# Vellin > Vellin automates restaurant purchasing, inventory, and food cost control — from par-level reorder triggers and AI invoice processing to real-time COGS tracking and vendor catalog management across locations. Public content lives under `/`, `/faq`, `/vendor-portal`, `/kb`, `/blog`, `/features`, `/compare`, `/pricing`, and selected marketing and security pages. Routes under `/app` require authentication and are not public documentation. Last updated: 2026-06-22. ## Start Here - [Home](https://vellinapp.com/): Product overview — value proposition, feature summary, pricing tiers, and demo request. - [Features](https://vellinapp.com/restaurant/features): Full platform overview with deep-dives into inventory, purchasing, vendors, marketplace, analytics, AI, and team. - [Pricing](https://vellinapp.com/pricing): Plan comparison — Free ($0), Starter ($99/mo), Growth ($149/mo), Enterprise ($249/mo) with full feature matrix. - [Book a Demo](https://vellinapp.com/book-demo): Schedule a guided product walkthrough with the Vellin team. - [FAQ](https://vellinapp.com/faq): Answers to common questions about onboarding, inventory, purchasing, vendor portal, and integrations. - [Vendor Portal](https://vellinapp.com/vendor-portal): Supplier-side portal for receiving POs, updating pricing, and managing catalogs. - [Support](https://vellinapp.com/support): Help with setup, billing, troubleshooting, and operational questions. ## Features - [Inventory](https://vellinapp.com/restaurant/features/inventory): Offline counting with automatic low-stock detection. Par levels trigger reorder suggestions that convert directly into draft POs. Waste and expiration monitoring across locations. - [Purchasing](https://vellinapp.com/restaurant/features/purchasing): Auto-generates POs from par levels and past orders. AI extracts invoice line items and prices automatically. Real-time budget gates, approval policies, and recurring order automation. - [Vendors](https://vellinapp.com/restaurant/features/vendors): Centralized catalog with self-service vendor portal. Suppliers manage their own items, pricing, and timelines. RFQ workflows write negotiated prices back into the system. - [Marketplace](https://vellinapp.com/restaurant/features/marketplace): Browse suppliers, compare catalog pricing and ratings, and order from new vendors without leaving the app. Catalog prices auto-sync into your vendor items. - [Analytics](https://vellinapp.com/restaurant/features/analytics): Real-time food cost percentage that updates as you count and receive. COGS by category, vendor price variance monitoring, waste trends, stockout tracking, and actual vs theoretical analysis. - [AI Assistant](https://vellinapp.com/restaurant/features/ai-assistant): Analyzes live inventory, invoice, PO, and waste data in plain language. Generates action plans and executes changes directly — from flagging cost leaks to recommending menu adjustments. - [Team](https://vellinapp.com/restaurant/features/team): Role-based access with granular permission overrides. Multi-location isolation, MFA/passkeys/SSO, and self-service onboarding from org creation to first location. ## Core Workflows - [Getting Started](https://vellinapp.com/kb/getting-started): Day-one setup — organization, location, storages, team invites, first PO, first invoice. - [Vendor Management](https://vellinapp.com/kb/vendor-management): Build vendor profiles, normalize catalogs, set delivery constraints, monitor prices weekly. - [Purchase Orders](https://vellinapp.com/kb/purchase-orders): Draft, approve, send, receive, and reconcile POs with substitution and credit tracking. - [Inventory Management](https://vellinapp.com/kb/inventory-management): Storage setup, count cadence, low-stock alerts, and replenishment-to-PO conversion. - [Reporting & Analytics](https://vellinapp.com/kb/reporting-analytics): Weekly COGS review, waste signals, price movers, and action-to-owner assignment. - [Security & Authentication](https://vellinapp.com/kb/security-authentication): Password standards, MFA enrollment, shared-device policies, monthly access reviews. - [Troubleshooting](https://vellinapp.com/kb/troubleshooting): Triage common blockers across counts, orders, receiving, and system access. - [Multi-Location Management](https://vellinapp.com/kb/multi-location-management): Managing multiple restaurant locations — shared vendors, per-location inventory, and centralized reporting. - [Team Roles & Permissions](https://vellinapp.com/kb/team-roles-permissions): Setting up roles, granular permission overrides, and access control across locations. - [Documents & Invoices](https://vellinapp.com/kb/documents-invoices): Invoice scanning, document processing, and automated line-item extraction. - [Billing & Recovery](https://vellinapp.com/kb/billing-limits-recovery): Plan limits, billing recovery, and account upgrade paths. - [Vendor Portal](https://vellinapp.com/kb/vendor-portal): Supplier-side portal setup, onboarding, and order acceptance workflows. - [Mobile App](https://vellinapp.com/kb/mobile-app): Mobile inventory counting, offline mode, and barcode scanning. - [AI Assistant](https://vellinapp.com/kb/ai-assistant): Natural-language analysis of inventory, costs, and operational data. - [Supplier Marketplace](https://vellinapp.com/kb/supplier-marketplace): Discovering new vendors, comparing pricing, and ordering from the marketplace. - [Team Chat](https://vellinapp.com/kb/team-chat): Shift messaging, team communication, and operational coordination. - [Recipe Costing](https://vellinapp.com/kb/recipe-costing): Recipe cost calculation, food cost percentage tracking, and menu pricing. - [Waste Tracking](https://vellinapp.com/kb/waste-tracking): Food waste monitoring, reduction strategies, and trend analysis. - [Notifications & Alerts](https://vellinapp.com/kb/notifications-alerts): Low-stock alerts, delivery notifications, and operational triggers. - [Data Export](https://vellinapp.com/kb/data-export): Exporting reports, scheduled data exports, and integration feeds. - [Integrations & Webhooks](https://vellinapp.com/kb/integrations-webhooks): Connecting Vellin with POS, accounting, and third-party systems. - [Par Levels](https://vellinapp.com/kb/par-levels): Setting reorder points, managing par-level triggers, and automatic PO generation. - [Price Variance](https://vellinapp.com/kb/price-variance): Tracking vendor price changes, cost variance analysis, and historical trends. ## Vendor Portal Features - [Vendor Portal Features](https://vellinapp.com/vendor-portal/features): Overview of supplier-side capabilities — onboarding, order management, catalog, analytics, integrations, and notifications. - [Onboarding](https://vellinapp.com/vendor-portal/features/onboarding): Guided supplier registration, profile completion, and catalog setup. - [Order Management](https://vellinapp.com/vendor-portal/features/order-management): Receiving, accepting, and fulfilling purchase orders from restaurant clients. - [Catalog](https://vellinapp.com/vendor-portal/features/catalog): Managing product catalog, pricing, availability, and item images. - [Analytics](https://vellinapp.com/vendor-portal/features/analytics): Supplier-side reporting — order volume, revenue trends, and client insights. - [Integrations](https://vellinapp.com/vendor-portal/features/integrations): Webhooks, API access, and third-party system connections for suppliers. - [Notifications](https://vellinapp.com/vendor-portal/features/notifications): Order alerts, delivery reminders, and operational notifications for suppliers. ## Comparisons - [Compare Index](https://vellinapp.com/compare): Side-by-side feature and pricing comparisons with competing platforms. - [Vellin vs MarketMan](https://vellinapp.com/compare/vellin-vs-marketman): Workflow-first purchasing vs established platform with broader integrations. - [Vellin vs MarginEdge](https://vellinapp.com/compare/vellin-vs-marginedge): Operational purchasing workflow vs invoice and accounting-driven system. - [Vellin vs Restaurant365](https://vellinapp.com/compare/vellin-vs-restaurant365): Focused execution tools vs full-suite operating system with accounting. - [Vellin vs xtraCHEF](https://vellinapp.com/compare/vellin-vs-xtrachef): Purchasing workflow structure vs invoice automation and AP workflows. - [Vellin vs Orca Inventory](https://vellinapp.com/compare/vellin-vs-orca-inventory): Workflow-first at $99/mo vs feature-heavy suite with add-on pricing. ## High-value Guides - [Blog Index](https://vellinapp.com/blog): Restaurant operations guides, food cost formulas, and procurement strategy. - [Typical Seafood Restaurant Food Cost Percentage](https://vellinapp.com/blog/seafood-food-cost-percentage): Managing the most volatile ingredient costs in the restaurant industry - [Average Steakhouse Food Cost Percentage Benchmarks](https://vellinapp.com/blog/steakhouse-food-cost-percentage): Why steakhouses run the highest food cost in the industry and