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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

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

cracking the egg crisis? buyers edge platform brands can help

Scrambling for Egg Solutions? 6 Ways Buyers Edge Platform Can Help

Are skyrocketing egg prices putting pressure on your food costs? The foodservice industry is no stranger to supply chain challenges. But the current egg crisis is sending shockwaves through restaurant operations, retail, and manufacturing alike. With egg prices projected to increase by another 20% in 2025—currently trading over $7 per dozen for conventional white eggs and nearly $9 per dozen for cage-free eggs—operators must take strategic steps to mitigate financial strain. At Buyers Edge Platform, we equip foodservice businesses with the tools, data, and partnerships needed to navigate these market disruptions efficiently. Understanding Egg Prices: Market Insights & Cost Drivers Egg prices continue to soar, largely due to the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has significantly reduced the U.S. egg-laying hen population. Over 30 million birds have been lost in just 30 days, marking the highest number of cases ever for the virus. The rapid spread

Save Big on Non-Food Supplies with Beyond Broadline Programs

Are hidden costs in your non-food supplies quietly draining your profits? From uniforms to utilities, these overlooked expenses can quickly snowball, eating away at your hard-earned revenue. In an industry where margins are already razor-thin, managing every dollar matters. With food costs soaring by over 20%, it’s not just your ingredients that are affecting your bottom line. Non-food expenses—like cleaning supplies, energy bills, equipment, and more—play a critical role in your overall cost structure. As a foodservice operator, you’re constantly seeking ways to save, and focusing solely on food costs isn’t enough. To truly maximize profitability, you need a strategy that reduces costs across every aspect of your operation. Why Non-Food Supplies Matter More Than You Think To truly gain control of your costs, it’s essential to look beyond the kitchen. Non-food expenses—things like equipment, uniforms, cleaning supplies, and utilities—are often the silent culprits behind shrinking profit margins. These costs

buyers edge platform foodservice technology

Unlock Efficiency and Growth with Buyers Edge Foodservice Technology

The foodservice industry isn’t just fast-paced—it’s fragmented. Operators juggle a growing list of foodservice technology tools that often don’t talk to each other. That means lost visibility, inconsistent data, and missed opportunities to make profitable decisions. At Buyers Edge Platform, we’re changing that. And with so many disconnected tools on the market, navigating the tech landscape can feel like a maze. Data silos, manual processes, and fragmented systems slow you down and hinder valuable insights. Our connected ecosystem of foodservice software solutions brings everything into view—streamlining your operations, driving cost savings, and boosting profitability. Together, ArrowStream, InsideTrack, and Back Office eliminate silos and empower you with smarter, data-driven decision-making. Why Operators Choose Buyers Edge Platform Technology Foodservice operators of all sizes rely on our foodservice technology to simplify operations, uncover savings, and make smarter, data-driven decisions every day. With our ecosystem approach, foodservice operators gain the visibility, efficiency, and profitability

foodservice operators discussing occurrences of tail-end spend within their business

Buyers Edge Platform Solutions to Control Tail-End Spend

While rising food costs grab headlines, don’t overlook the hidden profit drain of tail-end spend in your foodservice business. Have you ever wondered about the silent money drainers lurking in the corners of your operation? Those seemingly inconsequential expenses that, when left unchecked, stealthily nibble away at profit margins. What if we told you that these seemingly trivial expenditures, often dismissed as ‘tail-end spending,’ could hold the key to substantial savings and operational efficiency? Tail end spend can account for up to 20% of a company’s annual expenses, which explains why it’s becoming a major problem. And with three out of four procurement leaders considering tail-end spending a priority inside their business, the urgency to address this issue has never been more apparent. In this blog, we’ll look into the intricacies of tail-end spending, explore its impact on businesses, and unveil strategies to effectively tackle it head-on, ensuring a

PROMPT LIKE A PRO: How ChatGPT Boosts Restaurant Leaders’ Productivity

With the rise of Generative AI, like ChatGPT, restaurant leaders have a powerful tool at their disposal to revolutionize their operations and boost productivity like never before. Understanding ChatGPT Unlike traditional search engines such as Google, ChatGPT offers a more conversational approach to obtaining information and assistance. With its natural language processing capabilities, ChatGPT can understand and respond to full sentences, making it feel like you’re having a conversation with a knowledgeable assistant rather than conducting a search query. Crafting the perfect prompt is key to unlocking ChatGPT’s full potential. By providing context, specifying tasks, and refining prompts, restaurant leaders can harness the power of ChatGPT to streamline their workflows and accomplish tasks more efficiently. How ChatGPT Helps Restaurants Let’s explore how ChatGPT can boost productivity and drive innovation in restaurants. Imagine you are a Chief Operating Officer for an international fried chicken franchise. With the demands of overseeing operations

Buyers Edge Platform Solutions for Foodservice Excellence in 2024

The recent 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry report by the National Restaurant Association paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by foodservice operators today. However, there is hope on the horizon. As forward-thinkers, Buyers Edge Platform understands the pulse of the industry and recognizes the need for innovative solutions to address these challenges head-on. Let’s explore the benefits of leveraging the power of Buyers Edge Platform, which combines our Digital Procurement Network, Fresh Solutions, Supply Chain Management, and SaaS Solutions. With the foodservice industry projected to reach $1 trillion in sales in 2024, staying ahead in the competitive landscape is crucial. Our Digital Procurement Network streamlines the procurement process, providing operators with a centralized platform to source quality supplies and ingredients at competitive prices. By optimizing purchasing efficiency, operators can enhance their profit margins and focus on delivering exceptional culinary experiences to their customers. The projected growth

Saucy Solutions from Buyers Edge – Your Recipe for Pizza Prosperity

As the lingering scent of perfectly baked crusts and savory toppings fades away, one thing remains crystal clear – the International Pizza Expo has left its mark once again! For pizzeria owners and large pizza chains, the expo was more than just an event; it was a gathering of pizza aficionados all seeking to elevate their craft and businesses to new heights. Now that the ovens have cooled and the dough has settled, we’ve been reflecting on the variety of innovations that swept the expo. This year, Buyers Edge Platform is thrilled to have attended and shared our saucy solutions tailored for pizza operators just like you. Let’s revisit our SaaS Solutions, Digital Procurement Network, Fresh Solutions, and Supply Chain Management offerings, and explore how they can help you can reduce costs and elevate your pizzeria to new heights of success. Step into the digital kitchen of success with Buyers

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