Managing food supply is one of the most challenging aspects of the restaurant business. Not so long ago, consumers cared only about one thing when they went to a restaurant: the food coming on their plates. But recently, as people’s awareness of what they eat has increased, another factor has entered the picture: food sourcing, meaning restaurant-goers are more interested than ever in the origins and quality of their food.
From wholesale retailers to local farms, restaurant food suppliers are traders who sell goods directly to restaurants. Their main objective is to enable lower-cost purchases so that restaurants can increase their profit.
What to consider when choosing suppliers? You should be aware that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when selecting the appropriate vendor for your restaurant. There are times when you may need a team of vendors to keep the supply flowing. The type of food you serve, your sales, size, and storage facilities will all significantly impact your supply strategy.
How Do Food Suppliers Work?
There are various food suppliers, meaning no two food manufacturers work the same. For example, if you’re an owner of a Sydney-based restaurant, you can search for food manufacturers Sydney round for utmost reliability and quality. The vendors you’ll come across may offer different supply services. Small retailers or local farmers source their products from their own crops, while full-line large enterprise systems might have different sources, but they offer regular delivery.
A restaurant typically needs to work with multiple suppliers. For instance, you could decide to buy your vegetables at a farmer’s market and your bread from a nearby bakery. You can also order beer and wine supplies from a national distributor. Additionally, there are vendors where you can purchase specialty foods like rare mushrooms. In either case, you should purchase your goods – both perishables and non-perishables – at low costs to increase your profit margin.
How to Choose Your Restaurant Suppliers?
Consider Local
Local products refer to food, beverages and other agricultural products produced around the area where consumers buy them. If you’re Sydney-based, buying local means purchasing products grown and sold by food manufacturers Sydney and the region around Sydney. Here are the most important reasons why you should buy your products locally:
- Support your local economy. Supporting small businesses in your community helps money stay in your locale.
- Get fresher ingredients. Using fresh ingredients leads to serving more quality food that’s healthier, tastier and more appealing to your customers.
- Keep up with trends. Using locally-sourced products has been trending lately. By following this trend, you can help improve your brand’s image. Promoting it through social media can be a huge marketing and selling point.
- Order seasonal. Ordering seasonal ingredients allows you to create seasonal dishes – a great way to spice up your menu.
- Build a network of trusted suppliers.
Check the Pricing
Before purchasing anything, one must take costs into account. Before choosing a specific brand of ingredients or equipment, consider the prices of various suppliers.
It would be beneficial if you did your research and learned more about the supplies and machinery they provide. That way, you can understand the market better, aiding your decision-making.
Check the brand’s pricing online or get in touch with them to ask if they can break it down for you. If you choose specific restaurant suppliers, ensure their reporting is clear and accurate. Although not all vendors offer returns, it would be wise to find out.
Ask for Recommendations
Reputation is an important aspect to consider when selecting a restaurant supplier. Ask for recommendations for food suppliers from chefs, restaurant owners, and other professionals in the field.
Asking around is still one of the best ways to find suitable restaurant suppliers, so don’t be shy about doing it. Review websites can be helpful too, because previous clients may have already shared their experiences with various suppliers. Requesting recommendations could lead you to reputable vendors.
Consider Delivery Speed
Deliveries must arrive on time to keep the ingredients fresh. Try learning what days of the week your suppliers deliver their goods and when they can deliver your supplies to your door.
With this information, you can plan your menu according to the times of delivery schedules for each day. When you also offer food delivery services, it’s even more important to consider inventory delivery because the ingredients must travel twice.
How far away are your restaurant’s suppliers? Always choose vendors who can deliver quickly and keep you informed about the whereabouts of your supplies. It will guarantee that your kitchen shelves won’t be left empty.
Likewise, take packaging into account. Will there be a lot of packaging for your product, which will be too much for you to handle? Consult with your suppliers to ensure the products arrive in good condition and without excessive or potentially harmful packaging.
You could also look for vendors using eco-friendly packaging to ensure less waste.
Go Online
Due to their extensive list of duties, many restaurant managers find the ordering of supplies to be extremely overwhelming. Try the convenience of free services or online platforms if you want to avoid spending your whole day making calls, sending texts, and sending emails to various suppliers daily. By going online, you can place your entire order from any supplier you choose, either all at once or one at a time.
Such websites allow for one-stop ordering and provide a digital pantry list that makes it easy to see what you’ve ordered. It entails both time and financial savings. Find the best online service for you to manage your food supplies easier. You can register for free and place orders from the top food distributors in Sydney and Australia-wide.