how they stay profitable - [What Is a Good Food Cost Percentage for Pizza Restaurants?](https://vellinapp.com/blog/pizza-food-cost-percentage): Why pizza has some of the best margins in the industry and how to keep them that way - [Free Restaurant Food Cost Percentage Calculator](https://vellinapp.com/blog/food-cost-percentage-calculator): Use these simple calculators and tables to find your restaurant's food cost percentage, per-dish cost, and ideal menu price in... - [Average Restaurant Food Cost Percentage by Cuisine Type](https://vellinapp.com/blog/food-cost-percentage-by-cuisine-type): A comprehensive comparison of food cost percentages across every major cuisine type — from Italian and Mexican to Asian, seafoo... - [How to Calculate Food Cost Per Serving (Free Calculator)](https://vellinapp.com/blog/food-cost-per-serving-calculator): How to calculate the cost per serving for any recipe — from simple dishes to complex batch recipes with multiple sub-components. - [Best Food Cost Control Methods for Restaurants](https://vellinapp.com/blog/food-cost-control-methods): The most effective food cost control methods for independent restaurants — from daily practices to monthly systems that keep co... - [The Ultimate Food Cost Control Checklist for Restaurant Managers](https://vellinapp.com/blog/food-cost-control-checklist): A daily, weekly, and monthly checklist for controlling food cost — the habits and checks that keep your numbers on track. - [What Is the FIFO Method in Restaurant Inventory Management?](https://vellinapp.com/blog/fifo-method-restaurant): How the First In, First Out (FIFO) method works in restaurants — why it matters, how to implement it, and how it prevents spoil... - [Restaurant Costing Guide: How to Calculate Food Cost](https://vellinapp.com/blog/costing-for-restaurant): Everything you need to know about restaurant costing — from recipe costing to menu pricing, COGS tracking, and the systems that... - [Typical Catering Food Cost Percentage Benchmarks](https://vellinapp.com/blog/catering-food-cost-percentage): Food cost benchmarks for catering operations — how batch cooking, minimum orders, and event pricing affect your margins. - [What Is the Average Bar Food Cost Percentage?](https://vellinapp.com/blog/bar-food-cost-percentage): Food cost benchmarks for bars and pubs — how to manage food margins when beverages are the primary profit driver. - [What Is a Good Bakery and Café Food Cost Percentage?](https://vellinapp.com/blog/bakery-food-cost-percentage): Food cost benchmarks for bakeries and cafés — why flour-based operations have excellent margins and where the profit pitfalls are. - [What Is the Average Restaurant Food Cost Percentage?](https://vellinapp.com/blog/average-restaurant-food-cost-percentage): What's the average food cost percentage for restaurants? Get industry benchmarks by restaurant type, cuisine, and size — with d... - [AI Automated Invoice Processing for Restaurants](https://vellinapp.com/blog/ai-automated-invoice-processing-for-restaurants): How AI-powered invoice processing works for restaurants, what it saves in time and money, and how to implement it without a big... - [Actual vs Theoretical Food Cost](https://vellinapp.com/blog/how-to-calculate-actual-vs-theoretical-food-cost): Understand the difference between actual and theoretical food cost, how to calculate both, and what the gap between them reveal... - [6 Ways to Keep Food Costs Steady All Year Long](https://vellinapp.com/blog/keep-food-costs-steady-year-round): How restaurants can handle seasonal swings, pricing pressure, and operational drift - [6 Practical Ways to Get More Value From Your Inventory Software](https://vellinapp.com/blog/get-more-from-inventory-software): How to turn a tool into a real operating advantage instead of a digital filing cabinet - [5 Ways to Protect Your Restaurant When Vendors Miss, Delay, or Raise Prices](https://vellinapp.com/blog/protecting-restaurants-from-vendor-problems): A practical supplier-management guide for restaurant owners and chefs - [5 Ways to Keep Restaurant Performance Strong When Business Gets Unpredictable](https://vellinapp.com/blog/performance-during-uncertain-times): How owners can protect cash, service, and team confidence during volatile periods - [5 Scheduling Moves That Help You Stay Fully Staffed Without Overspending](https://vellinapp.com/blog/scheduling-to-avoid-short-staffing): How better scheduling protects service, morale, and labor cost at the