A Practical Guide to Choosing Food and Beverage Distributors for Foodservice

The kitchen may have the best chef in town. But none of this would matter if the truck did not arrive. Freshness is key. Orders must be correct. Prices need to make sense when written down. This is simply the hard fact of operating restaurants, cafes, or even a catering kitchen. Hence, choosing a supplier is very important. Most operators tend to overlook it initially. This guide keeps things simple. It walks you through what really matters when you compare food and beverage distributors, and it sticks to the basics.

START WITH REACH, NOT PROMISES

It is easy for anyone to give promises of excellent services, but very few can keep up with them daily. So take into account their footprint first. For instance, Jordano’s Foodservice has more than 35 distribution centers and works with more than 3,000 restaurants and foodservice operations per year. That tells a lot about the robustness of their system. When you shortlist foodservice distributors in California, ask how wide their coverage goes. Who is responsible for your region? A partner with genuine influence can keep your shelves stocked even during a hectic week.

WHAT TO ASK BEFORE YOU SIGN

Don't be shy here. Good questions save money later. Keep a short checklist handy:

• Product range. Can they cover grocery, frozen, and dairy in one order?

• Freshness. Do they bring farm-fresh, seasonal food right to your door?

• Hard-to-find items. Can they source organic and speciality products?

• Lead times. Do they hold enough inventory to keep your promises?

• Tech. Do they offer digital tools for ordering and account management?

Answers to these five questions separate the strong food and beverage distributors from the rest. Write them down. Compare them side by side.

HISTORY STILL COUNTS FOR SOMETHING

A long history does not mean simply having good stories to tell. This history is proof that the business has had both lean and fat times. Jordano's was established way back in 1915 when Jordano Brothers' Market was established in Santa Barbara. More than a hundred years of integrity, quality, and customer service. Companies with such long histories are well-versed in fixing things up quickly. Newer food service distributors in California can be great too. Just check their record. Ask for references. Then trust what other operators tell you.

PEOPLE MATTER MORE THAN CATALOGS

There is one thing that customers tend to overlook. One buys not only products but also a business relationship. An ideal salesperson comes to your company. They understand how you operate. They give advice on how to deal with all the issues. It is natural for them to feel your pain. They are ready to share all of your victories. That is how things have to be. Good food and beverage distributors also educate their delivery drivers. Your order is being delivered the way you want it. And friendship goes along with it.

HOW FOOD AND BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTORS HELP YOUR MENU

Your menu is your profit source and hence needs to always be updated and creative. Your supplier should thus assist you with that. You should be able to get the product lines suitable for all categories of customers, whether you are operating a five-star hotel or a community-based café. The leading food service distributors in California will provide you with the freshest fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and other grocery products from all over the globe. They also have organic and speciality items. This is what Jordano's specialises in as a distributor.

BUYING POWER AND FLEXIBILITY

The margins in food service are small. Everyone knows it. So, purchasing power is no longer something optional; it's mandatory for survival. With a larger partner, you can stretch your budget further than you would with a smaller one. But flexibility is equally important. Do they have the ability to react fast to a changed order? Do they have inventory capabilities to allow you to have very short lead times? Food and beverage distributors that know the answers to all these questions are reliable. Jordano's, one of the largest wholesale food distributors in Los Angeles, operates on the Central California Coast thanks to such reliability.

RUN a SHORT TRIAL FIRST

Do not jump into it fully on the very first day. Rather, dip your toes in the waters. Place an order of moderate size and see:

• Was the delivery made on time?

• Were there any shortages or damages to goods?

• Was the produce fresh or did it look tired?

• Was the invoice accurate?

• Would somebody answer your calls?

The test run will show you more than just any sales presentation can. The test run will also reveal how the food service distributors in California act when no one is looking. Conduct the test run again before committing to it.

THINK LONG-TERM

The cycle of business continues. Each season brings its own income streams and challenges. What you require is a partner who will evolve alongside you instead of vanishing when it gets tough. A good food and beverage distributor will provide all the expertise and perspective that your venture requires. This will ensure you make money instead of just sales. Honestly, that's the whole secret. Great food service distributors in California act like partners in your business, and the good ones earn one of the highest customer satisfaction levels in the industry for that very reason.

READY TO PARTNER UP?

For the kind of supplier who takes your success seriously, contact Jordano’s. Whether you’re after produce, frozen goods, dairy products, or anything else, we have everything you could want, along with versatility, increased purchasing power, and one hundred years of experience in the industry. 

Contact us now and let’s begin the conversation.