6 Tips on Dealing with Foodservice Distributors
Leveraging relationships with food vendors is the key to success when you need to make sure you have all the ingredients needed to serve your customers. Pay great attention to supplier selection, and work with a variety of local food distributors to increase your availability to ingredients.
Here are some helpful tips for working with suppliers:
1. Find Various Distributors to Cover All of Your Needs
You can definitely work with one main supplier who is able to offer all the needed ingredients, but you should work with few at a time. You don’t want to put your restaurant’s future in the hands of just one food provider.
There are four main types of distributors, and it’s not a bad idea to work with any of them:
- Broadline distributors
- Specialty distributors
- Redistributor
Work with a local food distributor that has been in business for a long time and has a good reputation. But keep other options in mind in the event that your main distributor does go out of business.
2. Ask for Volume Discounts
Goods that you sell most often should be the first that you ask the supplier about. If you’re a high-volume purchaser, you may be able to further negotiate discounts that can save your restaurant more money.
Small, specialty suppliers will not have the same leverage to offer discounts as a broadline food distribution company.
3. Try to Make Friends with Customer Service
A reliable supplier will have customer service agents ready and waiting to provide you with the best service possible. These suppliers may offer dedicated support that will be able to help you:
- Find ingredients
- Find alternative ingredients
- Find niche products
The larger your restaurant, the more willing customer support will be when trying to help you locate different goods.
4. Use Vendors Help to Find Unique Products
Distribution companies can help you source all of your napkins, takeaway boxes and other items. But they can also be helpful when you need unique items for your business.
Food and beverage distributors, for example, may be able to provide you with unique drinks for your patrons. A specialty drink from Mexico would fit well for a Mexican restaurant and adds a whole new appeal to your location.
You can also use these vendors to find other products, such as:
- Eco-friendly options
- Better takeaway options
Reputable suppliers will work with you to offer the best, newest products to your guests. They work diligently on your behalf, ensuring that you have access to the products your guests want most.
5. Make Them Aware of Your Substitutions List
There will be times when you receive substitutions because the item is out of stock. Remember, substitution is an effort to keep you happy.
A way to make your business relationship stronger and ensure no issues is to supply a list of acceptable substitutions. When you supply your list, the company will keep it on file so that you can maintain your restaurant’s reputation for quality ingredients.
6. Monitor Price Increases
Food distributors may be able to guarantee you a certain price for ingredients for a specified period of time. But you also have to keep a close eye on the prices of your invoice. Prices need to be adjusted by the distributor when their suppliers raise their prices. A general rule of thumb is to highlight all of these price increases.
If you have enough volume, you may be able to lock in the price of goods for a 30-day period. When you know the costs of your ingredients and supplies, you’ll be able to better maintain profit margins.
When you don’t keep an eye on rising prices, you may suffer from lower profit margins or have to increase prices for your customers. In both cases, someone is going to be unhappy.
Source: https://mcdonaldpaper.com/blog/how-to-work-with-commercial-food-distributors
