It’s one of the hardest things to juggle… Having enough inventory to meet demand each week, but also keeping it low, as to avoid stockpiling or food waste.
We mentioned this in our last article, but keeping track of inventory (and your par levels) is essential to the success of your restaurant.
• Par-Cooking or partially cooking food means cooking a food item part way and then finishing the. cooking process right before it is going to be served. • This method can be used for multiple types of food such as fries, meats, and vegetables.
When Should Inventory Exceed Par Levels?
There are a few instances that you’ll run into that will require you to hold inventory in excess of your par level. They include:
- Events and holidays – Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, etc.
- Delivery issues – Natural disasters, weekends, and holiday can cause delays in delivery. Some restaurant will have to carry inventory in excess when this happens.
Understanding your restaurant’s par levels will help keep your business running at an optimal level. Using data from purchases (sales report) and inventory levels, you’ll be able to calculate each ingredient par level with better accuracy. If using Orderly, we provide you with everything needed to estimate par levels. You have access to sales, food spend, food cost, cost of goods sold, and so much more.
Restaurant Par Level Example
Example:
- (14 cases used weekly + 3 cases (20% safety)) / 2 deliveries per week = 8.5
- In this example, the par level for this item would be 8.5 cases.
Safety stock levels are different for every ingredient. But in general, a good rule of thumb is to have around 20-30% of weekly invoice use in safety stock. This will allow for unexpected demand. But it’s important to review your sales reports and inventory turnover rate, this will allow you to better estimate and avoid food waste or stockpiling.
What is an inventory PAR level?
FAQ
What does par mean in food?
What does par mean product?
What does par stand for in ordering?
What is an example of a par level?
What is Par cooking?
Par cooking is a cooking technique that is widely used in the preparation of breaded snack items. These snacks, which are loved by people of all ages, are often coated in breadcrumbs or batter. Par cooking involves partially cooking these snacks before packaging, making them quick and convenient to prepare at home.
Why is Par cooking important?
From frozen foods to restaurants, par cooking has revolutionized the way we enjoy our meals, making cooking a more efficient and enjoyable experience. With proper handling and storage, par-cooked food offers both convenience and safety, providing individuals with a hassle-free way to savor delicious dishes in no time. What does par mean in cooking?
What does par mean in the restaurant industry?
If you’ve ever played golf, you’re familiar with the term par, which denotes the number of strokes it should take to get the ball in the hole. To help you remember what par means in the restaurant industry, just swap the strokes for meats, produce, dairy and other foods and swap the hole for your fridge.
How has Par cooking changed the food industry?
Par cooking has revolutionized the food industry, particularly in the frozen foods sector. It has become an essential technique for manufacturers, enabling them to produce a wide range of frozen food products that can be quickly and effortlessly prepared.