Restaurant tableware suppliers and products are abundant. Supplies for restaurant tableware is a buyer's market in terms of choice in product and prices. Commercial tableware runs the gamut of those heavy, unbreakable, white dishes, to top name dinnerware brands that also design for the food industry.

Supplies for restaurant tableware can be found in a one-stop wholesaler or a smaller company without as many products. Keeping abreast of the food service industry is helpful, too. Industry magazines rate manufacturers' products for quality and will also direct you to the wholesaler you can buy it from.

1. Supplies for restaurant flatware and restaurant plates are generally found under the category of "Food Service Equipment and Supplies."

2. Restaurant wholesale suppliers deal in hotel dinnerware, restaurant silverware and wholesale tableware that are made to withstand restaurant usage.

3. Shop around before buying, because not only do you want to take advantage of competing prices, but many of these companies will give you a break on shipping.

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Find wholesale supplies for restaurant tableware

The food and beverage industry is a very competitive market. Buying wholesale restaurant dinnerware and restaurant flatware can bring you good prices because of the competition. Wholesale dishes, in a wide range of styles, are available from major restaurant equipment suppliers.

I recommend: Restaurant Source supplies restaurant dinnerware from major manufacturers, some of them high end. Central Restaurant Products is another source for restaurant equipment and it, too, provides many choices for wholesale plates.

Get more than the 'basic' restaurant tableware supplies

Tableware and flatware supplies are not all the same. Restaurants, depending on their niche, might buy from different suppliers for their restaurant plates and flatware. But there are big suppliers who sell more than your 'basic' tableware at good cost.

I recommend: Instawares sells very nice brands of restaurant plates including BIA Corden Bleu China and World Cuisine China. There is a lot to choose from. Bryan China is another find -- it supplies both wholesale and custom restaurant plates, providing choices beyond the basic restaurant plates and flatware.

Customize your supplies of restaurant tableware

Alongside the behemoth suppliers, there are smaller suppliers. These suppliers offer selected brands with good reputations for style and design. These providers also offer good customer service and pricing.

I recommend: Edward Don does not sell everything under the sun--it provides a select group of supplies that are restaurant quality. It supplies economically priced dinnerware and flatware of quality, as well as restaurant quality items with a bit more oomph! Wares Direct supplies the award-winning World Tableware brands of plates and flatware.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Supplies for restaurant tableware and wholesale dishes need to be replaced over time. Check with manufacturers on the expected life cycle for these products.

It is no secret that we eat with our eyes first. So buying restaurant tableware that compliments your menu dishes is a worthy investment. Restaurant tableware comes in all shapes, sizes and styles. Restaurant plates, bowls and other tableware should match one another, to give table settings a clean, coordinated look.

Along with attractive commercial tableware, good quality restaurant flatware goes a long way in making a good impression with customers.

Here are three questions to ask yourself before buying restaurant tableware:

1. Is the restaurant tableware durable enough to withstand the rigors of a commercial dishwashing machine?
2. Is it attractive? Will the restaurant plates make an impression on customers?
3. Will it coordinate with the rest of the restaurant décor?

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Select restaurant tableware that coordinates with your restaurant

If your restaurant serves Mexican food, look for designs with South-of-the-Border flair, such as chili pepper motifs or designs in bright, southwestern colors. The same goes for restaurants with Italian themes or Chinese themes. Look for colors or patterns that will enhance the overall look of your restaurant, not just the food itself.

I recommend: J. Richards & Company has a large selection of wholesale dishes, in a huge assortment of colors and patterns, ranging from simple to complex. The Restaurant Source is popular vendor of restaurant dinnerware.

Outfit your catering business with wholesale tableware

No matter if you own just a catering business or a restaurant that provides catering services, you will need catering tableware. This includes everything from plates and restaurant flatware to serving utensils and chaffing dishes. Most catering tableware is white or ivory, to coordinate with all types of catering events. It is best to keep your catering dishes separate from your regular restaurant silverware and tableware, to keep proper track of inventory.

I recommend: Libby offers a complete line of catering tableware, for both restaurants and hotels. Packard China offers a beautiful array of high quality dinnerware for restaurants.

Save money buying restaurant tableware in bulk

There are two main benefits of wholesale dishes, when bought in large lots: They are less expensive and you will have plenty of matching place settings. You can also save money by buying used wholesale dishes from restaurant equipment dealers and at auctions.

I recommend: Find restaurant wholesale dishes at The Homer Laughlin China Company.

Compliment your tableware with restaurant quality linens

Nothing improves a table setting better than a crisp linen tablecloth and napkins. Restaurant linens come in handy everyday and for special occasions, such as Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Select white or ivory linens that will match a variety of tableware.

I recommend: Gary Manufacturing offers a wide variety of restaurant table linens. Linen Company sells linens for restaurant tables at wholesale prices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Do not try to substitute domestic plates and silverware for durable restaurant tableware. Most dishes sold for home use cannot withstand the heavy wear and tear of a busy restaurant and will soon chip and crack, making them unacceptable to use in a table setting.

