How To Choose A Food Supplier For Your Restaurant
One of the challenges you face in your restaurant is choosing a reliable supplier; the prestige of your menu depends largely on the ingredients you choose, and you should always take special care with reliability, price and immediate availability.
You can find an infinite number of suppliers ranging from gourmet meat suppliers to wholesale pickles suppliers, but not all supplies have the same quality that can meet the particular needs of your business, so you need to choose those that best suit you.
Having a reliable supplier allows you to have control over production costs, and at the same time help maintain operational efficiency for a positive impact on profitability and optimization of both material and human resources in your company.
Choosing a good supplier can make your business grow and at the same time create a business relationship based on a win-win, so any supplier should be committed to providing good service to you.
But, what should be the criteria that you take into account when choosing suppliers?
In case you are a new restaurant entrepreneur, understanding the importance of a good choice will be the key to the prestige and profitability of your company.
Product quality
A good supplier knows your restaurant well, so they will carefully select the products that they know will fit perfectly with the quality of your menu. It is useless if you have your shelves full of low-quality supplies – but offer fine dining. Remember that every perfect dish deserves quality raw ingredients to cook it.
Good reputation
As we know, the restaurant industry is very large, and everyone knows each other. So take into account the criteria or opinions of other colleagues regarding the reputation of certain suppliers that you have in mind and lean towards those who have a good reputation.
Do they have good image management? Or does the supplier come dirty and deliver the merchandise in a messy and haphazard way.
Take into account that suppliers will be associated with your restaurant, or sometimes they will have to enter through the dining area when there are customers or be in contact with your kitchen team.
Take care that everything helps bolster the reputation of your business.
Certifications
Although it may not seem important, you really should verify that your selected supplier has quality certificates. Remember that this sector is very delicate and you need everything to be endorsed by the health authorities of your city, to ensure perfect quality, handling and delivery of the products. The supplier should be up to date with food safety regulations essential for you and your customers.
Competitive prices are associated with quality
A good supplier will normally commit to quality standards with respect to its average price. This will be more profitable for you in the long term and will give you the peace of mind of producing safe food.
Lower prices than normal will always be related to low quality and questionable safety. Poor quality can lead to greater waste, shorter shelf life, degradation of properties due to cutting in the cold chain, lack of hygiene and poor handling, among many other problems.
Cheap is expensive, so we recommend not taking risks.
Delivery times and availability
Make sure that the supplier knows the needs of your restaurant, requirements, delivery times on normal days, high season and weekends. They must have the availability to adapt to you.
Will they be effective and a decisive provider in terms of unforeseen events or setbacks? A quick solution to unexpected complications is always appreciated and increases trust and loyalty in a supplier.
Payment conditions
Negotiating a good price agreement is important. There should be no unjustified price variation from one day to the next. You need to use your negotiation skills with the provider and achieve the ideal payment conditions that fit your weekly budget and the liquidity of your company.
A good supplier can be the difference between an average restaurant and one with an excellent gastronomic reputation. Having the best raw ingredients from a reliable distributor, which has a vast selection in its portfolio of products, will always be the best source of inspiration in your kitchen. From there, your staff can prepare delicious dishes that will increase the flow of customers, and boost your business.
Don’t underestimate the importance of quality, freshness and reliability, which is why you must be careful about choosing a supplier. Look for the ideal partner that can meet your needs, will make your business grow, and improve the experience of your customers.
