Question 1

What is Save&Serve?

Accepted Answer

Save&Serve is a Berlin-based food surplus marketplace that connects shoppers with local bakeries, cafés, kiosks, Spätis and small restaurants selling surplus food at up to 70% off. Unlike mystery-bag apps, every listing shows the actual item, a real photo, and a transparent price — so you always know exactly what you are buying and where to pick it up.

Question 2

How is Save&Serve different from Too Good To Go?

Accepted Answer

Three big differences. (1) You see the actual item — real photo, real name, real price — instead of a mystery Surprise Bag. (2) Save&Serve charges retailers 0% commission, so independent shops keep 100% of their listing price; the small platform fee is paid by the consumer at checkout. (3) Save&Serve is built specifically for Berlin, with district filtering (Neukölln, Wedding, Kreuzberg, Mitte, Friedrichshain, Charlottenburg) and built-in German compliance tools for retailers. Too Good To Go is broader globally; Save&Serve is local, transparent, and retailer-fair.

Question 3

Do I get to choose what I buy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every listing on Save&Serve is item-level — a specific bundle of bread, a tray of pastries, a sandwich box, a produce bag — with photos and a description posted by the retailer. No mystery, no surprises. You pick exactly what you want from the shops near you.

Question 4

How much can I save?

Accepted Answer

Most listings are discounted 50–70% off the original retail price. A 6€ bread bundle typically sells for 2–3€, and a tray of pastries that would cost 8€ at the counter often lists at 2.50–3.50€. The exact discount is set by each retailer based on how close the food is to its sell-by window.

Question 5

Is Save&Serve free for consumers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Creating an account, browsing listings, following shops, and using the app are completely free. You only pay for what you order — the listing price plus a small transparent platform fee shown at checkout.

Question 6

Which shops are on Save&Serve?

Accepted Answer

Independent Berlin food businesses: neighborhood bakeries, specialty cafés, kiosks, Spätis, small grocery stores, and family-run restaurants. Save&Serve focuses on the local, independent retailers who care about reducing waste and connecting directly with their community — not chains.

Question 7

Is Save&Serve only in Berlin?

Accepted Answer

Right now, yes. Save&Serve launched in Berlin and is focused on building deep coverage across all major districts before expanding. Next cities planned for rollout are other major German metros, with Europe-wide expansion on the roadmap.

Question 8

Is there an app?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Save&Serve is available as a mobile app on iOS and Android, and also works as a full progressive web app at saveserve.app — no download required. Push notifications alert you when a favorite shop posts a new listing.

Question 9

How does Save&Serve work for retailers?

Accepted Answer

Snap a photo of your surplus item on your phone, our AI suggests a title and category, you set a price and pickup window, and the listing is live in under a minute. Shoppers nearby browse, reserve, and pay through the app. They pick up at your shop, you confirm with a 6-digit code, and the payout lands in your German bank account daily via SEPA. Onboarding takes less than 10 minutes and includes Steuernummer and Gewerbeschein verification.

Question 10

Does Save&Serve take a commission?

Accepted Answer

No. Save&Serve charges 0% commission on retailer surplus sales — ever. You list a bundle at 2.50€ and you receive the full 2.50€. The small platform fee is paid by the consumer at checkout, fully transparent, and never deducted from your payout. There is no setup fee, no monthly minimum, and no commission. Optional Premium tools (advanced compliance exports, pay-at-store, loyalty programs) are available as an add-on, but the core marketplace is free for retailers permanently.

Question 11

How do I list my surplus food?

Accepted Answer

Three ways. (1) Web dashboard at saveserve.app/retailers — take a photo, AI fills in the details, you confirm. (2) Mobile app — same workflow, optimized for in-shop use. (3) WhatsApp onboarding — message our number in English, German, Turkish, or Arabic and our chatbot walks you through creating your shop and first listing. Most retailers post their first listing within 10 minutes.

Question 12

What is the compliance reporting feature?

Accepted Answer

Germany's Gewerbeabfallverordnung (GewAbfV) and §11 KrWG require food businesses to document how surplus is handled — rescued, donated, or disposed — with weight, category, and EWC waste codes. Save&Serve generates this paperwork automatically. Every listing's outcome is logged with weight, EWC code, CO₂e avoided, and timestamp. Download signed monthly PDF reports directly from your dashboard and hand them to your Steuerberater or any inspector. Premium plans include 5-year audit history retention. No other surplus app in Germany offers this.

Title

For Consumers