South Florida and the Miami metropolitan area are home to millions of people. Furthermore, The Sunshine State welcomes millions of US and international visitors each year. That is why Miami has a well-developed and competitive restaurant and hotel industry. These businesses need reliable suppliers of various food groups. That’s why the largest among them often turn to broadline food distributors in Miami and the region. These wholesalers can offer a wide range of products at wholesale prices. Furthermore, by partnering with a broadline supplier, businesses can have a much faster and more efficient ordering process. In this article, we’ll share some of the best food distributors in Miami and shed some light on the sector as a whole. If you wish to find suppliers in Florida, check out our posts on meat distributors in Miami and seafood distributors in Miami.
Key takeaway: There are multiple broadline suppliers across Florida. From fresh produce and seafood to bulk restaurant supplies, these distributors offer a wide range of products sold by grocery stores and used by food service businesses.
The Food Distribution Industry in Florida
Florida is the third most populated state after California and Texas. That’s why there are multiple broadline food distributors in Miami and other metropolitan areas across Florida. Businesses that prefer to work primarily with broadline suppliers include grocery stores, large hotel chains, and food service chains. These companies benefit from automation solutions and the wide range of products sold by large food distributors. In addition to offering a variety of food products, these wholesalers also sell restaurant supplies such as wholesale paper goods, plastic containers, and other tools needed in day-to-day operations.
On the other hand, the restaurant industry might opt to partner with suppliers that specialize in a certain niche market such as seafood vendors or produce distributors. This guarantees better flexibility and more focus on quality.
Even though the majority of US tomatoes and citrus fruits are grown in Florida, the state doesn’t have a well-developed agricultural sector. That’s why most distributors partner with manufacturers, farms, and processing companies from other parts of the country.
Product Categories Offered by Broadline Food Distributors in Miami
What is broadline distribution exactly? A key characteristic of broadline food suppliers is that these wholesalers don’t specialize in a single category of products. Instead, they sell hundreds of goods in different categories. Let’s examine some of the main product categories sold by broadline food distributors in Miami and across the country.
- Meat and vegan meat alternatives;
- Dairy (including dairy-free products like plant-based milk);
- Produce;
- Soft drinks, liquor, beer, and wine;
- Specialty food products;
- Canned products, dry goods, grains, and cereal;
- Baked goods;
- Sweets and snacks;
- Frozen food;
- Disposable products like wholesale plastic containers or paper supplies.
Reputable Broadline and Food Distributors in Miami
The majority of food distributors focus on a specific niche or product category. However, some of the largest suppliers offer multiple products and brands in different subcategories. This helps them land more wholesale sales, expand their portfolio, and benefit from economies of scale. Here are some of the top broadline food distributors in Miami and Florida.
Cheney Brothers
The company is among the largest food distributors in the country. They have multiple locations across Florida and have expanded to other states as well. Furthermore, Cheney Brothers has a team of export professionals that help businesses sell their products abroad. The company was established in 1925 and has over 2 million sq ft of inventory and storage space. Cheney Brothers offers a variety of products such as meat, seafood, dry goods, restaurant supplies, frozen and fresh produce, beverages, and more!
Known for: One of the largest food distributors in Miami and the country as a whole.
Mia Foods International
Although the company offers services as a food distributor, its primary focus is on imports and exports. They help businesses set up their supply chains and export documentation. Furthermore, business owners who need a partner in private labeling can also count on Mia Foods International.
Known for: Their focus on international distribution of meat, seafood, produce, grains, beverages, and various other products.
Rex Discount
With a wide range of over 11,000 products, Rex Discount is a reliable supplier for grocery stores, large food service chains, and various other businesses. They offer both high-demand products and goods with limited search. Since the early 80’s, Rex Discount has built strong relationships with companies in the hotel sector, restaurants, and various other businesses. From wholesale cleaning supplies to fresh groceries, Rex Discount can offer everything your business is looking for in terms of B2B sales.
Known for: Being a one-stop wholesale grocery shop.
Royal Food Distributors
Although the company is based in Miami, it also serves customers in Jacksonville, Orlando, Florida's West Coast, and other areas across the state. Royal Food Distributors focuses on grocery products such as meat, cheese, bakery products, snacks, and frozen food. However, they also offer less-known products from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions.
Known for: Their focus on quality, low minimum order quantities, and the wide variety of products offered.
Frequently Asked Questions about Broadline & Food Distributors in Miami
Whether you wish to know how to become a sustainable supplier or how to benefit from bulk deliveries, there are multiple resources available on our website. Below we’ve shared the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding broadline food distributors in Miami.
What Are the Pros of Working with Broadline Food Distributors in Miami?
The main benefit of working with suppliers that offer multiple food categories is that this saves a company a lot of time and resources related to choosing vendors and communicating with different distributors. That’s why large restaurant businesses prefer to put their faith in the largest broadline food distributors in Miami. This gives them peace of mind that the ordering process will be easy and they can count on their broadline supplier for any product needed. Grocery stores and other large businesses that need a wide range of goods also partner with some of the largest food distributors in Miami and the country.
What Are the Cons of Working with Broadline Food Distributors in Miami?
The main disadvantage of partnering with broadline suppliers is that they usually are not as flexible as vendors that specialize in a certain food category. For example, large food distributors in Miami might have much higher MOQ (minimum order quantity) compared to seafood distributors or wholesale coffee roasters in Miami. Specialized suppliers might also have better quality control and smaller profit margins on their wholesale products.
Who Are the Largest Broadline Food Distributors in the US?
With more than 170 distribution centers across the US, Sysco is the largest broadline distributor in the country. They also have a presence in other countries across the globe. Performance Food Group (PFG), US Foods, and The McLane Company are also among the biggest broadline distributors in the country. Some manufacturers and food processing companies also offer distribution services. Examples of such businesses include Tyson Foods (primarily known for their poultry, beef, and meat products), PepsiCo (manufacturer and distributor of soda beverages and snacks), and Nestlé (a major player in the field of sweets and other products in the food and beverage industry).
BlueCart: The One-Stop Shop for B2B Food Sales
Throughout the years, BlueCart has become the preferred software solution for a variety of vendors. Whether you sell wholesale linens to restaurants and hotels or you’re a restaurant manager in need of reliable suppliers, our platform is the right place. Schedule a free demo today and find out how BlueCart can help your wholesale or food service business.