same time - [5 Reasons Growing Restaurants Need One System for Inventory, Ordering, and Cost Control](https://vellinapp.com/blog/why-restaurants-need-a-management-system): Why disconnected tools create hidden labor, weak visibility, and avoidable margin loss - [4 Menu Changes That Improve Profit Without Upsetting Regulars](https://vellinapp.com/blog/menu-changes-that-improve-profit): How to strengthen contribution margin while protecting guest trust - [How Food Holidays Can Fill Seats and Raise Average Checks](https://vellinapp.com/blog/food-holiday-marketing-for-restaurants): Seasonal promotion ideas that feel useful for operators, not gimmicky - [10 Restaurant Numbers Owners Should Review Every Week](https://vellinapp.com/blog/restaurant-metrics-every-owner-should-track): A simple scorecard for margin, labor, menu, and operating discipline - [10 Inventory Habits That Lower Food Cost and Keep Kitchens Running Smoothly](https://vellinapp.com/blog/inventory-habits-lower-food-cost): Practical guidance for chefs, managers, and restaurant owners - [Actual vs. Theoretical Food Cost: Understanding Variance Analysis for Restaurants](https://vellinapp.com/blog/actual-vs-theoretical-food-cost): Most restaurant operators know their food cost percentage. Fewer understand why that number is what it is. Actual food cost tel... - [Restaurant Vendor Management: Building a Reliable Supply Chain](https://vellinapp.com/blog/restaurant-vendor-management): Independent restaurants typically work with three to seven vendors, ranging from broadline distributors to specialty suppliers... - [How to Reduce Food Waste in Your Restaurant: A Data-Driven Guide](https://vellinapp.com/blog/reduce-restaurant-food-waste): The U.S. restaurant industry spends approximately $162 billion per year on food that ends up wasted. Full-service restaurants g... - [Manual vs. Automated Restaurant Procurement: A Complete Comparison](https://vellinapp.com/blog/manual-vs-automated-procurement): Every restaurant must purchase ingredients, but the method of procurement varies enormously. Some operators still place orders... - [How to Negotiate Better Prices with Restaurant Food Suppliers](https://vellinapp.com/blog/negotiate-food-supplier-prices): Ingredient costs are the largest controllable expense for most restaurants, typically consuming 28% to 35% of revenue. Even sma... - [PAR Level Inventory: How to Set and Maintain Optimal Stock Levels](https://vellinapp.com/blog/par-level-inventory-guide): Running out of a key ingredient during Saturday dinner service is every chef’s nightmare. Over-ordering that same ingredient an... - [How AI Invoice Scanning Is Transforming Restaurant Back-of-House Operations](https://vellinapp.com/blog/ai-invoice-scanning-restaurants): The average independent restaurant processes hundreds of invoices per month across multiple vendors. Each invoice contains line... - [Restaurant Inventory Management: The Complete Guide for 2026](https://vellinapp.com/blog/restaurant-inventory-management-guide): Inventory is one of the largest expenses a restaurant carries, typically accounting for 28% to 35% of revenue. Yet many operato... - [How to Calculate and Control Restaurant Food Cost Percentage](https://vellinapp.com/blog/restaurant-food-cost-percentage): Food cost percentage is the single most important financial metric for restaurant profitability. It measures how much of every... ## Optional - [Download](https://vellinapp.com/download): Mobile app download. - [Contact](https://vellinapp.com/contact): Contact form and phone. - [Feedback](https://vellinapp.com/feedback): Public feedback submission. - [Status](https://vellinapp.com/status): Platform uptime status. - [Privacy Policy](https://vellinapp.com/privacy): Privacy policy. - [Terms](https://vellinapp.com/terms): Legal terms of service. - [Cookie Policy](https://vellinapp.com/cookies): Cookie usage and controls. - [Licenses](https://vellinapp.com/licenses): Open-source licenses used in the platform. - [Data Request](https://vellinapp.com/data-request): Data subject access request form. - [SMS Opt-In](https://vellinapp.com/sms-opt-in): SMS communication preferences and opt-in. - [Security Audit](https://vellinapp.com/security-audit): Platform security audit details and compliance. - [Security MFA](https://vellinapp.com/security-mfa): Multi-factor authentication security overview. - [Security Retention](https://vellinapp.com/security-retention): Data retention policies and schedules.