Buying Guide: Smallwares

Learn Best Practices From a Smallwares Category Expert

Every breakfast buffet, sit-down meal, and room service delivery in your operation have one thing in common: they’re served with small wares. These small but mighty supplies are used day-in and day-out at your hotel or resort, meaning you want to make sure to order the right ones for your business.

Foodbuy Hospitality leverages the expertise of 600+ supply chain experts, including our Supplies, Equipment, and Services, Category Business Team. Manager of Category Business Management, Jeanette Tillery, shares best practices for purchasing smallwares.

Balance Price With Performance

Do you always aim for the cheapest option? Price isn’t the only thing you should be considering when purchasing smallwares. Since these supplies touch so many guest experiences and are used so often, you need solutions that will withstand heavy use.

“Opting for low-cost items that lack the durability required for operational needs can lead to inefficiencies and higher long-term costs. It’s essential to balance price with performance to ensure products meet company standards,” Tillery shares.

Consider Your Sustainability Goals

Is sustainability a focus area for your business? If so, then you’ll want to make sure your smallwares suppliers are aligned with your goals. Many manufacturers and distributors have their own responsible sourcing goals and initiatives. Having a conversation with your partners about these areas can help you determine which may be best suited to support your sustainable purchasing goals.

Partner With the Proper Teams

Choosing the right suppliers is easier said than done. When determining which smallwares supplier is right for your needs, you’ll want to consider:

• Distributor partnerships
• Product availability
• Material options

Operators who partner with group purchasing organizations like Foodbuy Hospitality can choose from a pre-screened list of partners. They’ll receive recommendations based on their specific needs and leverage existing, optimized contracts.

Consolidate Across Locations

When your locations buy together, you can save on procurement. Many Foodbuy Hospitality Members are focused on streamlining spending across their concepts and locations with the goal of cutting costs while standardizing quality. Tillery notes that she sees operators “focused on improving compliance to enhance visibility and drive cost savings.

The pay off isn’t just in dollars and cents. This practice can strengthen brand standards and ensure every property is using long-lasting, appealing products.

Look Towards the Future

Every operation has unique needs when it comes to purchasing smallwares. However, every operation can also benefit from implementing buying best practices. If you want to strengthen your procurement process, consider partnering with a group purchasing organization like Foodbuy Hospitality.

Our procurement professionals serve as an extension to your procurement team, making purchasing easier and more effective. Fill out our form today to learn more.