From wholesale cleaning supplies to cookware and utensils, restaurant businesses need various supplies in their day-to-day operations. Some restaurant managers prefer to visit physical restaurant supply stores in order to inspect the items themselves. Others partner with eCommerce platforms that allow them to easily compare prices and characteristics. In the following paragraphs, we’ll examine the main products sold by distributors of restaurant supplies in Virginia. We'll also share details about some of the reliable wholesalers in the field. Furthermore, if you wish to find suppliers in Virginia, check out our posts on wholesale seafood in Virginia Beach or Richmond wholesale meat distributors.
Key takeaway: Some restaurant supply stores in Virginia focus on tabletop products, supplies, and kitchenware. Others specialize in kitchen design and commercial equipment delivery. Broadline Virginia gourmet and food wholesalers might also offer various restaurant supplies and disposable products.
Main Categories of Restaurant Supplies
In some contexts, the term restaurant supplies is used to describe all kinds of products purchased by food service businesses such as meat, produce, and beverages. However, the term restaurant supplies usually refers to equipment, tools, and disposable goods used by food service establishments. Typical examples include disposables like straws and napkins or tools such as kitchen utensils and appliances. Let’s examine the main product categories sold by stores and distributors of restaurant supplies in Virginia.
- Commercial kitchen equipment. This category includes refrigerators, cooking appliances, work tables, and food preparation equipment. These are usually the biggest and most expensive items in restaurant kitchens. Thus, some businesses choose to purchase second-hand kitchen equipment.
- Dinnerware and tabletop accessories. From cutlery and plates to napkin dispensers and condiment containers, there’s a wide variety of products offered in this category.
- Inventory and storage solutions. That includes commercial shelving, dish cabinets, racks, and carts.
- Disposable restaurant supplies. Although they are often associated with the fast-food industry, these products are also purchased by cafes, catering companies, and other grab-and-go businesses. They buy cups, straws, napkins, single-use cutlery, and plastic containers wholesale. In recent years, one of the restaurant industry trends has to reduce the usage of plastic. That’s why some sustainable suppliers offer biodegradable options in this category.
- Sanitation and wholesale janitorial supplies. In order to be successful, food service businesses need to pay extra attention to hygiene and sanitation. Distributors of restaurant supplies in Virginia can offer a variety of solutions in that category.
- Cookware, utensils, and other kitchen tools. From pans and pots to knives and utensils, there’s a wide selection of products in this category.
- Furniture. Wholesalers of restaurant supplies in Virginia often sell a variety of restaurant tables and chairs. Some establishments prefer to order them directly from furniture manufacturers as they can offer various customizations.
Broadline Distributors VS a Specialized Restaurant Supply Store in Richmond or Virginia
Many broadline food distributors in Virginia or large wholesalers like Sysco also offer restaurant supplies. The benefit of purchasing supplies from them is that they can be the one-stop shop for everything your business needs. However, these broadline distributors often have high minimum order quantities (MOQ) and might be less flexible compared to smaller wholesalers or restaurant supply stores. Business owners that have a tight budget or need better customer service and consultation regarding their supply needs might also opt for specialized restaurant supply distributors.
Distributors and Restaurant Supply Stores in Virginia
Many large distributors in the restaurant industry also ship products or have physical restaurant supply stores in Virginia. These include US Foods CHEF’STORE, Restaurantsupply.com, WebstaurantStore, and others. Below we have shared details about local distributors of restaurant supplies in Virginia. They have proved themselves as trustworthy suppliers for hospitality groups in the past decades.
Gusti Restaurant Equipment
Their main focus is on furniture and commercial kitchen equipment. The company also sells smallwares like utensils or tabletop products. Companies that go out of business or wish to upgrade their existing equipment should know that Gusti Restaurant Equipment also buys used kitchen equipment. The company is based in Richmond, VA, and has been among the leaders in restaurant supplies in Virginia since 1992. They also have partners for financing which can reduce the initial cost of opening a restaurant.
Known for: The wide range of new and used restaurant equipment and supplies offered.
Fortessa
Based in Ashburn, VA, the company is among the leaders in manufacturing tableware products. From glasses and bar accessories to dinnerware and flatware sets, the Fortessa brand is known for combining quality and style. The company is not a typical distributor of restaurant supplies in Virginia. It specializes in B2B sales of such products to restaurants, hotels, caterers, and various other businesses.
Known for: Their craftsmanship and stylish design of tabletop products and smallwares.
Winchester Restaurant Equipment
In addition to offering a wide selection of reconditioned and new restaurant equipment, the company helps its customers with services such as commercial kitchen design and consultations throughout the process. As its name suggests, the company is based in Winchester, Virginia, and partners with multiple businesses within the area.
Known for: Their affordable reconditioned kitchen equipment and their commitment to excellent customer service.
Herb's Restaurant Supply & Equipment
The company specializes in commercial kitchen equipment such as freezers, food display solutions, food preparation, and cooking equipment. With a product line of more than 500 products and partnerships with over 100 manufacturers, Herb's Restaurant Supply & Equipment is the reliable option in the Southeast region.
Known for: The wide selection of kitchen equipment available and their commitment to helping both big and small businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Restaurant Supplies in Virginia
Whether you wish to know more about wholesale produce in Virginia or are interested in the latest restaurant automation trends, BlueCart is the right place for you. Below we’ve shared the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding the industry of restaurant supplies in Virginia.
What Other Businesses Purchase from Restaurant Supply Stores in Virginia?
Various companies might purchase products from restaurant supply stores in Richmond. That includes small food service businesses like food stands, large chains from the hotel industry, and coffee shops. Event halls and catering businesses might also need equipment, tableware, and large quantities of disposable products like wholesale paper goods. Some wholesalers also partner with sellers of restaurant supplies in Virginia. For example, Richmond coffee roasters might also offer cups, condiments, and barista tools that they purchase from large restaurant supply stores. Since many restaurant supply stores also sell retail, they might attract individual customers.
How to Start a Restaurant Supply Business?
Since there are multiple subcategories and varieties of different restaurant supplies, starting an eCommerce or a physical store in that niche market requires a large capital investment. An alternative will be to stock only high-demand products and order other less-purchased items on demand.
If you don’t have a large capital but wish to start an online restaurant supply store, you can benefit from the dropshipping model. Although the profit margins are smaller, this model allows you to create a business easily and focus primarily on marketing and sales.
New or Used Restaurant Equipment?
Many restaurant supply stores also sell used kitchen equipment or restaurant supplies. Refrigerators, ovens, and other appliances are among the common products in this subcategory. The main benefit of purchasing second-hand commercial kitchen equipment from restaurant supply stores is that the price can be significantly lower compared to new appliances. The disadvantage of purchasing used restaurant equipment is that these products might not be as reliable as new ones.
BlueCart: The One-Stop Shop for Sellers and Buyers of Restaurant Supplies
Whether you wish to purchase wholesale linen and paper goods or you’re a distributor of bulk restaurant supplies, BlueCart is the right marketplace for you. Our software helps thousands of wholesalers and their customers make wholesale purchases and bulk deliveries easier. Book a free demo and see how BlueCart’s solutions can take your business to the next level!