Background and purpose: In Indonesia, food waste is an urgent problem, especially in the informal food sector, such as Warung Tegal or food stall, which has received insufficient attention in waste-reduction initiatives. Despite its high prevalence, research on food waste behavior in this sector remains limited, creating a gap in understanding of how managers, employees, and consumers influence waste generation. This study aims to explore behavior of managers, employees and consumers of Warung Tegal. Methods: This study uses a qualitative phenomenological design with thematic analysis, based on in-depth interviews and field observations with 12 informants, including managers, employees, consumers from three Warung Tegal outlets, as well as environmental activists (FoodCycle Indonesia), the South Jakarta Environment Agency, and A Garbage Collector. Results: The findings suggest that food waste may be influenced by a variety of behavioral factors. It was observed that one in three Warung Tegal had implemented waste sorting, though government support for food waste management was considered inadequate. In addition, awareness programs regarding food waste management have yet to be directed towards Warung Tegal business owners and waste management officers, who play a crucial role in this cycle. Conclusion: Behavioral analysis of the informants indicates that food waste is influenced by various factors, including community access to waste management facilities and support initiatives tailored to the Warung Tegal sector. These findings highlight that Warung Tegal business operators could benefit significantly from support from the government and environmental organizations to raise awareness about the risks of food waste and mitigate this critical issue.