Foodservice operators are remarkably resilient. Whether navigating a global pandemic, ingredient shortages, tariff uncertainties, or labor challenges, they continually adapt and overcome. As a foodservice manufacturer, there’s a real opportunity to garner their loyalty by going beyond providing great products to help them navigate their challenges. Here are a few ways you can help them thrive.
1. Provide Remedies for Ingredient Challenges
The price of one key item can cause ripples throughout the supply chain, and predicting those fluctuations is extremely difficult. A current example is the price and availability of eggs. Now would be the ideal time for manufacturers of add-water-only mixes to step in and heavily market their advantages. Or if there are egg-alternate usages for an existing product, its time to shine is certainly here. Being attuned to marketplace variations with strategies in place to deliver when the timing is right helps both manufacturers and operators overcome challenges.
2. Technical and Recipe Support
Yes, foodservice operators — and especially chefs — are masters at creating amazing menus. But that doesn’t mean they’re not open to ideas and suggestions from their manufacturer partners. Even if they don’t use a suggested recipe to the very last detail, they can still find useful inspiration in it. And technical support such as troubleshooting is always helpful to reduce waste and increase efficiencies.
3. Creative Solutions
Thinking outside the box and providing unique ideas can definitely help operators weather stormy times. One of our longstanding clients created a “stales to sales” initiative that showed foodservice establishments how to turn their day-old baked goods into versatile, profitable menu items. Picture a croissant transformed into a deliciously flaky French toast. Ideas like these are always welcome no matter what’s happening in the industry.
4. Marketing Help for Current Events
We’ve already seen many instances of policy changes and other headlines that directly affect foodservice costs. Helping operators, especially smaller ones, communicate necessary menu price adjustments can go a long way. Sharing your PR prowess with those who don’t have access or time for that kind of strategy demonstrates your understanding and valuable partnership.
At the end of the day, foodservice operators don’t just need products, they need partners who understand the challenges they face and are willing to step up with real, practical support that goes beyond costs. By sharing knowledge, offering creative ideas, and providing tools that drive efficiency and value, manufacturers can help them make it through tough times stronger than before. Drop us a line to discuss how we might be able to help you serve operators better.
