Quick Start

This guide walks you through setting up PlateCost and processing your first invoice.

Prerequisites#

Before you begin, you'll need:

• An active PlateCost account — sign up here (opens in a new tab)
• At least one food distributor invoice (PDF, photo, or email)

Step-by-step setup#

1. Sign in to your dashboard

   Log in at app.platecost.io (opens in a new tab) with the credentials from your welcome email. Your dashboard is where you'll manage invoices, track costs, and configure settings.

2. Add your first vendor

   Navigate to Settings > Vendors and add your primary food distributor. PlateCost supports all major distributors including US Foods, Sysco, Gordon Food Service, Ben E. Keith, and more.

   Info

   You can also skip this step — PlateCost will auto-detect the vendor from your invoice.

3. Upload an invoice

   Go to Invoices > Upload and submit your first invoice. You can:

   • Upload a PDF — drag and drop or click to browse
   • Take a photo — use your phone camera for paper invoices
   • Forward an email — send invoice emails to your unique PlateCost address

   The AI processes your invoice in seconds, extracting every line item, price, quantity, and unit.

4. Review extracted data

   PlateCost shows you the extracted invoice data for review. Check that items, prices, and quantities were captured correctly. You can edit any field if needed.

   Tip

   The AI improves over time — the more invoices you upload from a vendor, the more accurate extraction becomes.

5. Explore your cost dashboard

   Once your invoice is processed, head to the Dashboard to see:

   • Spending by category — proteins, produce, dairy, dry goods, etc.
   • Price trends — how item prices are changing over time
   • Top spend items — your highest-cost ingredients at a glance

What's next?#