For multi-location service brands, inventory is one of the most important—and most expensive—parts of running a smooth operation. Yet most teams still rely on the same manual habits: eyeballing shelves, reordering everything when it “looks low,” or refilling SKUs back to a static max level.
The result? Too much of what isn’t selling, and not enough of what actually drives revenue.
Inventory forecasting changes that. By using real consumption patterns to predict upcoming product needs, multi-location brands can order exactly what they’ll need—when they’ll need it—and avoid the costly swings of overstocking and stockouts.
Below, we break down why forecasting matters, how it works in MyTime, and what it means for franchise operators aiming to run lean, profitable, and predictable operations.
Inventory forecasting is MyTime’s AI-driven solution leveraging historical usage patterns to predict what products your locations will need in the future. Instead of relying on guesswork or last month’s numbers, forecasting ensures your teams order the right amount of product at the right time.
For multi-location brands, this helps prevent two expensive problems:
(1) excess inventory that ties up cash, and (2) stockouts that interrupt services and reduce revenue.
If your brand has more than a handful of locations, forecasting becomes essential—not optional.
As brands grow, inventory challenges get more complex—not less. Three operational pain points show up again and again:
Overbuying feels safe in the moment, but it’s expensive over time.
Across a large footprint, even small miscalculations add up quickly.
Stockouts are equally costly—but in the opposite direction.
Reputation damage is hard to quantify, but operators feel it.
What works for one location breaks down across 10, 50, or 200.
Manual ordering becomes a patchwork—one that gets more costly every time the brand grows.
Forecasting solves the weaknesses of static min/max rules and manager intuition.
Here’s why:
Forecasting brings structure, speed, and accuracy—three things manual ordering can’t match.
MyTime applies AI-driven forecasting specifically for multi-location service brands, using real consumption data linked to both services and retail sales.
Here’s how it works:
MyTime evaluates usage across multiple windows—30, 60, 90 days, and up to one year when possible. This helps surface:
Forecasts are built on real activity, not assumptions.
Not every product has enough data to produce a reliable forecast.
To keep predictions accurate at scale, MyTime evaluates each SKU’s activity against configurable criteria to determine eligibility for forecasting.
MyTime uses the following eligibility rules to determine which SKUs qualify:
These rules decide which SKUs qualify for forecasting based on available data, protecting teams from inaccurate predictions and keeping forecasts focused on products with meaningful activity.
If a product doesn’t qualify for forecasting, MyTime automatically replenishes it using Max logic—ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Max logic:
Replenishes products up to the franchise-set maximum stock levels, while respecting vendor requirements such as minimum order quantities (MOQs).
MyTime consolidates all recommended quantities into a single draft PO:
No duplicate workflows. No missed items. No switching between modes.
SKU-level charts are surfaced exactly where operators need them during ordering, giving quick access to the data behind each recommendation:
Managers understand not just what to order, but why.
You keep the products that move and reduce the ones that don’t. Margins improve almost immediately.
Lean, data-backed replenishment frees up capital for growth initiatives.
Locations stay prepared for demand—especially seasonal or sudden spikes.
Clients get the same consistent experience across every location.
No more spreadsheets, double-checking shelves, or manual guesswork.
Every location follows the same logic, improving financial performance and trust in the system.
Inventory Forecasting becomes even more powerful when paired with MyTime’s Labor Forecasting. Together, they give franchises a forward-looking view into both product needs and staffing requirements—two of the biggest drivers of operational efficiency.
Combined, they help operators:
This is the foundation of predictive operations—a smarter way to run a multi-location business.
How accurate is inventory forecasting?
MyTime generates highly reliable forecasts for SKUs with sufficient activity. Only products that meet the eligibility rules are forecasted.
What data does MyTime use?
Historical consumption, service volume, seasonality, SKU popularity, and recent velocity—analyzed through AI-driven forecasting models.
What if a SKU doesn’t have enough history?
It automatically uses Max logic for replenishment.
Can managers override recommendations?
Yes. Operators can review and adjust any quantity before submitting the purchase order.
How do Forecast and Max quantities work together?
Both flow into a single, consolidated purchase order.
If your teams are still relying on spreadsheets, min/max rules, or gut feel, you’re leaving margin, cash flow, and consistency on the table. Inventory Forecasting changes that.
MyTime gives multi-location brands a smarter, demand-driven way to order the right products at the right time—reducing cost, protecting revenue, and creating a unified, predictable operational model across every location.
→ Schedule a personalized demo and see inventory forecasting in action.