When expanding or opening a foodservice franchise, one of the most important decisions a franchisor has to make is finding the right supplier of beverages. But beyond that, customizing that beverage supplier for optimal purchase and distribution can be complex. With Brizo’s growing market intelligence and ability to drill down into the data, it’s becoming easier for franchisors to make informed decisions on the right beverage suppliers, as well as the right customization for their franchise. Here are 10 key things to consider when customizing a beverage supplier for optimal purchase and distribution.
1. Price: Obviously the main factor in any purchase decision is price. It’s important to find a supplier who is willing to match or beat the price of other suppliers. Also, look into whether or not they offer discounts for bulk orders.
2. Shipping: One of the most crucial considerations for a foodservice franchise is in the way the beverages are shipped. Does the supplier offer efficient, timely and reliable shipping options? Do they support tracking and insurance on orders?
3. Variety: A franchisor needs to have access to a wide variety of beverages that appeal to the franchise’s target demographic. Look into the selection offered by potential suppliers and determine the level of customization available.
4. Quality: The beverages must be of a consistent, high quality. Does the supplier have a rigorous quality assurance process in place to ensure quality?
5. Food Service Insight: With the right data-driven insights and analytics, franchisors can better understand the local market for their franchise and make more informed decisions. Brizo provides in-depth menu data and restaurant tech coverage, allowing for highly targeted research and prospecting of the foodservice market with unique data fields specific to the food service industry.
6. Automation: Look into what level of automation the supplier offers in terms of ordering, billing, tracking, and inventory. A modern supplier should offer all of these services and more with minimal effort to streamline operations and save time and money.
7. Unique Products: Does the supplier offer anything unique or special? Perhaps some unique ingredients for some of the beverage flavors or availability of seasonal products.
8. Support: The supplier must provide timely and efficient customer support when it comes to orders, billing, tracking, and inventory.
9. Expansion: When looking for a beverage supplier, look for one that you can grow with. Even if your franchise isn’t looking to expand its scope or services right now, it’s important to consider the possibility of doing so in the future.
10. Partnership: It’s important that the supplier and franchisor work together as partners and have open communication and shared strategies. This can help both parties maximize their potential and success together.
Making the right decisions about customizing a beverage supplier can be a daunting task but with sufficient data and market intelligence, it can be made easier and more informed. By considering all of the options and factors above, franchisors can ultimately choose the right supplier and customize it for optimal purchasing and distribution.
