Every restaurant industry executive should shop from broadline distributors if they wish to provide the best customer experience possible. Or, if you operate a restaurant business in The Windy City, doing so can help you offer the best food service Chicago has to offer. While it’s just one metropolitan area in the United States, Chicago is the third largest city in the nation.
Therefore, there are thousands of food service establishments that can benefit from the top broadline food distributors. Plus, there are new eateries popping up all over the city all the time. So, these entities can get a headstart while staying organized right from the beginning. Continue reading the remainder of this article to learn more about Chicago’s best food service distributors.
4 Distributors for the Best Food Service Chicago Has to Offer
Offering great products and customer service doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. And it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg either. Once you streamline inventory management by buying all your ingredients and suppliers from one vendor, you won’t believe you went so long doing anything else. So, if you’d like to learn about five distributors that can help you establish some of the best food services Chicago has to offer, check out the following four companies.
1. L&P Foods
Since 1977, L&P Foods has been distributing wholesale products to businesses in the Chicago area and beyond. Like many other wholesale distribution companies, this vendor doesn’t specialize in anything specific. Instead, they offer an extensive range of products.
Do you need to stock up on sweets? What about savory meat products? Either way, L&P Foods will be able to provide you with what you need. Seriously, from wholesale candy to ready-to-heat entree food, they’ve got it all. Plus, they also sell a vast selection of restaurant supplies. And what food service business doesn’t need cleaning products and paper goods? For many businesses, this wholesale distributor is a one-stop-shop for all necessities.
2. Midwest Foods
If you’re shopping for a specialty distributor in Chicago, consider buying all your necessities from Midwest Foods. They can provide your food service establishment with the freshest dairy, produce, protein sources, and more in the area.
Midwest Foods also strives to source their products from ethical farmers and producers. In doing so, they’re a great distribution choice for sustainable restaurants. By sourcing products from over forty local farms, they have been able to divert almost six million pounds of food from landfills. Meanwhile, nearly two million pounds of this food has been recycled.
3. 86 Food Service
Did you know that 86 Food Service works with more than just traditional restaurants? In addition to the business model that we all know and love, they also work with bakeries and grocery stores. But what do they sell to all of these business entities? Well, everything! As of October 2024, 86 Food Service’s product catalog goes on for a whopping 162 pages. That’s a whole lot of content pertaining to items for sale if you ask us!
Let us put that into perspective for you. 86 Food Service’s catalog consists of over 1,500 brands. These brands make up a complete list of over 9,000 products. If you’re wondering how they manage to sustain such massive operations, take their 100,000-square-foot warehouse into consideration. In this facility, the team at 86 Food Service is able to remain organized and efficient.
4. The Chef’s Warehouse
If you’re looking for a wholesale distributor that has everything from A to Z, look no further than The Chef’s Warehouse. It’s not every day that you can find a local distributor that carries wholesale meat and seafood, as well as pastry items and wholesale condiments. Their produce catalog even offers decorative items, which can only be a reference to wholesale microgreens.
Even if you operate an oil and vinegar store and need to stock up on essentials, their selection of various types of oil and vinegar is massive. They seriously have everything that a food service establishment could need
You’ll also come to find that many food service distributors carry food only. However, The Chef’s Warehouse is one of the few options that also operates as a restaurant supply company. So, whether you need wholesale paper goods or appliances, they’ve got you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Food Service in Chicago
If you’re striving to offer the best food service in Chicago, there are a number of local companies that can help you out. Want to learn all about them? Check out the FAQ section below to gain additional insight into food service distributors in Chicago, IL.
What Are Some of the Best Distributors That Revolve Around Food Service In Chicago?
If you’re in the market for some of the best wholesale food distributors in The Windy City, you’re in luck! Several of the best food distribution companies that cater to food service in Chicago include:
- L&P Foods
- Midwest Foods
- 86 Food Service
- The Chef’s Warehouse
Which Is the Largest Food Service Distribution Company In Chicago, IL?
The largest food service distribution company in the Chicago area is US Foods. The US Foods headquarters is located in Rosemont, IL, which is right outside of Chicago. While it might not reside within the heart of the city, its size and impact in the wholesale food and beverage space certainly contributes to businesses in Chicago and beyond.
Do Companies Like Sysco and US Foods Operate In Chicago, IL?
Yes, massive broadline distributors like Sysco and US Foods operate in Chicago, IL. As leaders in the broadline distribution sector, both of these companies operate satellite offices and warehouses in all the major cities. After all, when servicing hundreds of thousands of businesses, it’s vital that there are enough distribution centers to ensure timely deliveries and stellar customer service.
Do Food Service Distributors In Chicago Ship Nationwide?
Yes, most, if not all the food service distributors in Chicago ship wholesale products nationwide. One of the sole purposes of broadline distribution companies is to supply businesses with everything they need to operate. Therefore, if a business finds that a Chicago-based distributor can offer what they need, it’s usually feasible to shop there.
Is There Anything That Chicago Food Service Distributors Specialize In?
No, there isn’t really anything that Chicago food service distributors specialize in. That’s because the whole point of food service distribution companies is to supply everything. From fresh produce to packaged snacks, they sell it all. Well, they should at least! Therefore, it’s not common for such a company to specialize in a particular product category.
Locate the Best Chicago Food Service Distributors On the BlueCart App
With the ease and efficiency of detailed search filters, customers can use the BlueCart app to dive into our vast selection of Chicago food service distributors. Whether you have a particular distribution company in mind or would just prefer to shop locally, you can narrow down your search on the Endless Aisle - the ultimate digital marketplace. If you’d like to speak with someone directly to learn more about it, feel free to schedule a demo today! Soon after, one of our staff members will be in touch to teach you all about the platform.