In accordance with the invention, a method for increasing demand for a
perishable item utilizing production capacity planning in a perishable
asset production facility, such as a restaurant situation which allows
for flexibility and production forecastability to determine a necessary
number of new customers to balance demand with production capacity is
provided. The determination is made as a function of raw material, labor
availability, work in process, and food in holding cabinets (inventory)
awaiting purchase. By monitoring this production capacity and the trend
of sales, by utilizing probability theory, and expected sales in a given
time interval necessary demand to optimize sales is predicted. It is then
determined how large a geographical area containing potential customers,
as function of predicted response rates, is to be notified in order for
expected demand to meet expected production. The geographical area
relative to the facility is determined and a message is sent to potential
customers within the geographic area notifying them of the availability
of the perishable items.