Insights / Operators

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

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 Points Program That Rewards Loyalty

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

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

cost reduction

A Closer Look at ArrowStream and Consolidated Concepts

Attend a recent Market Vision ChainGangMeeting? If so, we’re certain you noticed the abundance of solutions aimed at driving growth for chain operators.  Within the diverse mix of industry leaders present, two prominent Buyers Edge Platform brands stood out: ArrowStream and Consolidated Concepts.  A common theme both brands observed was the prevalent question on everyone’s minds – “How can we reduce costs within the organization?” The concern is widespread, as 98% of operators express worry about labor costs and 97% highlight the challenge of increased food costs. This challenge echoes throughout the industry, and we recognize the urgent need for effective solutions.  The tailored solutions these two Buyers Edge Platform brands bring to the table address the crucial challenge of cost reduction within a foodservice organization.  ArrowStream ArrowStream is a collaborative software solution that improves supply chain efficiency and profitability for foodservice operators, distributors, and manufacturers. Category Spend and Optimization:

what is launchpad

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

benefits of joining buyers edge platform

Benefits of Foodservice Operator Partnering with Buyers Edge Platform

3 Benefits of Joining Buyers Edge Platform Foodservice success hinges on a complex interplay of factors such as sourcing quality ingredients, optimizing costs, enhancing efficiency, and staying ahead of ever-evolving industry trends. One indispensable ally that can help foodservice operators thrive is Buyers Edge Platform. From sourcing ingredients to managing costs, the challenges that foodservice operators experience daily can seem overwhelming. Partnering with Buyers Edge Platform comes with undeniable benefits that can be the catalyst for your success. At Buyers Edge Platform, we’re more than just a group purchasing organization; we are your strategic partner, committed to helping you achieve operational excellence and financial success. In this blog, we’ll explore five key benefits of partnering with Buyers Edge Platform – benefits that can not only transform your bottom line but also provide a solid foundation for growth and innovation.     1) Cost Savings Beyond Compare In an industry where

Technology

Technology Over Tradition: Why Restaurants Should Automate As Much As They Can

In a world of technological marvels such as automated virtual assistants, self-driving vehicles, and drone delivery, why would anyone want to manually run their restaurant the old fashioned way? If you haven’t already, it’s time to adapt to a more digital world and take what once were manual processes and turn them into a more streamlined way of operating. There are many different areas of your restaurant where food service technology can be adopted to make the workload on your staff a lot lighter and easier. From the back-of-house to the front-of-house, technology is the answer to creating a more efficient environment. When candidates see that your restaurant uses different technology solutions throughout the operation, it lets them know you’re prioritizing technology over traditional ways of operating, making things quicker and easier for them. Using technology could make your restaurant stand out from others, be the deciding factor for foodservice