New manager causes concern among Raising Cane's employees: 'I've never seen it this bad,' says employee

Food waste is an ongoing issue in the restaurant industry, but most establishments attempt to donate, discount, or compost excess food to lessen its environmental impact. One Raising Cane's location seems to have ignored this practice, according to a Reddit user.

On the r/RaisingCanes subreddit, an employee posted a photo showing a bucket filled with chicken destined for the trash. The reason for discarding the chicken is unclear, as it appeared perfectly edible.

"We had a support manager from the mall, and this was her first experience in an actual store," the poster wrote. "Despite being extremely busy, she continued to throw away perfectly fine chicken. She wasted a huge amount, and I have NEVER seen it this bad."

Several commenters expressed shock. One wrote, "Having food waste when you sell just one menu item is wild." Another suggested, "Just add an extra baby tender to each box. These chickens died for us."

Why Food Waste Matters

Globally, food waste is a significant problem. Roughly one-third of all food produced, about 1.3 billion tons per year, is discarded. At the same time, nearly 800 million people experience food insecurity or malnutrition.

Discarded food not only worsens hunger and inequality but also harms the environment by wasting land, water, fertilizer, energy, and labor. Food sent to landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Experts estimate the global food system accounts for about 30% of pollution.

Raising Cane's and Waste Management

The company has not released detailed statistics on food waste but collaborates with local food banks and charities to provide meals for those in need. Industry experts note that Raising Cane's limits waste through a simple menu and standardized procedures. Still, employees have reported that cooked foodsuch as tenders, fries, and toastis often discarded rather than donated or shared internally.

Chicken is prepared in anticipation of orders, and any excess is discarded to avoid food safety risks and liability. Better inventory management and using historical sales data could help reduce waste and save money.

Global Efforts to Reduce Food Waste

Organizations and companies are finding creative ways to repurpose food. In San Francisco, ExtraFood collects surplus food from stores, schools, and gardens, delivering it to people in need. In the UK, Sainsbury's converts unsold, non-donatable food into biofuel.

At home, individuals can minimize waste by composting, which also provides nutrient-rich fertilizer for gardens.

Author: Aiden Foster