Making the most of restaurant tableware is a way of providing ambience and cohesion to your restaurant interior. Restaurant tableware is secondary to food and should not take precedence over it. But a nice presentation on the appropriate dishes with appealing restaurant flatware heightens the dining experience. Even wholesale dishes can make for an attractive and beckoning table for your customers.

Restaurant tableware can be fun but it is always about cost, service and durability. Buyers have a huge range of products and companies to work with. Working with restaurant suppliers, and also an interior designer, will help you make the most of restaurant tableware while sticking to a budget.

1. Awards are given for best tabletop every year in different restaurant categories — from small restaurants to banquet halls. But owners do not have to pay a lot of money to create a look.

2. Making the most of restaurant tableware requires owners and managers to assess food, lighting and clientele. Wholesale sellers will work with you to accommodate your budget.

3. Higher-end food businesses can use tableware as a marketing feature and create outstanding tabletops by going to a variety of suppliers to create the perfect look.

Action Steps
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Research suppliers to find the perfect restaurant dinnerware

Industry resources are a good way to research restaurant tableware. If you are starting out in the food industry, there is a lot to choose from in terms of restaurant dinnerware. Not only do industry-based resources keep you abreast of current design trends in restaurants, but they often provide directories for suppliers and products.

I recommend: FoodService Equipment and Supply magazine is a source for anyone looking to buy dinnerware, flatware, glassware and linens. This industry magazine gives a product and supplier directory that is a great help in looking at the companies you want to work with. National Restaurant Association is another resource for trends in restaurants and it, too, provides a directory of suppliers.

Use one supplier for all your restaurant dinnerware

Big suppliers of restaurant tabletop products carry everything! Working with one supplier can bring costs breaks, better service and reliability because they will want to build a strong relationship with you.

I recommend: Big Tray supplies everything -- from kitchen equipment to napkins. It has a nice selection of basic wholesale dishes and flatware and even some higher quality silver-plated flatware. Free shipping is offered with larger orders. CPAPC sells restaurant dishes wholesale in a variety of styles, as well as all other tabletop necessities.

Get fancy with restaurant tableware

Make your restaurant glow using a creative, design-driven tableware setting. There are many ways to give a restaurant an upscale look that increases customers' food experience. Some styles of restaurant dinnerware and restaurant software might be more expensive, yet are cost-effective if it brings in customers.

I recommend: Homer Laughlin China specializes in restaurant plates, so you can be sure they withstand the rigors of restaurant service; however their style suggests personal, custom design. Villeroy & Boch provides elegant restaurant plates and restaurant flatware.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Commercial tableware is a marketing tool. Just as a beautiful advertisement entices buyers, appealing tabletops entice diners. Restaurant tableware can enhance food presentation and not break your budget.

Restaurant tableware refers to dinnerware, flatware and serving dishes. It is virtually anything placed on the table, so knowing different terms associated with each is important in the overall understanding of tableware for your business. Dinnerware and flatware come in many shapes, sizes and designs, but they are also made from many different materials. Some are designed for beauty and elegance while others are designed for durability and endurance. Learning the types of materials and designs can help you choose the right tableware for your restaurant or kitchenwares business.

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Vitrified

Vitrified china is dinnerware that has been fired at a higher temperature, making it less porous. A vitrified piece of dinnerware will not absorb moisture, and thus prevents expanding and contracting. A vitrified piece of china will not crack due to change in temperature and liquid absorbency.

I recommend: J. Richards and Company explains vitrified china. The company also gives other good restaurant tips.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is another important material to look for in dinnerware. The mix of polyester and carbon plastics forms a virtually unbreakable dinnerware.

I recommend: The Restaurant Source explains polycarbonate dinnerware. It also sells many different pieces made of stain-resistant polycarbonate material.

Tempered or toughened glass

When it comes to glass dinnerware, serving dishes or drinking glasses, knowing the difference between tempered, or toughened glass, and non-tempered is important. Toughened glass has been reheated, and then cooled down quickly, which causes a tougher glass but also makes it less dangerous if accidentally broken. The toughened glass, also called tempered glass, is break-resistant, but if it does break, it will crack into much smaller pieces.

I recommend: Read the definition of tempered, or toughened, glass at Arcoroc Professional.

Stamped or forged knives

Forged knives are made by pouring hot steel into a knife mold. The mold is then smoothed down and the blade is ground to a sharp point. A stamped knife is cut from a metal sheet using a stamp, and then ground to get rid of rough edges. A stamped knife is usually less bulky than a forged knife, but it is also less durable.

I recommend: Read the stamped and forged knives definition and other flatware and dinnerware definitions in the Oneida glossary.

Beverage spoon

The beverage spoon, also referred to as an iced-tea spoon, is a teaspoon or smaller-size spoon with a longer handle used for stirring drinks in tall glasses.

I recommend: DinnerPlates defines the beverage spoon and other flatware items used in restaurants.

Holloware

Holloware is defined as any piece of service ware used to hold something. Examples include tea pots, candy dishes, service trays, platters and even ashtrays.

I recommend: Read the definition of "holloware" and see many examples of the tableware at Imperial Half Bushel.