Lights, Camera… Leftovers?

Hey everyone, Thanos here, co-founder of BRINQQ. We’re all about helping small businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, like cafes, restaurants, and takeaways. We work with many of you who are operating across the South West of England and we know that running a restaurant isn’t always easy. So, let’s chat about something many of you deal with: food waste.

Recently, one of our clients had a photoshoot for a delivery platform. Now, to show off a whole menu, you need a lot of food, right? We had to ask ourselves, what do we do with it all? Do we just toss it out? That got me thinking about how much food waste happens every day in restaurants and what we can do about it. It’s not just about saving money, it’s also about being thoughtful about our society and always trying to find a way to turn a negative into a positive.

The Food Waste Problem

First off, let’s be real – food waste is a big deal. In restaurants, lots of things can lead to food being thrown away. Sometimes it’s over-ordering, sometimes it’s customers not finishing their meals, sometimes it’s that the food wasn’t cooked correctly and therefore you cannot serve it to customers, and sometimes it’s just food going bad before it gets used. Whatever the reason, it’s costing you money and it’s bad for the environment.

A familiar worry. Food waste is profit slipping through your fingers and goodwill leaking out the back door. The UK hospitality industry already bins about 1 million tonnes of food every year, worth roughly £682 million! This is £682 million written off the UK economy from hospitality businesses just like yours. It’s massive considering the economic turbulence we are experiencing right now!

But here’s the flip side: every plate you save can become fresh content, community buzz and cost recovery. Let me share how you can flip a negative into a positive every time we’re involved — and how you can do the same consistently.

First of All, Why Should You Care About Food Waste?

• Saves You Money: Every bit of food you throw away is money down the drain. Reducing waste means more profit in your pocket.
• Good for the Planet: Food waste in landfills creates harmful gases that contribute to climate change. Reducing it helps protect our environment.
• Builds a Good Image: Customers are more likely to support businesses that care about the environment. Showing you’re tackling food waste can boost your reputation.
• Team Pride: Staff feel better working for a place that does the right thing.

Six Easy Steps to Cut Food Waste Today

1. Plan the Shot List Like a Prep List: Forecast covers, set pars and brief kitchen.
2. Cook Small, Shoot Often: Film in micro bursts during service. The food you would plate anyway becomes the hero — gold for social media marketing for restaurants.
3. Feed the Team, Film the Smiles: Turn test plates into staff meals and candid social media photos.
4. Turn Surplus into Specials: Eight portions of paella left? Re-label it Tuesday Fisherman’s Lunch, pop it on Stories, watch it fly.
5. Join Too Good To Go (TGTG): Package a “Magic Bag” of unsold food; earn back cost and meet eco-minded locals — budget-friendly restaurant marketing at its best.
6. Donate What You Can’t Sell: Partner with a food bank or community fridge. FareShare-style projects recently saved the equivalent of 1.5 million meals in just weeks.

BRINQQ and Helping Your Business

At BRINQQ, we understand the challenges you face in the hospitality industry. We specialise in marketing for independent hospitality businesses such as yours. We know that social media marketing for restaurants is important, and we can help you share your sustainability efforts with your customers.

We can help you tell your story — how you’re reducing waste, how you’re supporting the environment, and how you’re making a positive impact in your community. This is a powerful message that can set you apart from other businesses.

By 2030, the UK aims to halve per-capita food waste under UN SDG 12.3. AI tools already cut factory waste by 87% in trials — proof this goal is possible.

A Glimpse at The Future

Food waste is a big issue, but it can also be turned into a big opportunity. By taking simple steps, you can reduce waste, save money, and show your customers that you care. Small steps you take today put you ahead of regulations and win green-minded diners.

And remember, BRINQQ is here to help. We can support all your marketing needs — from social media to building your brand.

Last but not least, if you’re not already a member of Too Good To Go, you can join via this link. We might make a penny, but you’ll also be connected to a lovely guy called Dan who will walk you through the simplest of processes, do everything for you, and explain the few easy steps you need to follow from your side.

Thanks for reading!

Food waste is not a cost of doing business; it’s a marketing asset waiting for a story. Next time you plate something perfect for the camera, ask: “How many mouths can this feed, and how many clicks can it earn?”

Turn the lens, turn the tables — and turn that negative into a positive.