Excessive leftovers after a meal may indicate what issue?

Excessive leftovers after a meal typically suggests a problem with planning, particularly in how meals are prepared based on expected customer consumption. If a food service operation consistently has significant amounts of uneaten food, it indicates that the amount of food prepared may have been overestimated compared to what customers actually consume.

Inadequate forecasting of customer needs, either due to a lack of understanding of preferences or changes in customer volume, can lead to this scenario. Proper planning involves not only knowing how many patrons to expect but also understanding typical portion sizes and preferences to avoid overproduction.

While high customer demand would generally lead to less leftover food, effective food storage procedures deal with how food is managed post-preparation rather than addressing the initial quantities prepared. Excellent portion control would typically minimize waste as well, reinforcing that planning is central to preventing excessive leftovers.