Brand Supply Chain Expertise Archives

Supply Chain Insights Every Foodservice Operator Should Be Using (And They’re Free)

In today’s foodservice industry, change is the only constant. Ingredient prices swing without warning, availability shifts week to week, and market trends evolve faster than your last menu update. To keep pace—and stay profitable—you need more than hustle. You need real-time visibility into the supply chain. That’s where the Buyers Edge Platform Foodservice Operator Support Center comes in. This free resource hub was built specifically for foodservice professionals. It puts essential data, market updates, and expert analysis right at your fingertips—so you can make faster, smarter, and more informed decisions every day. What Are Foodservice Supply Chain Insights? Supply chain insights are the data points, trends, and analysis that help operators understand what’s happening behind the scenes of their food and supply purchasing. These insights can include: Commodity price fluctuations Vendor and distribution shifts Seasonality of fresh products Inflation and labor cost trends Consumer behavior and menu demand By staying

A Foodservice Expert’s Takeaways from the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show

If you’ve ever been to the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA), you know it can be a bit of sensory overload. This year was no exception—and as I walked the floor, one thing became clear: innovation is everywhere, but so is the pressure to make the right choice for your operation. From tech to sustainability to booth theatrics that rival Broadway sets, here are some of the top trends that caught my attention—and what they mean for foodservice operators looking to level up. Booth Bragging Rights: From Sauce Taphouses to Shoe Stores Some booths didn’t just show off products—they created full-blown brand worlds. Kraft Heinz built a multi-window restaurant experience where attendees could walk up and order dishes featuring different sauces, all served from their “sauce taphouse.” It was an immersive (and delicious) way to showcase how their products shine across menu applications. Hormel brought the same energy with a

How Buyers Edge Platform Can Help Operators Navigate Tariffs

With a new wave of tariffs taking effect, foodservice operators across the country are faced with a tough decision: raise menu prices or absorb rising costs. Either option creates operational challenges—but the real question is, how can you get ahead of the impact before it hits your bottom line? At Buyers Edge Platform, we believe that cost volatility doesn’t have to dictate your margins. With the right data, supplier relationships, and procurement tools, you can build a smarter, more resilient strategy—even during tariff uncertainty. What Are the New Tariffs—and Who Do They Affect? On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs, including: A 10% baseline tariff on all imported goods, effective April 5, 2025 (White House). Increased “reciprocal” tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% on imports from 57 countries identified as having nonreciprocal or discriminatory trading practices, effective April 9, 2025. For instance, imports

On the Menu: Top 5 Growing Ingredients Operators Should Know About

On the Menu: From the back-of-house to the customer’s plate, growing ingredients can tell us a lot about what’s driving operational decisions and consumer preferences. Whether it’s to reduce prep time, meet flavor expectations, or streamline ordering, smart operators keep a pulse on what’s gaining traction. Based on recent data pulled from Buyers Edge Platform, here are the five growing ingredients that saw the most growth within our member operators at the end of 2024—along with tips on how you can make them work harder in your kitchen. 1. Westminster Oyster Crackers 📈 +16% in Concepts | +7% in Locations These classic crackers are making a comeback—likely thanks to seasonal menus featuring soups, chowders, and bisques. They’re cost-effective, easy to portion, and add to that nostalgic crunch guests crave. This item is a perfect example of growing ingredients being driven by seasonal demand and comfort food trends. How to Use

Buyers Edge Platform Launches Foodservice Rewards – The Only GPO Program That Rewards Loyalty

What if your everyday foodservice purchases could earn you more than just savings? Buyers Edge Platform just made that possible with the launch of Foodservice Rewards—a first-of-its-kind loyalty program integrated directly into our Digital Procurement Network (DPN). This division combines traditional group purchasing organization (GPO) benefits—such as price savings and rebates—with advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and now, loyalty rewards. Foodservice Rewards is the first loyalty program of its kind in the GPO industry. It enhances rebate earnings by offering additional value from participating manufacturers on top of what operators already earn. Loyalty points earned through Foodservice Rewards can be redeemed for items that support restaurant operations or used as employee perks—turning everyday purchasing into meaningful rewards. With Foodservice Rewards, operators can now: Earn points automatically on qualifying purchases—no extra steps required, no reduction in rebates. See and claim valuable and exciting rewards in real time within your Launchpad (our member

