— Contributed by Heather Moore

Starting my restaurant business was definitely tough. I had a hard time finding the right supplier that can deliver my restaurant’s needs and demands. Not to mention suppliers that actually sell quality kitchen equipment.

So I consulted a friend who has been running her own restaurant in another state for a couple of years now. She gave me a list of things to consider when looking for the right supplier, and I want to share that today:

1. Research

She said I need to take time to research companies as some offer good deals, but do not deliver good customer service. So I have to list down these companies and choose the three best ones. Then I have to look into the companies’ backgrounds by checking their websites, social media pages, and of course, reviews.

2. Inventory

Next, she says to check the range of products and kitchen equipment the companies offer. It is important to find out whether they can provide the equipment I am looking for at the moment, as well as other types of equipment in case I decide to expand my business. 

3. Quality

Next up, I have to check for the quality of the equipment. Since restaurants are bustling businesses, equipment should be of top-quality and can withstand the heavy demands of the kitchen. This is important because it will be difficult to deal with a broken oven during peak hours.

4. Product warranty

She says that I should not forget to check if the company offers a product warranty. Warranties are important because they keep your mind at ease, in case your two-week-old fryer suddenly breaks down.

5. Customer Service

And of course, excellent customer service! In any business-supplier relationship, the two should be able to easily discuss important matters, including issues with the product. If a company has a bad reputation on customer service, stay away from it.

Her list was effective because I was able to pick the restaurant supply store my business needs in less than a week! And the winner is….. Restaurant Smart! Restaurant Smart is an online one-stop-shop for food business needs, and they offer a wide selection of kitchen products. Aside from various types of kitchen equipment, they offer eco-friendly disposable ware too!

If you are starting a food business, I highly recommend Restaurant Smart.