Possible Billion Dollar Idea... Can it REALLY happen?

[Maxjohan]

This was started for anyone who could go with it,I just saw a problem where I worked and took steps to solve it. Doesn't matter how it gets solved. I will take any BONE thrown my way but not requiring it.I am just happy to help.

Yeah. I read your first post again after I posted. Nice. But I will definitely throw you some money if I make millions.

 

[Maxjohan]

How often is it possible to clear your trash on your own in restaurants in the US?

Or do most just leave everything at their table and walk out? I'm talking fine dining and causal dining.

All I can speak of is the last 12 months my observations I found maybe 4 pieces of dining utensils mostly knives (2) spoons(1) forks(1) on the parking lot when cleaning it , mostly found silverware inside bags of trash at the end of my shift when we have to dump the trash and just see what we find without much digging what comes to the surface.So, I would have to say majority of people dining just leave their stuff on the table, and it is the carelessness of employees that cost restaurants the most money.

Your question was: How often is it possible to clear your trash on your own in restaurants in the US?

Or do most just leave everything at their table and walk out? I'm talking fine dining and causal dining.

Does, this help answer your question?

Thanks for the response. I seriously don't think there is a market for the product I had in mind. Considering also as you said employee theft is the bigger one. It is 75% and customer theft is only 25%.

Also I used Google keyword tool to find out searches on "restaurant theft". Only 40 searches a month.

There seems to be little to no market for this.

Seems like a better market for me. Is to move on to my other idea. With a bigger demand already.

I just much rather deal with a known market right now. Than to try to reinvent the wheel.

Though. Here is a decent article on the subject. That I found while doing re-search on the subject:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/27/dining/27THEF.html

Quite eye opening both from restaurant owners point of view. And in general on what is getting stolen from restaurants. But I guess you already knows this. As you seem to be in the restaurant business.

 

[Vigilante]

Leaning towards closing this thread as I am lost in it. What's happening here? Is anyone taking action on the OP? This idea needs to move into execution. Feel free to post a progress thread on this down the road. Thread closed for now pending further development and admin discussion.

 

[Ronnie Bryan]

The problem: Restaurants in all 50 states, and maybe even over seas, lose a lot of dollars every month on silverware either taken out by customers', or that end up in the trash, despite the fact, magnets have been invented to help stop this loss.

Thinking if possible could there be a way to solve this problem,an invention to track silverware?or maybe, a new type of silverware. I am still locked in working on my first, invention so, do not have the time to really, get into this thought.

My thinking is this, someone can run with this, and earn lot's of money, so if it helps anyone great.

 

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[Ronnie Bryan]

You ALL made me laugh, okay, I do know managers will have employees clean the parking lot, even dig through trash to grab what little silverware they can.

I also, know they bitch about the loss and cost of each it ALL adds up.Maybe, you can't stop people from stealing.

I thought about this the eight hours I worked tonight how about inventing some sort of trash can that beeps if silverware is dropped in it. Has sensors?

 

[Ronnie Bryan]

You ALL made me laugh, okay, I do know managers will have employees clean the parking lot, even dig through trash to grab what little silverware they can.

I also, know they bitch about the loss and cost of each it ALL adds up.Maybe, you can't stop people from stealing.

I thought about this the eight hours I worked tonight how about inventing some sort of trash can that beeps if silverware is dropped in it. Has sensors? /QUOTE]

I don't see the ROI.

How much does a fork cost? 30¢? Why spend more on "Find my Fork" technology?

I'd rather let someone walk out than confront them in front of customers and possibly cause a scene. I certainly wouldn't spend time tracking my lost forks. Are you going to take people to court over at most a couple bucks?

Blackhat, the reported biggest loss is usually in spoons, But I still see your point you may be only saving the business $40 a month I am sure the cost of wasted food thrown away is a lot higher. However; my friend $40 saved for one RESTAURANT over 1 year do the math
what is 40x12 what? around $480.00 in the year.Tell me other restaurants wouldn't think about investing in something like that.

 

[Ronnie Bryan]

I think you're on to something here. Maybe attach a bluetooth device to each piece of silverware and create a custom interface tracking the whereabouts of the item. Or how about a silverware check out system once you enter the restaurant? BYOS?

Nope, for now on I am just going to use plastic.

