Get started: connect AI to your shop

This section is written for shop owners and managers. No code and no API key needed.

Connect your ScanFood account to the AI app you already use, once, then ask about your shop in plain words — “How much did we sell today?” or “Which ingredients are running low?” The AI reads your shop’s data from ScanFood and answers, using the same numbers as the reports in the app.

Technically this channel is called MCP (Model Context Protocol) — an open standard that lets AI apps connect to other systems. You don’t need to know the details; just use the link below.

All three AI apps use the same link:

https://api.scanfood.co/mcp

ScanFood supports 3 AI apps: ChatGPT, Claude and Grok.

Plans and requirements in the table are as announced by each vendor and may change — see each setup page for details.

1. A ScanFood account that signs in with email and password — the same one you use for the ScanFood app or web.
2. A role in the shop, one of:
   • Shop owner — can always connect.
   • Staff granted the “View reports” right by the owner — without it, the shop cannot be selected.
   • Franchise head office (holding the “1.4 Overview” right on the franchise website) or a branch investor linked to branches by head office — sees what the franchise website shows them (details)
3. An account in the AI app on a plan that lets you add your own connections (see the “What you need” column above).

All three work the same way; only the button names differ:

1. Paste https://api.scanfood.co/mcp into the AI app’s “add connector” or “add MCP server” screen.
2. The AI app opens the ScanFood sign-in page — sign in with your email and password.
3. Choose the shops the AI may read — pick several shops, or Whole franchise (branches you gain access to later are included automatically).
4. Check the “What it can read” list, then press Allow.
5. Go back to the chat and start asking.