. (2022, June 24). Survey Shows Almost 32% of People Prefer This Condiment. Tasting Table.

3.      Integrated Insight (2020, June 19). How to Maximize Restaurant Throughput By Minimizing Table Turn Time.