How to Choose the Right Food Supplier for Your Restaurant

Have you ever placed an order at a restaurant only to be told that the menu items you requested were unavailable? That was most likely the last time you went there.

Owners, general managers, and chefs depend on restaurant food distributors to reliably deliver high-quality ingredients for their menus in order to give consistent service to their guests, whether it’s a small family pizza or a huge industrial kitchen. Even if a small pizzeria has access to locally produced goods, a wholesale specialty distributor’s supplies may be needed to bolster their shelves and refrigerators.

Having a smart wholesale restaurant supply network is crucial for the success of a business. They will do more than execute an order; they’ll work with you to develop unique offerings that will help you stand out. Your distribution representative will also keep you informed about new trends and supplies, offer suggestions and ideas for your product line, and ultimately care as much about the success of your company as you do.

So, How Do You Find a Good Food Distributor?

Establishing connections with suppliers can be difficult if you’ve just opened up your first restaurant. You know you’ll need food and beverages, but you want to be sure you’re receiving the greatest deal possible on the best products. Here’s what to consider to make sure you partner up with a reliable wholesale restaurant supply service that works in your best interest.

Do Some Research

Do you know any restaurants nearby? Don’t be shy and ask them about their distributor experience. Even if you might consider them competition, most restaurants are willing to collaborate and share knowledge and experience.

You can also visit meetings by the local food business associations, go to tradeshows or other networking events. This is often how most restaurant owners get in contact with potential distributors. Another easier way during these times is to simply look for distributor association websites and compare the options.

Consider Local Suppliers

Locating wholesale food providers in your area should always be at the top of your priority list. Locally farmed items are more environmentally friendly and have a shorter trip to your restaurants, so they’ll be fresher than those travelling vast distances through the supply chain. Furthermore, purchasing locally is also purchasing seasonally. Clients love it when you choose the best of the season’s produce for your cuisine.

Consider the Range of Options the Suppliers Offer

Let’s be honest: today’s scarcity economy has pushed us all to our breaking point. Nobody has additional time to drive around food markets each morning hand-picking produce while conversing with farmers, as beautiful as it sounds. This is due to the fact that the whole food-service industry has been experiencing workforce shortages with no apparent remedy in sight. Restaurants tend to buy in bulk to save money and increase their profit margins in these instances.

Nonetheless, most food suppliers will automatically provide your quantity. Having easy access to high-quality variations is now the true value. Purchasing most of your restaurant’s ingredients from a single food wholesaler will save you the time and effort of obtaining them from many sources. More food suppliers mean more procedures, more opportunities for misunderstandings and delays, and ultimately, more fees. It’s preferable to avoid going down that path and instead start with a single food store.

Look for Easy Access to Services

That brings you to the next point of consideration: Are the supplier’s products easy to obtain? Do they, for example, solely take orders over the phone? Or do they have a fully functional online platform where you may place or cancel orders at any time?

The movement toward digitalization has been substantially accelerated by today’s commercial issues. Wholesale food procurement is shifting to the online sphere as a result of automated processes, better reliability, and rapid access.

Review Their Delivery Options

Variety and accessibility are really important. Even if you locate a wholesale food supplier that carries the majority of the items in your inventory, you must pay close attention to their shipping policies. In summary, think about the type, speed, and cost of delivery carefully.

What are the delivery options offered by the supplier?

Do they claim to be on time, or do they have frequent delays? (Keep a watch out for reviews and testimonials from places other than their website!)
What about the costs? Do they offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount?
Are there any purchase minimums or cancellation fees that you should be aware of?
Speak to the wholesale distributors directly or look for answers to these questions on their websites. This can help you better compare the different distributors before making your choice.

To Wrap Up

Distributors are at the forefront of the food industry and can provide you with information on new products, benchmarks, and best practices. When looking for a food supplier for your restaurant, choose one that meets the criteria and offers the products you require to succeed. Begin small, gain as much knowledge as you can and don’t sacrifice quality and freshness for lower prices.