Restaurants, hotels and the myriad other businesses that offer food and beverages as part of their services rely on suppliers of food and restaurant equipment in Wisconsin to provide them with quality items to help their businesses run smoothly. Restaurant supply in Wisconsin covers 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 Wisconsin restaurant supply companies 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 in Wisconsin. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Explore regional foodservice distributors and wholesalers in Wisconsin that offer local products and personalized customer service.

2. Consider national suppliers with local foodservice distribution centers in Wisconsin for cost savings.

3. Research local suppliers of restaurant equipment in Wisconsin to outfit your entire business with quality supplies.

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

Check out regional foodservice distributors and wholesalers in Wisconsin

Wisconsin restaurant suppliers provide a selection of brand-name and local items from which to choose. What's more, because the companies are local, you can often get swift, more personalized service, which is a godsend in the hustle and bustle of the foodservice business.

I recommend: Valley Bakers carries staple items like flour and sugar as well as frozen dough, condiments and candy. IFD distributes frozen foods, seafood, meat and other foodservice products to more than 30 counties in Wisconsin.

Opt for national suppliers over local foodservice distributors and wholesalers in Wisconsin

If you can't find what you're looking for from one of the foodservice distributors in Wisconsin, consider one of the big national foodservice suppliers. They have a reputation of getting quality items to customers across the country within a reasonable time and at reasonable prices. You may not get the personal care you would from a local supplier, however.

I recommend: Gordon Food Service, which touts that it is the largest, privately held food service distributor in North America, offers juices, baked goods, fresh produce and other products in parts of Wisconsin. Reinhart Foodservice offers more than 14,000 products from a variety of exclusive national brands, such as SmartSource, Trifoglio and Markon.

Find suppliers of restaurant equipment in WI

While the food may be what the customer remembers most, all of the equipment used to store, prepare and serve that food is just as important. That's why restaurants and other foodservice companies should take the time to buy restaurant equipment in Wisconsin that is the best quality--at the best price, of course--from top-notch restaurant suppliers in Wisconsin.

I recommend: Monitowoc distributes beverage dispensing machines, ice machines and walk-in refrigerators to restaurants and other foodservice companies. Fein Brothers can provide everything from bakery and cooking equipment to furniture and fixtures.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Offering customers items from local foodservice distributors and wholesalers in Wisconsin shows that you support local businesses, which may be a plus for customers.