The foodservice market in Chicago is a flourishing, diverse, and fast-paced industry that is constantly growing. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when researching potential companies to work with, especially for small or independent businesses hoping to get a foothold in the city’s competitive restaurant and food distribution services. To help you narrow down Chicago’s many foodservice companies, we’ve created a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that explore topics related to successful and reliable businesses.
Before exploring the FAQs, it’s important to be properly prepared. As a company looking to enter the market, it’s important to first find a reliable source for data when researching potential business partners. Brizo’s customized foodservice market data and analysis can help you gain insight into those companies that are reliable sources for food and restaurant tech. Use this data to gain an understanding of the potential market of partners and help your team perform research and prospecting. Knowing the advanced menu data and technology offered by the major players in the industry is critical.
From there, try answering the following questions to determine if a foodservice company is the right choice for you:
1. What services do they offer?
The services a foodservice company offers are more varied than ever. This includes full service and limited service restaurants, catering services, mobile food vendors, wholesalers, institutional foodservice operations, home meal replacements, and other foodservice outlets. It’s important to understand the specific services that a company provides in order to determine if it’s a right fit for your business.
2. What kind of food is offered?
In order to find a partner that fits the type of food you need, including menu offerings or cuisine type, it’s important to understand the full range of menu items offered. This also includes specific dietary needs and restrictions, e.g. vegan or allergen-free options.
3. What are the business operations like?
Every foodservice company has its own unique operational system, which can involve anything from the acquisition of fresh ingredients to the storage and distribution of products. Knowing and understanding the business operations of a foodservice company can help you make informed decisions on the best service to utilize.
4. What are the prices like?
Price is typically one of the determining factors when it comes to choosing a foodservice company. Understand the overall cost of products and services of a particular company before signing up. Keep in mind that additional fees such as service and delivery charges may also apply.
5. What kind of customer base do they have?
In order to ensure the longevity of a business, it’s important to understand the customer base of your potential partners. As customers are the lifeblood of a business, it’s essential to understand the customer demographics and the reviews they’ve left for the company.
6. Are there any unique add-ons or services?
In addition to the usual services provided, many foodservice companies offer unique add-ons which can be beneficial for business. These can be in the form of event catering, meal plans, novelty food options, custom menu development, and much more.
7. Are there any business affiliations?
The affiliations that a foodservice company has with national or international organizations can be indicative of the quality of their services. Associations such as the National Restaurant Association and the American Culinary Federation provide a wealth of knowledge on the industry as well as a platform for customers to rates services.
Closing Thoughts
With the right research and exploration, any business can find the perfect foodservice partner for their needs. Utilizing our FAQs to understand the companies you are considering and exploring the additional resources of Brizo’s database can give you an edge when choosing the perfect service.
