Whether you’ve got a restaurant that sells coffee or are thinking of opening one, picking where to source your coffee is a vital decision you need to make. Most individuals choose to work with reputable coffee suppliers for restaurants.
Sourcing coffee products that blend smoothly with your quality standards and meet customer needs is important. However, finding the perfect coffee supplier for restaurants is challenging. It isn’t as straightforward as just purchasing the best coffee products that you find out there.
Minimum order quantities, sustainability, pricing, and numerous other factors are key considerations. Let’s find out more about aspects restaurant managers or owners need to consider when looking for a coffee manufacturer or supplier. You’ll also discover one of the leading and top-rated suppliers you can trust.
What Aspects Should Restaurant Owners Consider When Looking for a Good Coffee Supplier?
Wholesale coffee supply can be very beneficial for restaurants. Each restaurant is unique and subsequently has different requirements and customers. As such, it’s advisable to deeply understand your priorities before you can find a supplier.
Start by finding solutions to a number of questions. What is your demand like? What quality level are you after? What prices can you afford? Do you need any training or equipment? And what additional services do you need? Let’s dive deep into key aspects to consider.
Coffee Quality and Product Range
Not all coffee suppliers for restaurants are equal. Each supplier will provide a unique and varying number of roast profiles and coffee products. If you’re after several options on your menu, be sure to make the right decisions. Classic roasters, in most cases, offer darker blends, while third-wave suppliers are likely to provide lighter roasts.
As a restaurant owner or manager, you need to find a supplier that offers a range of coffee products, including decaf, dark, medium, and light roast. Also, you need a supplier who will allow you to access decaf medium roast espresso and dark roast espresso.
Quality is another important factor. Do the coffee products meet your quality requirements? And more importantly, does your supplier’s roasting schedule ensure you will have fresh coffee products when needed most? Quality should be on top of your list.
Pricing
Another key aspect is pricing. And any restaurant owner or manager needs to consider this aspect. It’s near the top of the agenda. In most cases, the price is linked to the quality of the coffee. Better prices usually come with a predetermined-term supply agreement.
But when an agreement is on the table, ensure it features everything you need. Wholesale partnerships and contracts, in most cases, do not only cover roasted coffee supply. They also cover things like:
- Training schedules
- Equipment leasing or pricing terms
- Obligations to exclusively use certain coffee products
- Equipment repair and maintenance
- Drink recipes, and more.
Brand Values: Social Responsibility and Sustainability
The current consumers are socially responsible and more ethically conscious. That means their purchasing habits are massively being driven by social and sustainability impact. Coffee is no exception.
This trend is more prominent among specialty restaurants. If ethical business practices and sustainability are key values for your restaurant business, it makes a lot of sense to find a supplier who sources coffee in an ethical, sustainable way.
Who’s the Best Coffee Provider?
The best coffee provider provides a lasting solution in terms of brand reputation and values. Partner with a company that meets all of your requirements.
This covers everything from training and equipment to quality and delivery. Finlays Out of Home Coffee brand is one of the most reliable coffee providers that restaurant owners can partner with.