Insights Archives

Maximize Your Budget with Group Purchasing Power

Discover how to maximize your budget with group purchasing power. In today’s foodservice world, operators are expected to stretch every dollar further than ever before. Ingredient prices are rising. Packaging costs are unpredictable. And let’s not forget supply chain delays and shifting customer demands. Whether you’re running a single independent restaurant or a multi-unit operation, controlling spend without sacrificing quality is the name of the game. That’s where group purchasing power steps in—and changes everything. What Does “Group Purchasing Power” Mean? Imagine if you are part of a much larger group of foodservice operators that are all trying to get the best prices. When you buy a lot of things with other people, you can receive deals that are usually only available to big businesses. Prices that are better. Better terms in the contract. And you can choose from a wider range of suppliers. The concept behind group purchasing power

Take Advantage of Manufacturer Switch Opportunities

Maybe your napkins are mysteriously backordered, or your gloves have jumped in price again. Sound familiar? Whether you’re operating a restaurant, hotel, or senior living facility, these hiccups can pile up fast—and eat away at your margins. But they don’t have to. That’s where Manufacturer Switch Opportunities from Buyers Edge Platform come in. Instead of scrambling for last-minute substitutions or overpaying just to stay in stock, our platform pinpoints cost-effective, high-quality product alternatives that meet your specs—and often unlock rebate dollars in the process. What Are Manufacturer Switch Opportunities? Manufacturer Switch Opportunities help you replace the products you’re buying today with smart, strategic alternatives from our network of vetted suppliers. From disposable gloves and fryer oil to paper products and cleaning supplies, these swaps are driven by real-time purchasing data, not guesswork. Using our proprietary technology, we match your current purchases to high-performing equivalents that: Maintain or exceed product quality

Regional Sourcing: The Shortcut to Fresher Food and Fewer Headaches

What if regional sourcing could be the key to fresher food, lower costs, and fewer supply chain headaches? Picture this: service starts in forty-five minutes, and you’ve just discovered the shrimp order never made it off the truck. You can improvise or you can tap into a network that fixes the problem before the first ticket prints. That network is a regional supplier program through Buyers Edge Platform, and it’s changing the way smart operators stock their walk-ins. What Is a Regional Supplier Program, Exactly? Think of it as a single doorway to dozens of close-by producers (such as ranches, farms, dairies, and bakeries) already vetted for safety and consistency. You reach out to Buyers Edge Platform and learn which of the many local vendors in your area participate in our program and get connected to the vendors that make sense for your operation. Why Partner with Regional Suppliers? A

Fighting Food Costs with Sustainability: 3 Smart Actions You Can Take This Month

Written by: Christy Cook, Partner, 4xi Global Consulting In today’s food and beverage world—across restaurants, healthcare, hospitality, and campus dining—operators face relentless pressure: rising food costs, labor shortages, and shifting customer expectations. Sustainability might sound like “one more thing,” but done right, it becomes a business tool—one that reduces costs, boosts efficiency, and builds a more resilient brand. Here are three practical, no-fluff actions you can take this month to make sustainability work for your bottom line—without adding complexity or headcount. 1. Cut Food Waste Where It Hurts Most—Your Bottom Line Food waste is the most overlooked—and most obvious—problem to tackle. It’s not just about environmental impact; it’s about money, morale, and performance. Let’s walk through a real example: This isn’t about shortchanging your guests. It’s about aligning portions with what’s actually eaten and enjoyed. “Do you have portion specs? Are your team members trained on them? Are portions being

How to Make Foodservice Rebates Work for You

Are you paying full price on products your competitors are getting cash back for? If you’re not taking advantage of foodservice rebates, you might be. Every day, operators are earning money back on the same ingredients, packaging, and supplies you’re already buying. But without a clear strategy or the right tools in place, it’s easy to miss those opportunities—and that means leaving profit behind. Let’s break down what rebates really are, how they work, and how Buyers Edge Platform can help you start putting that money back where it belongs: in your business. What Are Foodservice Rebates? Foodservice rebates are cash-back incentives offered by manufacturers when operators purchase qualifying products. Unlike discounts that happen upfront, rebates are paid after the purchase, usually once proof of purchase is submitted and verified. For example, let’s say a supplier offers a $2 per case rebate on a specific brand of cheese. If you