How Buyers Edge Platform Can Help Your Restaurant Stay Profitable

With 39% of restaurant operators reporting unprofitability in 2024, it’s clear that food costs, supply chain challenges, and operational inefficiencies are taking a toll. To stay ahead, restaurants need strategic solutions that cut costs, streamline purchasing, and optimize spend management. And with 48% of operators expecting competition to be more this year, standing out through operational efficiency and strategic cost management is more important than ever. That’s where Buyers Edge Platform comes in. Through our four key divisions—Digital Procurement Network, Fresh Solutions, Supply Chain Management, and SaaS Software—we empower restaurants to reduce costs, enhance supply chain resilience, and improve margins on the items they already buy. Here’s how our solutions help maintain your restaurant profitability and navigate today’s industry challenges: Instantly Reduce Costs and Earn Cashback with Our Digital Procurement Network Save big on over 175,000+ food and supply items through strategic supplier partnerships. Cashback rebate programs turn everyday purchases into

What is Launchpad?

Staying ahead of the curve is essential for foodservice success. One of the most powerful tools at a foodservice operator’s disposal is technology-driven insights that offer a deeper understanding of the health of their operation. By leveraging advanced data analytics, real-time monitoring, and intelligent reporting, businesses can gain valuable visibility into every aspect of their foodservice operations. This proactive approach not only enables them to identify inefficiencies, streamline processes, and cut costs but also empowers them to deliver an unparalleled dining experience to their customers. In this rapidly evolving landscape, harnessing technology insights is not just an option; it is becoming a necessity to thrive and flourish in the competitive foodservice market. At Buyers Edge Platform, we’ve been leading the forefront of leveraging technology to help restaurants save time and money. We’ve taken historically dirty food service data and disrupted the industry by applying our AI tech tools to clean

Fuel Your Bottom Line with Effective Food Cost Management Technology

In the high-stakes world of foodservice, where every dollar counts, keeping a tight grip on costs while delivering top-notch quality is the recipe for long-term success. Managing food costs effectively isn’t just important—it’s essential for maximizing profitability. And in a fast-paced industry like ours, there’s little room for inefficiency. With 76% of operators reporting higher food costs in 2023, food cost management can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re relying on manual processes. Human error and outdated methods can lead to unnoticed mistakes that eat into your profits, creating operational inefficiencies that impact your bottom line. Fortunately, technology has stepped in to offer a solution. Back Office Technology: Simplifying Food Cost Management At Buyers Edge Platform, we understand that you need more than just a patchwork of solutions—you need a complete system that integrates seamlessly into your operations. Our Back Office technology steps in as your all-in-one solution, removing the uncertainty from

From Source1: 5 Hotel Trends to Watch for in 2022

2022 is just a few short weeks away and it’s likely there will be an increase in travel in the coming new year, whether it’s for business or leisure. As challenges continue to grow within the supply chain and labor shortages are at an all-time high, it’s important to take advantage of solutions that will help you run a profitable hotel operation. Let’s take a look at 5 hotel trends you should watch for in 2022: Partnering With Supply Chain Experts One trend to adopt in the coming new year is to partner with Supply Chain Management experts, such as Source1. With the unpredictable state of the supply chain, hotel operators are having trouble procuring the necessary supplies to keep their operation up and running – including food and beverage products By leveraging supply chain management experts, you can reduce costs, optimize your purchasing, and ensure you’re getting high-quality products at

From Consolidated Concepts: How to Run an Efficient Restaurant During a Labor Shortage

To run a restaurant operation during the current labor shortage is one thing. Running an efficient one is another. With the continuation of the pandemic and no relief in sight, especially before the holidays, restaurant operators are seeking alternatives to what was once known to them as their traditional, every-day way of running their operation. There’s no doubt that times are changing, and everyone is doing their part to keep up. These changes are fairly easy to make and will not only help you run a more efficient business, but will also put money back in your pocket. Let’s take a look at three different ways Consolidated Concepts experts say you can run an efficient restaurant during the current labor shortage: Technology Can Streamline Processes Technology has played a massive role in restaurant operators lives, especially since the beginning of the pandemic. From QR code menus and mobile ordering to inventory management, there’s nothing technology can’t do to help streamline your operation. One way we encourage restaurant operators to

Insights / Brand Supply Chain Expertise