How I use Restaurant Depot

Good afternoon all.

I know times are tough, and thought I'd share an exercise that I went through a few months ago that was tedious, but worthwhile.  I am fortunate enough to be operating in an area that is served by several foodservice distributors.  There is also a Restaurant Depot fairly close to my location (5 minute drive), which is super convenient for those times when I have to pick something up on short notice.

But there is another benefit to having that Restaurant Depot close by.  I am able to keep my eyes on their pricing of items that I am currently getting delivered by my foodservice distributors.  Their prices tend to float upward (sometimes for no apparent reason).  While it's difficult to keep an eye on all of the prices of all of the items (we have a business to run afterall), I do think it's worth planning to do a regular audit between them.  The ideal is to get my distributors to at least MATCH Restaurant Depot's pricing whenever I find that Restaurant Depot is lower.  That way I am getting my products delivered at the best price possible (which is critical now more than ever).  It also helps hit minimum order amounts for the distributors that impose those kinds of restrictions.

I don't find that I am necessarily buying more items from restaurant depot, but being able to tell my rep that I can buy coconut milk down the street for $1 less per #10 can tends to get me a new price that is $6 less per case.  I go through 2 cases a week and BAM, $600+ in savings and I can keep getting it delivered without having to haul those heavy cases myself.  It helps to do this process by looking at the SKUs for you that have the highest volume.

It's also just a good old reality check to make sure that your foodservice vendor isn't doing the old bait and switch (getting your business with low pricing only to raise those prices on you a few months in.)

We work with pennies, 5 cents here 10 cents there, is a Caribbean cruise, or a hooker once a week to break the boredom.

DD-

Never been to RD before but from my understanding, this is a cash only store.
Is this correct?

No CC/debit cards or checks?

DumplingDude


Good afternoon all.

I know times are tough, and thought I'd share an exercise that I went through a few months ago that was tedious, but worthwhile.  I am fortunate enough to be operating in an area that is served by several foodservice distributors.  There is also a Restaurant Depot fairly close to my location (5 minute drive), which is super convenient for those times when I have to pick something up on short notice.

But there is another benefit to having that Restaurant Depot close by.  I am able to keep my eyes on their pricing of items that I am currently getting delivered by my foodservice distributors.  Their prices tend to float upward (sometimes for no apparent reason).  While it's difficult to keep an eye on all of the prices of all of the items (we have a business to run afterall), I do think it's worth planning to do a regular audit between them.  The ideal is to get my distributors to at least MATCH Restaurant Depot's pricing whenever I find that Restaurant Depot is lower.  That way I am getting my products delivered at the best price possible (which is critical now more than ever).  It also helps hit minimum order amounts for the distributors that impose those kinds of restrictions.

I don't find that I am necessarily buying more items from restaurant depot, but being able to tell my rep that I can buy coconut milk down the street for $1 less per #10 can tends to get me a new price that is $6 less per case.  I go through 2 cases a week and BAM, $600+ in savings and I can keep getting it delivered without having to haul those heavy cases myself.  It helps to do this process by looking at the SKUs for you that have the highest volume.

It's also just a good old reality check to make sure that your foodservice vendor isn't doing the old bait and switch (getting your business with low pricing only to raise those prices on you a few months in.)

I agree Dude, I find this to be true in Paper items and broken case prices. I pay $8.95 for the foil sheets at Costco, through my FSC they are $19.95 per box.......

Ice Cream Man


We work with pennies, 5 cents here 10 cents there, is a Caribbean cruise, or a hooker once a week to break the boredom.

ICM, how come the second scoop of ice cream is always cheaper, and can you only buy the second scoop without buying the first. What if I already bought the first scoop yesterday, why should I have to buy it all over again ??????????????/
 
Also how are the dogs and sausage doing ????????????  Billyb

I actually have customers that think like you Billy.
 
The dogs and sausages are doing quite fine until someone eats them. They told me to tell you, thanks for asking.

We got up to 3 dozen a day, I know not good by doggers standards but people have Ice Cream on their minds when the roll up.
I'm looking for poor weather sales, lately its been hot here.

jedi5


DD-

Never been to RD before but from my understanding, this is a cash only store.
Is this correct?

No CC/debit cards or checks?

Not correct.  I pay for my RDepot purchases with my company credit cards.

jedi5


DD-

Never been to RD before but from my understanding, this is a cash only store.
Is this correct?

No CC/debit cards or checks?

We use our check book all the time.

We have had a membership there for 3 years now just for owning a beauty shop.

jedi5


DD-

Never been to RD before but from my understanding, this is a cash only store.
Is this correct?

No CC/debit cards or checks?

no, you can use credit card. Just bought a boat load of pans from them, First time there, prayed they took CC  and they did. :-D

I thought you would have bought a trailer load.

DumplingDude

jedi5


DD-

Never been to RD before but from my understanding, this is a cash only store.
Is this correct?

No CC/debit cards or checks?

Not correct.  I pay for my RDepot purchases with my company credit cards.

As do I - Company debit/credit card or company check - no personal checks.
These folks are 15% cheaper for my Vienna dogs and buns versus my previous supplier.

I stopped at Restaurant Depot / Atlanta yesterday to check out some prices. I want say 100% that they are any more competitive on the same items sold at the Wholesale Clubs. The biggest difference is the variety of food service and food items they sell. The Wholesale Clubs are really consumer stores. (TV’s, Eye Glass, Etc) Where as Restaurant Depot solely exist for the food service industry. If you have one locally I would I would make the trip to check them out. On the other hand if you local Wholesale Clubs stock what you need then I wouldn’t go out of my way to shop Restaurant Depot. All they require is a business license and a picture ID to become a member. If you have a tax ID then they don’t collect sales tax from you.

Thanks all for the info on RD.
I guess their "cash for carry" threw me off there a bit.
I really thought it was a cash only store, LOL.

Sigh... I'm such a sucker.

JodyP
I stopped at Restaurant Depot / Atlanta yesterday to check out some prices. I want say 100% that they are any more competitive on the same items sold at the Wholesale Clubs.

I hit Rest Depot, Sam's, Costco, and BJ's about every other week to check prices and stock up.  The Depot is always lower on charcoal by a buck a twin bag but higher on a can of beans.  Most of the time they are lower on pork and beef.  If I buy large enough quantities then the savings out weighs the cost of gas.

Dave
Uncle Bud's BBQ
 

In my area the sams club is higher than the local cheny dist. about 10 milea away, about the only thing i'll buy at sams is the paper products etc. they dont sell a n/c dog in the place either ! the other thing i've seen is watch the exp. / born on dates on the meats  the ones that I check'd are pretty close to exp.dates.
the R/D in my area would be orlando and I cant seem to get on anything except the weekly ads. on line that is. but we are going down next week to a wholesale rest, supply house to look at a prep table we'll prob. stop in and check it out if they'll let us in,