Buyers Edge Platform Launches Season Two of Acclaimed Foodservice Podcast “Grounded”

WALTHAM, Mass., July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Buyers Edge Platform, the leading foodservice technology company, is excited to announce the launch of Season Two of its original podcast series, Grounded. Hosted by Lauren Mitchell, Grounded dives deep into the minds of today’s top foodservice leaders—offering insight into how they navigate supply chain strategy, innovation, and leadership in an evolving industry. Launched to strong engagement and acclaim, Grounded has already featured many dynamic interviews with executives from across the foodservice landscape including John Barone (Market Vision), Mark Avery (FAT Brands), Josh Hpy (Salata) and Kevin Quandt (Dutch Bros). Season Two continues that momentum with an impressive lineup of guests, including: Jeff Burrus, VP of Supply Chain, El Pollo Loco Anthony Valletta, CEO, Bartaco Amy Hom, Co-Founder of LEAD and COO, Barcelona Wine Bar Nimesh Patel, VP of Supply Chain, Boston’s Pizza Chris Gannon, CEO of Bolay Joe Gordon, Chief of Technology & Supply Chain, Krispy Krunchy Foods With weekly episodes airing, the new season explores topics ranging from

A Comprehensive Guide to Restaurant Management

Running a restaurant in 2025 isn’t just about great food anymore—it’s a balancing act of cost control, razor-thin margins, labor shortages, sky-high diner expectations, and nonstop technology shifts. Whether you’re overseeing a single neighborhood bistro or a multistate concept, today’s operators wear more hats than ever: supply-chain analyst, marketing strategist, data wonk, culture builder, and—oh yes—host. Navigating that complexity can feel overwhelming, but it also opens the door to unprecedented opportunity. This guide distills the hard-won lessons, missteps, and breakthroughs we’ve observed while supporting thousands of kitchens through the Buyers Edge Platform’s data-driven purchasing and rebate programs. You’ll find practical frameworks, real-world examples, and field-tested tips to help you master the ten pillars of modern restaurant management—from inventory to guest loyalty—while sidestepping common pitfalls that drain profit. Use it as a roadmap, a refresher, or a sanity check whenever the daily grind starts to blur the bigger picture. Ready to

Supply Chain Insights Every Foodservice Operator Should Use

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

52 Ways to Unlock Foodservice Value with Buyers Edge Platform

Rising costs, labor issues, and changing expectations are putting more pressure on operators to do more with less. That’s why uncovering true foodservice value isn’t just helpful—it’s essential to staying competitive and profitable. For example, 95% of restaurants said food costs were a significant issue, 96% cited labor costs, and 79% struggled to attract new customers. The numbers are clear: operators are searching for smarter, more sustainable ways to run their business. That’s where Buyers Edge Platform comes in. Buyers Edge Platform helps operators unlock foodservice value across purchasing, supply chain, accounting, and analytics through a digital procurement network. Whether you’re battling rising prices or juggling multiple locations, our solutions help you reduce costs, improve efficiency, and fuel growth. With Buyers Edge Platform, you gain access to a comprehensive suite of tools and services designed to simplify your operations and maximize profitability. Specifically, these include: Digital Procurement Network Fresh Solutions

What Is Real ROI of Tip Management Software and How Does It Save Time?

If your managers are still spending hours a week buried in spreadsheets, double-checking calculations, or troubleshooting tip disputes, it’s time to rethink your approach to tip management. Manual tip processes are not only time-consuming and error-prone, they also carry significant compliance risks and often lead to inconsistent payouts that frustrate staff. In a labor market where retention and efficiency matter more than ever, automating your tip distribution isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a strategic business decision. And while many restaurants view automation as a future goal, the reality is this: the ROI of tip management software is already here, and it’s measurable. Let’s dive into how the right tool such as fully automated tip management software created by our partners at TipHaus, can save time, reduce risk, and build a more motivated team, and why restaurants of all sizes are seeing big returns by making the switch. Say Goodbye to

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