 

[BigBrianC]

Now if you invent a classier and more durable fork than plastic but just as cheap, you may be on to something

 

[Ronnie Bryan]

Who spends time and money looking for their lost forks? Did you research this at all?

Nope, I live it I know Managers, will have employees dig through garbage and patrol the parking lot for lost silverware and then bitch about loss. 80% of my life has been working as either a cook; dishwasher, or Janitor.

 

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[Ronnie Bryan]

Okay, so they save $480.

How much extra will they spend on the silver wear up front?
How long does the silver wear last in a commercial environment?
How long does it take to get their investment back?
How much do you have to sell it for in order for it to make sense to the restaurant?
How much do you have to manufacture it for in order for it to make sense for you?

You may be able to turn it into a monthly payment by basically financing the cost for the restaurant.
Then you need lots of capital.

Right, very good questions. However; I am not convinced we need a new utensil, gears changed I am focused on this trash can thought.Thinking it offers more value,something that makes an small noise to alert dishwashers' and servers that silverware fell inside the plastic bag as an added safety feature to work with the magnetic lid.Again these questions apply, and I will have to research this more using the blueprint you gave me ,"wade1mil".

 

[Ronnie Bryan]

And here comes the bomb! Someone already acted on this and may have already invented something. So, could something be invented that would be better than this? does the Trash Can Idea fit now? Maybe it is not a good fit. http://www.chron.com/business/article/Invention-aims-to-keep-silverware-out-of-trash-1587753.php

considering, this article was written in 2010, is there still a chance? maybe? or am I barking up the wrong tree?

 

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[Polarbeans]

Or... you can print signs and put up in every restaurant: "this restaurant uses technology to trace missing cutlery" - problem solved

 

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[Sovereign]

Why complicate things?? :/

Sell this as a management saver and benefit on lost silverware then.

I agree this is a management/peoples ethics problem, but how will you motivate people or customers to sort things?
There used to be a thing called Etiquette (social, business, etc) and a thing called duty, and a thing called working ethic…
But they all seem to be dead. Thus we have resorted to solving everything through technology.

Think about recycling. It's common sense to sort your garbage, right?
Then why do municipalities have to enforce it through laws and consequential fines?

Hello, my name's Oscar...and I'm a fork thief...

Why does everybody get hung up on steeling, and not on the forks in the trash?

 

[Maxjohan]

Seems like employee theft is $3-$6 billion a year. And I read another article that it counts for 75% of the thefts. I guess it comes down to 25% thefts from customers. Which would mean more money than what was stated in the article from chron. But I guess, maybe that was what went in the trash? I don't know.

http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1164&context=gradconf_hospitality

 

[Maxjohan]

I don't know but I think nobody would want to go through trash to find a fork. And then this someone will get tired of this and will not wash the hands after digging in the trash. I think I'll pass on this.

Didn't think about the hygiene thing. Big no no. And as you said too. No fun going through the trash. A few holes in the plan with that detector thing I think. And time is always money if you need to dig through the trash.

 

[michalo]

Billion dollar idea? Yeah it's true. I can recognize some similarities to apple, uber, microsoft or even airbnb. Go for it!! If you safe 500 bucs for every restaurant in one year than there are such possibilities. If you sell your product to 500 restaurants than you will get 250.000 Euro oh ge go for it!!

 

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[blackhat]

If you safe 500 bucs for every restaurant in one year than there are such possibilities. If you sell your product to 500 restaurants than you will get 250.000 Euro oh ge go for it!!

That doesn't add up. How does the restaurant saving money = a profit for you?

 

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[MKHB]

Oh man.....I just now caught my breath. That's too funny. ^^

 

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[MKHB]

BUT THEY ARE ONLY A BUCK FOR A FEW OF THEM!!!!

and everyone in the world has like 3 in there drawers.....

and cant remember buying them....

Too True, my wife must of got ours on sale...and again...and again...

 

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[ClaytonAlbright]

"Restaurants in the U.S. spend about $500 million on lost silverware and ramekins — which are the small serving dishes used to hold sauces," Pacheco said. "The first time I heard a restaurant supervisor call it 'the cost of doing business,' I knew I was onto something."

Interesting.

The solution is simple but it would depend on how much they want to invest in it as it may take 20+ years to see a return, although the technolnogy is advancing quickly and since they would need it only for a small amount of items than what other retailers use it for, I'm guessing the cost to implement it would be much lower than this.

