Baked goods in coffee shops offer customers the chance to enjoy their favorite beverage alongside a tasty dessert. Alternatively, some people get their breakfast from their favorite local cafe on the way to the office or get it delivered to their doorstep. Whatever the case may be, it’s obvious that baked goods and hot beverages come hand in hand. Cafes often purchase wholesale pastries for coffee shops from commercial bakery businesses. That way, they can focus on beverages instead of baking and investing in bakery technology and appliances. In this post, we’ll shed some light on sales of wholesale pastries for coffee shops, the most popular baked goods sold in cafes, and how to find suppliers for this product category. If you’re interested in baked goods, check out our guide on opening a bakery or some of the most popular bakery marketing ideas that are suitable for both retail and commercial bakeries.
Key takeaway: The most popular baked goods for a cafe are croissants, muffins, and doughnuts. Savory pastries are also bought in bulk by cafes and other businesses. Coffee shops rarely prepare pastries on their own as that means investing in bakery equipment and additional storage space.
Common Baked Goods Sold Wholesale
When it comes to sales of wholesale pastries for coffee shops, sweet options are definitely the most popular ones. They pair very well with both coffee and tea. However, savory baked goods are also among the bestsellers for commercial bakeries. A lot of customers prefer a salty or buttery breakfast instead of a sweet one. Here are some of the most popular types of pastries bought in bulk.
- Croissants;
- Scones;
- Muffins;
- Doughnuts;
- Brownies;
- Cheese Danish;
- Cake;
- Eclairs;
- Quiches;
- Cinnamon rolls;
- Macarons;
- Seasonal baked goods like Christmas cookies or pumpkin spice pastries that can be paired with seasonal coffee drinks;
- Various vegan and gluten-free pastries.
Pastry Suppliers for Coffee Shops and Other Businesses
Cafes that wish to offer baked goods have three options. They can purchase pastries at wholesale prices from commercial bakeries. This is one of the most preferred options as wholesale bakeries offer good flexibility and can make custom pastries based on their customers’ requests. Another reason why to partner with a distributor of wholesale pastries for coffee shops is that they are aware of the trends in the sector. Therefore, they can consult restaurants, cafes, and other businesses that need bulk baked goods.
Another option chosen by some companies is to order pastries from broadliners. The benefit of this approach is that broadline distributors can deliver wholesale products in various categories. However, they primarily sell the most popular types of baked goods and rarely offer customization options.
The third option that cafes have is to make their own pastries. It’s not very common for coffee shops to choose this approach as this significantly changes their business type. In fact, this will effectively turn them into a bakery. In order to make their own baked goods, coffee shops need to invest in the right equipment and appliances. Furthermore, they also need to find suppliers of ingredients such as flour, fillings, fruits, cheeses, and various other products used to bake delicious pastries. If you’re interested in turning your coffee shop into a bakery, check out our post on starting a bakery business and our guide on writing a bakery business plan.
Where to Buy Wholesale Pastries for a Coffee Shop
When it comes to bulk deliveries of baked goods, most businesses prefer to partner with local commercial bakeries. That way, they know that the products will always be delivered on time and will be as fresh as it gets. Furthermore, purchasing from a local bakery instead of broadline distributors is a more sustainable option and it also helps the local community.
When searching for suppliers, coffee shops usually research online or sign up for platforms like BlueCart. This allows them to compare prices and easily browse suppliers' eCommerce catalogs.
How to Choose a Pastry Supplier for a Coffee Shop
There are multiple factors to consider when choosing suppliers in different niche markets. Let’s examine some of the important ones.
- Variety of products. When it comes to B2B sales of wholesale pastries for coffee shops, businesses search for commercial bakeries that offer a wide variety of baked goods and don’t just specialize in a single product category;
- Customization. Offering white-label pastries and custom products is very important. This helps cafes establish themselves as brands or add additional revenue streams by offering pastries under their own label;
- Quality. Although this is an important factor for all types of food, it’s crucial for pastries. Make sure to order them from a commercial bakery that offers only freshly baked goods;
- Prices. Naturally, prices are a major factor in wholesale sales. Cafes search for distributors of wholesale pastries for coffee shops that can offer them affordable prices and allow them to add a markup when selling to retail customers.
- Deliveries. Food service businesses order baked goods on a regular basis. Usually, that’s done daily or every other day. Thus, it’s important to get wholesale baked goods from a commercial bakery that offers regular deliveries.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Pastries for Coffee Shops
Whether you’re interested in the different types of cafes or opening a coffee shop, there are various useful resources on BlueCart and BinWise. Below you will find the answers to popular questions regarding baked goods and wholesale pastries for coffee shops.
Make Your Own Pastries or Purchase from a Commercial Bakery?
There are both pros and cons to preparing baked goods vs ordering them from a wholesale bakery. The main benefit is that it helps you improve your profit margins. Also, you’ll always have the freshest possible pastries. The disadvantage of preparing baked goods at your business is that this requires large investments in bakery equipment and storage space. That’s why small cafes often prefer to partner with distributors of wholesale pastries for coffee shops. This gives them more flexibility and helps them focus on coffee preparation.
Do Broadline Distributors Sell Wholesale Pastries for Coffee Shops?
Yes. Some businesses prefer to purchase baked goods from broadliners instead of partnering with specialized commercial bakeries. The reason behind this approach is that broadline suppliers can also deliver a variety of additional products – supplies, beverages, and other inventory for coffee shops. Keep in mind that most broadliners focus on the most popular coffee shop pastries. As such, they have limited customization options. Most cafes choose to order wholesale pastries from commercial bakeries in order to guarantee their freshness. Furthermore, wholesale bakeries can also offer customization options such as branding or white-label baked goods.
What Are Good Pairings for Pastries?
Traditionally, most people prefer to eat pastries alongside coffee or tea. Espresso drinks like cappuccino or latte are among the most popular pairings for sweet baked goods. Cocktails or mocktails can also be paired with both savory and sweet pastries. Coffee shops use pastries as a way to cross-sell to their customers who wish to enjoy their specialty coffee along with a tasty bite. Although beverage and pastry pairings depend on personal preferences, here are a few ideas.
- Fruity cheese Danish with latte;
- Espresso or Americano with a buttery croissant;
- Cappuccino with tiramisu or a cannoli;
Order Wholesale Pastries at BlueCart
Commercial bakeries can easily find new customers by signing up for BlueCart. Furthermore, our wholesale ordering software can also help wholesale bakeries streamline their customer relations and automate various processes. Cafes, restaurants, and catering businesses can also benefit from BlueCart’s features. Whether you wish to sell baked goods online or purchase various products from distributors, BlueCart is the right platform for you!