Whether you own a cozy café, you manage a bustling bakery, or you are the procurement head for a top-notch hotel, a reliable and trustworthy wholesale food distributor will surely bring benefits to your business.
Read on and discover how to find the perfect food and beverage supplier for your specific business needs.
Just like in any business, you want suppliers and partners that you can rely on. If you are in the food industry or a field that would require working with food and beverage suppliers on a regular basis, then you know how crucial it is to find the perfect partner.
Aside from making it easier for you to work, finding a dependable distributor for your food and beverage requirements will also ensure excellent quality. This is not just in terms of the products that they provide but also in the services that you will be able to deliver to your customers. Having the freshest and top-quality bread, coffee, meats, and other food and beverage products in your pantry is certainly a boon that will help build your reputation.
From providing wholesale cakes, to sparkling or mineral water, to frozen fruits or meats, your trusty food supplier plays a fundamental role in ensuring that you use only the best products for your customers. How, then, can you make sure to secure the best ally in the food and beverage distribution trade?
Here are five simple tips for finding the right wholesale food distributor for your business:
Before you can go around and look for a wholesale food distributor, you must first know what your specific requirements are. This will help you avoid wasting time, energy, and resources. At the same time, it will help streamline the choices.
If you’re a boulangerie and cafe, for example, then you only need to train your sights on food distribution companies that offer wholesale bread and coffee for sale. It would be a plus if they can also supply other items that you need such as cakes, donuts, or muffins.
If you know what you need, then you will know what to look for.
There might be several food distribution companies within your area. If so, this can be an overwhelming task, especially if these companies are toe to toe with each other.
To help you simplify the selection process, you must get a good grasp of the market. Ask trusted colleagues in the industry about the food distributors that they would recommend. Join professional networks and industry forums or subscribe to industry publications to get the latest buzz and insider information.
You can also attend trade shows, fairs or expos so you can meet and have face-to-face interaction with wholesale food providers. This is an ideal venue where you can ask questions or set an appointment instead of just relying on online information.
Once you have streamlined your choices, check each one’s portfolio. Peruse their menu of food and beverage products. Know what their specialties are.
If you are a food catering service, for example, then you will need a more diverse selection of products to fill your requirements. The same goes if you are running a restaurant or a hotel café. Some food distribution companies may even include non-food products on their list, such as coffee machines.
When choosing a wholesale food supplier, it would serve your best interest if they can also provide complementary services that will help make your business more efficient and productive.
Check if you can order online and have your items delivered. A dependable wholesale food distributor can deliver within 24 hours upon order placement. Of course, there are other factors at play, such as the delivery area or the availability of the products. That is why you should also look at the network where they operate as well as their roster of brand partners.
There are also some food distributors that offer customized food or beverage products that will suit your menu. Others may lend their expertise and industry knowledge on the latest trends, technology, and other important updates related to your industry through their company website or blog.
You’re in the business to gain profits so you should also look at the pricing structure of the wholesale food distributor that you are eyeing. It should be at a range that you are most comfortable with and will not drain your finances.
See if their products and services are appropriately priced. Look at the quality of their offerings. The brands that they carry will also give you an indication of quality and excellence. In addition, factor in the ease and convenience of doing business with them when you are trying to weigh the costs.
What’s more, you can check if they have flexible financing options. Some offer a more competitive price for long-term contracts compared to one-off deals. Figure out how to draft a win-win situation for both parties if you can.
When you have invested time, energy and resources in looking for the perfect wholesale food distributor, then you can look forward to getting the appropriate reward for your efforts. Having a reputable food and beverage distributor as your ally will certainly work to your advantage. From good food to convenient services, you can pass on the benefits that you get to your customers and dish out five-star excellence. Get in touch with us at Bidfood ME today.
