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For restaurants

Restaurantsetup guide.

Menus, orders, delivery, packaging, payments, and the little details that keep school lunch running clean.

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Quick Walkthrough

See Orders in Action

What this video covers

See how Buy My Lunch works for restaurants. Evan walks through the dashboard, menu management tools, order forecasting, and automated labeling system. Learn how restaurants can reach a new group of customers, simplify school lunch operations, and turn lunch service into a more predictable, profitable part of the business.

Read transcript

Evan gives a quick overview of how Buy My Lunch works from a restaurant's perspective.

He starts by explaining how the platform connects local restaurants with families ordering lunch at school. From the dashboard, restaurants can see upcoming orders, meal counts, and student information in one organized view.

The system automatically breaks down orders and generates labels for every meal, helping keep deliveries organized by student and classroom.

Evan also shows how easy it is to update menus, add or remove items, and manage offerings throughout the year. Looking ahead at upcoming orders helps restaurants plan staffing and food preparation more efficiently.

The video concludes with what many restaurant partners value most: predictability. With advance ordering, restaurants can reduce waste, simplify operations, and create a more organized and profitable lunch program.

Account setup

First things first. Make it official.

  1. Download the Buy My Lunch app or log in on the website.
  2. Create your account with real contact info, just in case we need to reach you.
  3. Go to Settings Account and add the owner or primary contact.
  4. Press Save. Yes, actually press Save.

This is how we know who to contact when lunch starts moving.

Public profile

Your storefront inside the school.

  1. Go to Settings Public Profile.
  2. Add your restaurant name and details.
  3. Upload your logo. No blurry screenshots.
  4. Choose the delivery days you want to participate.
  5. Set minimum or maximum daily order limits if needed.
  6. Press Save.

A polished profile helps parents trust the order before they tap.

Delivery contact

Who's our go-to?

  1. Go to Settings Delivery Contact.
  2. Add the person responsible for coordinating delivery.
  3. Make sure that person can handle missed or incorrect orders quickly.
  4. Press Save.

One clear point person keeps small issues from becoming lunchroom drama.

Payment profile

Let's make sure you get paid.

  1. Go to Settings Payment Profile.
  2. Add your bank details for ACH payments.
  3. Press Save.

The financial side should be boring. Boring is good here.

Menu creation

This is where the magic happens.

  1. Go to Menu and add each item.
  2. Write a clear description. Kids and parents read these.
  3. Add the price. Use your list price. Your earnings calculate automatically.
  4. Upload a photo. Good lighting wins.

Simple menus sell better because parents can choose fast.

Menu strategy

DON'T JUST BUILD A MENU.
BUILD A ROTATION.

Student favorites are a great start.

But the restaurants that see the most repeat orders usually offer enough variety to keep lunch interesting week after week.

Think beyond usual pizza, nuggets, and fries. The strongest school lunch menus balance comfort foods with lighter options, protein-forward meals, fresh ingredients, and choices for different dietary preferences.

Students get variety. Parents get confidence. Restaurants earn repeat orders.

Portion & pricing

Right size. Right price.

  1. Pre-K through 5th grade: smaller portions, $5 to $6, entree plus one side, no drink.
  2. 6th grade and up, including staff: larger portions, $7 to $9, entree plus one side, no drink.
  3. Serving both groups? Offer both sizes.
  4. Aim for 4 to 6 menu items per day. Example: 3 small, 2 large.
  5. Include portion size in the description. Clarity matters.

Clear sizes prevent complaints and protect your margins.

Food safety & labeling

This part matters. A lot.

  1. List allergens clearly. Dairy, eggs, the works.
  2. Press Save.

Allergen clarity builds trust with families and schools.

Schedule & availability

Align with the school calendar.

  1. Go to Settings Schedule and set your delivery days.
  2. Confirm final dates with the school's master calendar.
  3. Update minimum and maximum meal limits if needed.

Calendar accuracy keeps demand predictable and kitchens sane.

Packaging & labeling

Travel well. Land ready.

  1. Include utensils and condiments when needed.
  2. Salads should include your best-selling dressing.
  3. Put toppings and condiments on the side.
  4. Use durable, heat-safe containers for hot meals. No styrofoam.
  5. Individually package every meal and label it with Buyer ID.
  6. Use provided printable labels or clearly handwrite the Buyer ID.

Good packaging protects the meal, the handoff, and your reputation.

Sustainability

Make food. Not waste.

Too many lunch programs rely on overproduction to make sure nobody goes hungry.

Buy My Lunch works differently. Orders are placed ahead of time, so restaurants know exactly what to prepare.

That means less food waste, less packaging waste, and fewer meals ending up where they don't belong.

No styrofoam. We strongly encourage compostable packaging whenever possible.

Better planning. Better lunch.

Orders & delivery

Smooth in. Smooth out.

  1. Monitor real-time orders in the app.
  2. Review the daily order email sent 24 hours before delivery.
  3. Orders close 24 hours before delivery time.
  4. Use reusable containers when possible.
  5. Press Out for Delivery when the driver leaves.
  6. School confirms delivery in the app.
  7. Address disputes or missing orders with Buy My Lunch quickly. We solve fast.

That's it. You cook.
We handle the rest.

FAQs

Restaurant questions. Straight answers.

How is the school lunch menu created for our restaurant?

Our team collaborates with you to design a menu tailored to your restaurant and the needs of the school. Our goal is to create kid-friendly, staff-approved meals that balance quality, variety, and crowd-pleasing appeal.

How do I receive the orders?

Parents and school staff place orders through our app and we handle payment processing, tech support, and customer service. Daily order reports are generated automatically and available through our online system after 12:00 PM noon the day before delivery.

Who is responsible for delivering the meals?

Our restaurant partners deliver meals directly to the schools. This eliminates the need for third-party services, keeps costs down, and boosts your restaurant's presence in the community.

Can my restaurant update its menu and pricing during the year?

Absolutely. While we request that restaurant partners keep their menu and pricing consistent throughout each ordering period, updates can be made twice a year during winter and summer breaks. This lets customers plan while giving your restaurant room to adjust pricing and offerings to stay profitable.

How can restaurant partners support food sustainability through Buy My Lunch?

As a restaurant partner, you are key to promoting food sustainability. By preparing fresh, pre-ordered meals, you help reduce food waste and use resources efficiently. Sourcing locally when possible and avoiding overproduction further minimizes environmental impact while supporting a greener planet. We will proudly showcase your commitment to sustainability to our customers, so you can feel great about making a positive difference.

How can restaurant partners contribute to sustainable packaging?

We encourage our restaurant partners to choose eco-friendly packaging whenever possible. Sustainable materials reduce environmental impact while keeping meals fresh and convenient for students. Your commitment to greener packaging showcases your restaurant's dedication to sustainability and supports our mission for a healthier planet.