Restaurants, hotels and the myriad other businesses that offer food and beverages as part of their services rely on Illinois foodservice distributors to provide them with quality items to help their businesses run smoothly. Illinois foodservice wholesalers offer everything from fresh produce, quality meat and frozen items to restaurant booths, appliances and buffet stations. If this cog in the foodservice process breaks down, a restaurant will be hard-pressed to provide its customers with the service and food they’ve come to expect.

Some Illinois restaurant distributors provide equipment, supplies and food, while others focus on just the food or equipment. Determine your needs before you start shopping around for foodservice distributors and wholesalers in Illinois. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Research foodservice wholesalers in Illinois to find good prices on the items you need most to run your business.

2. Explore organic foodservice distributors in Illinois to tap into this growing market.

3. Find Illinois foodservice equipment suppliers that specialize in supplying restaurants with goods and equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out items from Illinois foodservice wholesalers

Illinois foodservice suppliers can provide everything you need to run your restaurant or other foodservice business, from fresh produce and dry and canned goods to cookware, appliances and servingware. What's more, local restaurant distributors in Illinois often offer regional products that your customers may recognize and come back for.

I recommend: Schneider’s Quality Meats specializes in fresh beef and pork as well as award-winning sausages and smoked meats. Kohl Wholesale has a wide range of products from frozen, dairy and produce items to dry goods, kitchenware and disposables.

Consider organic Illinois foodservice distributors

Recent studies have shown that the demand for organic food has doubled in the past 10 years and is expected to increase that much or more in the next 10. Get a piece of this pie by including items from organic foodservice companies in Illinois in your foodservice offerings.

I recommend: Woodland Foods has an excellent selection of organic products including organic mushrooms, lentils and cornmeal, among other items. Blackwing Quality Meats is a leading provider of antibiotic- and hormone-free organic meats. The distributor offers a line of healthy red meats, poultry meats and other products.

Zero in on Illinois restaurant equipment suppliers

Some companies cater specifically to restaurants by offering anything and everything a restaurant may need, whether the establishment falls under the category of fine dining, buffet, diner or bar and grill. Establish relationships with these restaurant equipment suppliers in Illinois to get the service and items necessary for your business.

I recommend: Gateway Restaurant Supply offers a range of commercial kitchen equipment and restaurant furnishings. The company can even design your commercial kitchen and install equipment. Zepole Supply Co. has new and used restaurant equipment, including cooking equipment, tabletop items and kitchenware.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When researching foodservice distributors and wholesalers in Illinois, choose ones that can provide you with the quantities you need in a timely and affordable fashion.