Implementation costs can be as low as $15,000 for small vendors, and up to $400,000 for larger vendors, depending on the size and number of facilities, says Joseph Leone, who implemented RFID at Wal-Mart, and is now a consultant with RFID Global Solution Inc., Mount Airy, Md.

The stuff would never make it out the door, so no need to dig through the trash.

http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/going-for-not-so-broke-the-true-cost-of-rfid/

 

[MKHB]

"Oh dear I have no room for pokey things in my drawers because they are filled to the top with dirty magazines"

JK, pickeringmt actually made a good point.

I just saw the pokey stuff a few times at the store and
never bought them, because:

• I have no problem getting my hands dirty
• If it's too hot for my fingers, it's too hot for my mouth
• Toothpicks do the same trick

For me they are useless, but the 3 pokeys I haven't bought you'll
find in another persons kitchen, and the guy behind the pokey
couldn't care less about me

Too Funny!!!

 

[Ronnie Bryan]

Think I've found a genius solution now. It's cheap to produce. And does the work. Without needing any advanced technology. Mind if I steal the market???? I be sure to throw you a bone if I get rich (millions of dollars). Because without this thread. It wouldn't happen. BOOOOOOOOM even better idea. Got damn...... I'm almost amazed at myself. Not to brag or anything. Hehe.

This was started for anyone who could go with it,I just saw a problem where I worked and took steps to solve it. Doesn't matter how it gets solved. I will take any BONE thrown my way but not requiring it.I am just happy to help.

 

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[Ravens_Shadow]

On a serious note about the idea: Silverware doesn't stick to magnets, if its quality stainless steel, its not magnetic.

 

[Maxjohan]

How often is it possible to clear your trash on your own in restaurants in the US?

Or do most just leave everything at their table and walk out? I'm talking fine dining and causal dining.

Happy if someone would answer.

Sorry if it gets a bit off topic and I'm stealing the thread. Just this question though. Thanks.

 

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[Ronnie Bryan]

How often is it possible to clear your trash on your own in restaurants in the US?

Or do most just leave everything at their table and walk out? I'm talking fine dining and causal dining.

All I can speak of is the last 12 months my observations I found maybe 4 pieces of dining utensils mostly knives (2) spoons(1) forks(1) on the parking lot when cleaning it , mostly found silverware inside bags of trash at the end of my shift when we have to dump the trash and just see what we find without much digging what comes to the surface.So, I would have to say majority of people dining just leave their stuff on the table, and it is the carelessness of employees that cost restaurants the most money.

Your question was: How often is it possible to clear your trash on your own in restaurants in the US?

Or do most just leave everything at their table and walk out? I'm talking fine dining and causal dining.

Does, this help answer your question?

 

[Ronnie Bryan]

Thanks for the response. I seriously don't think there is a market for the product I had in mind. Considering also as you said employee theft is the bigger one. It is 75% and customer theft is only 25%.

Also I used Google keyword tool to find out searches on "restaurant theft". Only 40 searches a month.

There seems to be little to no market for this.

Seems like a better market for me. Is to move on to my other idea. With a bigger demand already.

I just much rather deal with a known market right now. Than to try to reinvent the wheel.

Though. Here is a decent article on the subject. That I found while doing re-search on the subject:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/27/dining/27THEF.html

Quite eye opening both from restaurant owners point of view. And in general on what is getting stolen from restaurants. But I guess you already knows this. As you seem to be in the restaurant business.

Nope, I moved to Oklahoma, my only income has been in the dish room I did what I had to do.As far as Business goes I have just ran the books for two tiny businesses Action X Press Printing and Web 8 months in 2010, and Westport Motel 2012-2014 . Other than that , as if it matters=) Is my college degree in business.Sorry, MJ before you, I had slow laners setting examples.

I handled the money deposits, and customer accounts for both businesses. Even added new customers both businesses failed as they were not following rules of the city council something I tried to get them to do, but the owners needed to take action not just me.

I just have spent most of my life as an employee in restaurants.Not sure if it is employee theft as much as negligence.Also,NEVER; NEVER, NEVER reinvent the wheel. Stick to what you know, your doing good with this mindset.

 

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[Ronnie Bryan]

The article was eye opening for sure I had no clue how much was being stolen.