Baked goods and pastries are among the favorite food groups for people with busy schedules and fast lifestyles. Probably that’s why they are so popular in New York. The restaurant industry has adapted to the increased consumption of baked products and various food service businesses offer such. These companies have the option to prepare baked goods in their kitchen or to partner with a wholesale bakery in NYC. Most choose the latter as commercial bakeries can offer a wide variety of products at wholesale prices. This makes them reliable partners for both large and small restaurant businesses. In addition to commercial bakeries, some broadline food distributors in NYC also sell baked goods and sweets. In the following lines, we’ll shed some light on the retail and wholesale bakery industry in New York. Whether you operate a food service business and need distributors of restaurant supplies in NYC or wish to find out more distributors, check out our articles about coffee suppliers in New York and wholesale produce in NYC.
Key takeaway: Commercial bakeries in New York specialize in preparing large quantities of bread, cookies, and other baked goods for restaurants, cafes, or other businesses. Some wholesale bakeries also serve retail customers at their premises.
The Bakery Sector of New York
Generally speaking, there are two main types of bakery businesses – retail and commercial bakeries. The former prepares and sells baked goods online or at their premises to retail customers. Retail bakeries are commonly located in areas with a lot of pedestrian traffic or tourists. They also offer various beverages such as specialty coffee, tea, or soda. These bakeries offer both sweet pastry products and savory baked goods.
Commercial bakeries specialize in wholesale sales of baked goods, sweets, pastries, and other related products. They sell to restaurants, businesses in the hotel industry, and other food service establishments such as coffee shops and food carts. Businesses that operate a wholesale bakery in NYC are rarely located in central locations with a lot of pedestrian traffic. Some bakeries are combined – they sell baked goods to retail customers on-premise and also make bulk deliveries to businesses. Unlike wholesale seafood in NYC or dairy distributors in NYC, you’ll rarely find a wholesale bakery in NYC’s co-op market.
Most Popular Baked Goods
Baked goods are among the most popular food categories in most cuisines. That’s why there are wide varieties of bread, pastries, and desserts such as brownies and muffins offered by retail and wholesale bakeries in NYC. Here are some of the most popular product groups they sell.
- Bread. From bagels and baguettes to burger buns and focaccia, there are multiple types of bread purchased by restaurant managers;
- Cookies. Most commercial bakeries in New York produce large quantities of cookies. Some of them also offer customization options with writing or special decoration;
- Pastries. Pies, scones, and donuts are just a few examples of America’s favorite pastries;
- Cakes. Most wholesale bakeries offer generic and ready-to-order cakes and cupcakes. Some companies like catering businesses also offer custom cakes for special occasions;
- Other baked goods. This niche market is known for its large assortment of products. That’s why commercial bakeries also sell muffins, French macarons, croissants, and individually wrapped baked goods.
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Good Picks for a Wholesale Bakery in NYC
There are thousands of bakeries across New York. However, a small percentage of them also work as a wholesale bakery in NYC. They offer products in bulk to small and large businesses in the tri-state area.
Northside Bakery
The company has two locations across New York – one bakery in Brooklyn and another one in Queens. They offer a variety of fresh baked high-demand products like bread, pastries, and rolls. In addition to serving as a wholesale bakery in NYC, Northside Bakery delivers products to New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Known for: Their artisan baked products.
NYC Wholesale Bakery
The company provides a variety of baked goods across NYC, NJ, PA, and CT. They have a network of bakeries and other companies and provide a variety of wholesale baked goods.
Known for: The network of bakeries they work with to offer a wide range of products to a large area.
Harvest Bakery
The company has the mission to offer quality and traditional products to customers and businesses in New York. Harvest Bakery is based in Long Island and sells various baked goods. From cookies and crumb cakes to loaves and muffins, they can be the reliable and sustainable supplier for businesses in the restaurant industry.
Known for: Their home-style bakery products.
Sullivan Street Bakery
The company specializes in handmade and traditional Italian artisanal baked goods. They follow the highest baking standards and are suitable partners that can follow the latest restaurant industry trends. The company was established in 1994 and also offers catering services to local customers.
Known for: The company’s commitment to high-end baked goods and the books published by the founder Jim Lahey – My Bread, My Pizza, and The Sullivan Street Bakery Cookbook.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Bakeries in NYC
Whether you’re interested in bakery technology or how to make a bakery website, you’ll find tons of valuable information on our website. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding retail and commercial bakeries in New York.
How to Open a Bakery in NYC?
Starting a bakery business can be a profitable endeavor. The first thing to decide is whether to start a retail or a commercial bakery. There are multiple small bakeries in New York but not so many businesses that focus on wholesale bakeries in NYC. Here are the steps to open a bakery.
- Create a thorough bakery business plan;
- Find the right location. If you plan to open a retail bakery, the location is of paramount importance;
- Create the menu and plan how it will evolve in the future;
- Order bakery equipment and tools needed to create baked goods;
- Obtain the necessary permits and licenses;
- Find suppliers of quality ingredients and products.
Are Wholesale Bakeries Different from Retail Bakeries?
Yes. There are many differences between a retail and a wholesale bakery in NYC or in other parts of the country. Let’s examine a few.
- Types of products. Some retail bakeries focus on a small variety of products. On the other hand, wholesale bakeries need to offer a wide diversity of baked goods.
- Quantities. Naturally, commercial bakeries sell products in bulk and prepare them in bigger numbers compared to retail ones.
- Processes. A business owner of a wholesale bakery in NYC needs to take care of B2B sales, marketing to other businesses, and various other processes that are not applicable to retail bakeries.
- Work environment. Wholesale bakeries need more staff and pay close attention to production processes and prices of ingredients.
Are Bakery Businesses Profitable?
Yes. Bakery businesses have a good profit margin ranging between 5 and 15 percent. If you own a wholesale bakery in NYC and wish to increase your profit margin, a good way to do so is by offering more artisanal goods. These products are sought by high-end food service businesses and they can increase the revenue and ROI of your business. Product diversification can help with bakery marketing too. High-quality pastry or baked goods that are hard to make can showcase the expertise of your wholesale bakery in NYC. They can also be used in upselling or cross-selling.
BlueCart: The Reliable Software for Distributors of Wholesale Products
If you wish to up your B2B game, consider scheduling a demo with BlueCart. Our software has helped multiple broadline distributors, coffee roasters, seafood vendors, and meat distributors in NYC and other areas of the country automate various business processes and easily sell products to Michelin-starred restaurants and other businesses.