?How to choose a supplier
Being on good terms with everyone you work with is a basic concept. So why are we writing a whole article specifically about your relationship with suppliers? Because suppliers are partners in your restaurant. They are the ones who allow you to maintain consistency in your menu and the flavors of your dishes. A good relationship with a supplier is more than just goods arriving on time—it brings you service, promotions, and new products. We've seen lots of vendors and restaurateurs and realized a few things that we feel we should pass on.
How to Choose a Supplier?
It all starts with choosing the right suppliers for you. What you need to know:
Standards Compliance: If the supplier's products don't meet standards, don't buy. It's not a matter of taste, it's a matter of health.
Cost-Effective: Have you ever bought something without ever checking the price somewhere else? The same goes for suppliers. Do your market research, get several quotes, and make the decision that best suits you—just like with everything else.
Payment Convenience: Even if you've found a supplier who has exactly what you need at a price that suits you, consider the payment terms—the day of the month, whether they accept Net 30/60, and the payment method
Timely Delivery: Each supplier has its own delivery days. Is Tuesday your day for couscous? Make sure the supplier can meet your specific schedule.
Communication: It doesn't have to be a service center with a thousand operators and a bot that answers questions, but someone should give you an immediate response to problems you may encounter, from goods that haven't arrived to last-minute requests.
Easy Tracking: Not for spying—you want to be able to easily track orders and delivery times.
Reliability: Even if the supplier is big and well-known, or even if it's one that's just entering the market—talk to business owners and see what they say. Check who is reliable and who is worth working with.
Quality: Ensure the supplier performs quality control on its products so that you always receive high-quality products. This is especially true for fresh produce, where differences in quality directly affect the food's flavor.
How to Work with Suppliers?
Tips for a Successful "Marriage":
Talk about everything: Clearly communicate needs, expectations, and problems—as well as compliments. You can also talk about soccer or family (whichever one is more important to you).
Understand you’re in this together: Each side's success depends on the other. Think about the long term: You can benefit from more products, more dishes on the menu, and maybe even discounts. And the supplier? They benefit from a satisfied customer who can increase the network of restaurants they work with.
Maintain stability: True, stability and the restaurant business don't necessarily go together, but regardless—suppliers aren't like oil that needs to be changed every day. It's a relationship that can last for years.
Use Zestt: Not to toot our own horn, but contact with suppliers is actually one of the things we provide you with. Speedy orders, invoices, and payments.