Smaller Portions, Bigger Impact: How Portion Control Equipment Helps Restaurants Adapt to New Dining Trends

Summary

Nearly 50% of adults now order kids’ meals, citing value, portion size, and simplicity. This shift in dining behavior creates new challenges for restaurants—but also new opportunities. With portion control equipment from trusted brands like Tablecraft, Dexter-Russell, Edlund, Cambro, Vollrath, and Victorinox, Aldevra helps operators deliver consistent, cost-effective meals that align with customer expectations.

The Trend: Adults Ordering Kids’ Meals

According to a recent survey reported by MarketWatch, nearly half of adults in the U.S. have ordered a children’s meal at a restaurant. Why? Smaller portion sizes, simpler menus, and lower prices. For many diners, especially in an era of rising costs and health-conscious choices, the kids’ menu just makes sense.

This trend has significant implications for restaurants. Smaller portions can mean tighter margins, more precise prep, and a need for consistency across every plate. For operators, the challenge is clear: how do you maintain profitability while offering smaller, lower-priced meals?

The Solution: Portion Control Equipment

That’s where the right tools come in. Portion control equipment ensures every serving is consistent, cost-effective, and appealing—without burdening staff with guesswork.

Here’s how some of Aldevra’s partner brands support portion management:

1. Tablecraft Products Company – Color-coded ladles, spoodles, and scoops make it easy to portion exact serving sizes (1 oz, 2 oz, etc.) for sides, soups, or entrées.
2. Dexter-Russell – Precision knives and slicers help chefs portion proteins and produce consistently, reducing waste and ensuring every plate looks the same.
3. Edlund Company – Industry-leading portion scales (digital and mechanical) keep ingredient costs under control and support accurate prep for smaller meals.
4. Cambro – Food storage containers with built-in measurement markings streamline batch prep and ensure consistency in kitchens offering reduced-portion items.
5. Vollrath Company – Ergonomic dishers and spoodles allow for fast, consistent serving, particularly in cafeterias, schools, and quick-service restaurants adapting to portion-conscious diners.
6. Victorinox Swiss Army – High-quality knives and prep tools support precision cutting and portioning, helping operators deliver uniform meal sizes while minimizing waste.
   

How to Decide Which Portion Control Tools Your Operation Needs

When choosing the right portion control tools, consider these factors:

1. Menu Type
2. Do you serve plated meals, buffet-style, or grab-and-go?
3. Recommendation: Plated service benefits from spoodles and dishers (Tablecraft, Vollrath). Buffets benefit from pre-measured ladles (Tablecraft). Grab-and-go requires scales and storage containers (Edlund, Cambro).
4. Protein Heavy vs. Side Heavy Menus
5. Proteins are the costliest items to over-portion.
6. Recommendation: Use Dexter-Russell knives and Edlund scales for precise meat cuts and weighing. For sides, use Tablecraft or Vollrath scoops for consistency.
7. Speed of Service
8. High-volume quick-service restaurants need fast, repeatable tools.
9. Recommendation: Invest in color-coded spoodles, scoops, and dishers from Tablecraft or Vollrath that staff can use quickly with no second guessing.
10. Waste Reduction Goals
11. Are you focused on cutting down food waste or better cost control?
12. Recommendation: Edlund digital scales ensure ingredients aren’t over-portioned. Cambro storage containers with clear measurement markings help track prep quantities.
13. Staff Training & Ease of Use
14. New staff need simple tools to deliver consistent results.
15. Recommendation: Choose color-coded, ergonomic utensils (Tablecraft, Vollrath) for intuitive training and faster adoption.
16. Budget & Replacement Rates
17. Some tools last years, others need periodic replacement.
18. Recommendation: Consider durable Victorinox knives for long-term investment, and budget-friendly Thunder Group or Winco scoops for high-turnover operations.
    

📌 Quick Checklist: Portion Control Tools Every Operator Should Consider

1. ✔️ Spoodles/Dishers – For consistent serving sizes.
2. ✔️ Scales – For precise weighing of proteins and ingredients.
3. ✔️ Knives & Slicers – For uniform cuts and presentation.
4. ✔️ Storage Containers with Markings – For batch prep and portion tracking.
5. ✔️ Color-Coded Utensils – For quick staff training and reduced errors.
   

Why It Matters for Operators

The rise in adults ordering kids’ meals isn’t just a quirky trend—it’s a signal that diners want value, balance, and right-sized options. Restaurants that adapt by controlling portions can:

1. Manage food costs more effectively.
2. Reduce waste in the kitchen.
3. Deliver consistency across every plate.
4. Build customer loyalty by meeting changing expectations.

In an industry where margins are tight, small tools can make a big impact. Portion control equipment not only helps operators meet today’s trends but also builds resilience for whatever comes next.

👉 At Aldevra, we supply more than just equipment—we supply solutions. Explore our portion control offerings from Tablecraft, Dexter-Russell, Edlund, Cambro, Vollrath, and Victorinox to see how the right tools can help your kitchen adapt to the future of dining.

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