Every food service executive needs to stock up on bulk restaurant supplies and linens. After all, they’re necessary for running a business. If you operate an entity within the restaurant industry in the Greater Boston area, there are several restaurant and linen companies in Boston’s vicinity.
Whether you need to furnish your eatery’s kitchen with restaurant equipment and gadgets or install add-ons like a kitchen display system (KDS) or ambient restaurant lighting, the companies we’re going to talk about offer it all. Even if you need uniforms for your wait staff, some of the vendors we’re about to introduce you to will have what you need. Now, let’s begin!
Bulk Restaurant Supplies Every Restaurant Needs
Aside from food and beverages, there are numerous items that a restaurant business owner must acquire. Many of these items will contribute to the aesthetics and ambiance of the restaurant. However, many of these supplies will allow the restaurant to function optimally. See below for a shopping list:
- Restaurant equipment, like stoves and fridges
- Linens, like napkins and tablecloths
- Decorative table centerpieces
- Bulk flatware, like plates, bowls, and platters
- Bulk utensils, like spoons, forks, and knives
Now that we’ve covered the kinds of suppliers each and every restaurant business might utilize, it’s time to discuss suppliers in the Boston area. We’ll delve into such information in the next section.
4 Vendors That Sell Bulk Restaurant Supplies and Linen In the Greater Boston Area
Are you ready to choose a Boston linen or supply company? We have several options that you can choose from! See below:
1. Boston Showcase Company
Location: Newton Highlands, MA
Boston restaurant supplies can be quite the investment. That's why it's so important to shop from a vendor that specializes in such materials. Thankfully, the Boston Showcase Company supplies all kinds of businesses in the hospitality industry with the add-ons they need to thrive.
For over 100 years, the Boston Showcase Company has been collaborating with restaurant industry professionals. In doing so, they have consistently been supplying food service establishments with the following goods:
- Food storage
- Restaurant seating
- Restaurant furniture
- Dishware
- Equipment
- Tabletop decor
The Boston Showcase Company is pretty flexible when it comes to whom they work with. No wonder they have such a massive customer base! It states on their website that whether you operate a brand-new venture, a ghost kitchen, or are just in need of a single product category, they've got your back.
2. Metropolitan Uniform and Linen Services
Location: Haverhill, MA
Metropolitan Linen and Uniform Services offers the best of both worlds. Executives in the food service industry can rent uniforms for their staff through this vendor. However, Metropolitan is also one of the suppliers that launders uniforms and linens.
Arguably one of the best linen and uniform companies of its kind, Metropolitan's staff operates across their newest and biggest location. That being a whopping 37,000 square-foot facility.
In this place of business, the team also has the resources to enforce sustainability efforts. Their contributions to a more eco-friendly business include the following:
- Low water consumption
- The use of eco-friendly machinery
- Enhanced chemical performance
- Equipment that utilizes less energy
For over four decades, Metropolitan has been renting out linen and apparel to local businesses. Combine that with their sustainability efforts, and you have a food service supplier ideal for the more sustainable restaurants of the Boston area! Plus, they service a large portion of New England, too.
3. Crown Uniform and Linen Service
Location: Brockton, MA
Are you shopping for linen rentals Boston, MA has to offer its local F&B professionals? If so, Crown Linen and Uniform Service will serve you well.
Whether you operate a multi-unit franchise or a small mom-and-pop restaurant, linens and uniforms are must-haves. Crown goes as far as to protect you from compliance risks when it comes to food safety. Even though this is in regard to your restaurant's back of house uniforms, it's more than what other suppliers offer.
But how do they ensure such high safety standards? Well, as a leading commercial uniform and laundry service provider, they abide by FDA guidelines for the following types of supplies:
- Napkins
- Towels
- Chef’s aprons
- Employee uniforms
Food and beverage manufactures and processing plants can also benefit from Crown's offerings. From flame resistant work shirts to custom chef coats, Crown offers it all.
4. Sparrow Lane Tabletop Rentals
Location: Carlisle, MA
Sparrow Lane offers rentals for businesses and parties hosting events. In other words, they work seamlessly with catering companies in the Greater Boston area.
While tabletop decor might be Sparrow Lane's specialty, there is so much more that food service establishments can source from them. Check out the list below to find out what else Sparrow Lane rents out:
- Restaurant linens
- Dinnerware
- Glassware
- Flatware
- Decor
- Lighting
Sparrow Lane makes it possible to host custom and memorable events. Businesses will be able to elevate special occasions for their guests, even beyond the Boston area! Sparrow Lane has also contributed to events in Rhode Island, local parts of New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bulk Restaurant Supplies
If you still have questions about where to locate various types of bulk restaurant supplies in the Boston area, no worries! We’ve got you covered in the FAQ section below. We’ll even discuss the topic from a more general perspective. Read on!
Where Can I Buy Bulk Restaurant Supplies In Boston?
Business owners in Boston can buy bulk restaurant supplies from the following companies:
- Sysco Boston
- Boston Showcase Company
- Sparrow Lane Tabletop Rentals
- Crown Uniform and Linen Services
- Metropolitan Uniform and Linen Services
Where Can I Buy Used Restaurant Equipment?
You can buy used and refurbished restaurant equipment from places like Best Buy and Restaurant Depot. You can also buy used equipment from platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Be sure to consider shipping costs, and whether you can avoid them by shopping locally.
Are There Any Options Similar to Restaurant Depot?
Yes, some companies that are similar and comparable to Restaurant Depot include:
- Sysco
- US Foods
- Chef’Store
- Gordon Food Service
- Costco Business Center
- Performance Food Group
Where Can You Buy Kitchen Utensils Wholesale?
Business owners can buy kitchen utensils from a variety of wholesalers. Here are several you can choose from:
- Hubert
- TigerChef
- WebstaurantStore
- Restaurant Depot
- KaTom Restaurant Supply
- Central Restaurant Products
How Do Restaurants Choose a Supplier?
Those who own and operate a food service establishment need to consider a variety of factors when choosing supplies. These factors include the following:
- Estimate a budget for the supplies you need to invest in.
- Weigh your options and the quality of the supplies on the market.
- Read customer reviews for the products you're considering.
- Select restaurant supplies that connect to in-house and off-premise tech solutions.
- Take note of the customer service from multiple suppliers, as this will be important if you ever experience an issue with their products.
Shop Bulk Restaurant Supplies and Linens Wholesale
Every food service establishment in the Greater Boston area (and beyond) should buy all their bulk restaurant supplies, linens, and other necessities wholesale. In doing so, entrepreneurs can save a significant amount of money from making bulk purchases. If you’re interested in a platform that provides businesses with a wholesale directory to make all transactions in one place, book a demo with BlueCart to learn all about how you can start simplifying your orders.