The Till App: Connecting Restaurants and Community Members to Help Reduce Food Waste

The Problem

108 billion pounds of food worth $161 billion is wasted in the United States every year. Restaurants alone discard at least 22 billion pounds annually — food that could address hunger if repurposed instead of discarded. Meanwhile, methane emissions from decomposing food make this waste an environmental problem as much as an economic one.

The Till App

Till is a mobile application connecting restaurants with surplus food to nearby customers seeking affordable meals. Restaurants post excess inventory at discounted prices; customers browse, order, and pick up using QR codes.

The model creates a triple benefit:

• Restaurants reduce waste and generate revenue from food that would otherwise be thrown away
• Customers access high-quality meals at significantly reduced prices
• Communities benefit from reduced food insecurity and environmental impact

The Research

GroupSolver partnered with Till founder Till Kühn to research user perceptions before launch, surveying 205 respondents on UI/UX, concept appeal, and use cases.

Consumer Reception

• 97% agreed the app helps reduce food waste
• 86% found the concept appealing outright (“This would be amazing”)
• 75% specifically appreciated the discounted pricing model
• Users characterized the app as convenient (85%), helpful (84%), and resourceful (81%)

Logistical Acceptance

• 84% accepted purchasing previously unsold food without hesitation
• 79% would accept a smaller menu selection in exchange for significantly reduced prices
• 82% would pick up orders themselves; 75% would pay a premium delivery fee for savings of 40% or more

Adoption Intent

• 80% indicated they would download and use the app
• 72% reported increased willingness if proceeds benefited a charity
• 92% said they would be “very much more likely” to use it knowing charitable donations were involved

Conclusion

The research gave Till confidence to proceed with refinement and marketing. Respondents didn’t just like the concept — they understood its broader value and were ready to integrate it into their daily behavior. As one respondent put it: “Don’t see any issue with it — why let food go to waste when you can help someone in need.”