Sugar Pricing and Costs

Plan your budget to include a variety of sugars and sugar containers

Purchasing sugar for your business or restaurant is an ongoing expense. The cost of this condiment varies greatly depending on the type of sugar and the packaging you choose. Sugar manufacturers produce various types of sugars from brown sugar to confectioners’ sugar to granulated sugar, each of which has a different purpose.

When you plan your budget to include sugar, you have to consider not only the cost of sugar but also the cost of containers to place the sugar in. Check out these suggestions about sugar pricing and costs to help you plan appropriately.

1. Use bulk sugar for recipes and refilling sugar containers.

2. Offer sugar cubes as part of a coffee or tea service station.

3. Minimize the risk of germs by offering sugar packets.

4. Keep the sugar contained and contaminate free by using sugar containers.

 

Purchase bulk sugar

Bulk sugar, often sold in 25 pound or 50 pound bags and/or boxes, is for use in restaurants for cooking and refilling sugar containers. This method is the least expensive offered by the sugar industry.
Try: Honeyville Grain is a sugar distributor that offers bulk packages of sugar. Prices start at around $50 for a 50-pound bag of sugar. Edible Nature sells kosher granulated sugar. A 25-pound box is priced around $60.

Consider sugar cubes

Sugar cubes are a good option for businesses that serve coffee in a reception area or any other public area. These cubes don't require a spoon. Many companies offer sugar cubes on a platter with a small pair of tongs to pick them up.
Try: CoffeeIcon.com sells sugar products, including sugar cubes. A single box of sugar cubes from this company is under $3. AllinKosher.com is a sugar supplier that offers boxes of kosher sugar for under $2 per box.

Buy packets from sugar companies

If your company offers take out food or if you just don't want to deal with refilling sugar containers, sugar packets may be your answer. These packets offer an individual serving size of sugar in each pack. The downside to these is that they are slightly more expensive than bulk sugar or sugar cubes. Additionally, some organizations believe the packaging isn't environmentally friendly.
Try: ReStockIt.com sells wholesale sugar packets for under $10 per case. This company offers quantity discounts. Sam's Club sells sugar packets by the case. Expect to pay around $15 per case from this company.

Factor in the price of sugar holders

When you place sugar on a table or a counter, you need a sugar holder or caddy to keep the sugar in. These can be large containers that allow the user to pour the sugar out. They can also be small, decorative containers that hold sugar packets. When you order containers for sugar, information including the type of sugar they will hold is useful to ensure you purchase the most appropriate holders.
Try: WEBstaurant Store sells restaurant wares, including tabletop sugar dispensers. These items are between $2 and $3. However, this is before quantity discounts. InstaWares offers a varied selection of sugar caddies, including metal, plastic, glass and ceramic. Prices start under $1 for plastic caddies and go higher than $60 for metal and glass. This company sells caddies by the case to help you save money.

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