Food and Beverage Distributors and Wholesalers in Tennessee Key Terms

Learn about some terms associated with food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Tennessee
By Jason Wood Food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Tennessee are a huge part of the commercial restaurant and municipal kitchen business. Through the products they produce and distribute, they keep kitchens stocked across the state of Tennessee.

Take the time to learn about a few of the terms you might come across when working with Tennessee food and beverage wholesalers and distributors. Here are some of those terms along with some resourceful links to help get you started.

Brand development

Brand development refers to the process of developing the recipe, packaging, associated graphics and logos in relation to a certain product. In terms of Tennessee food and beverage wholesalers and distributors, many of these companies have separate brand development departments, which work to bring products to market using the food they buy wholesale and distribute.
Try:  Check out the website for Choice Food Group for more information on brand development.

Market reports

Market reports cover everything from the wholesale prices of food to the consumption patterns of the consumer. Market reports are created every week by the American Restaurant Association and utilized by wholesalers and distributors to spot trends and keep on top of prices.
Try:  Go to the website for Sysco Knoxville. A food based distributor and wholesaler located in Tennessee, they also offer further information on the market reports on their parent website. Simply select a category of market report you'd like to read about.

Cold storage, refrigerated warehouse

Cold storage, in terms of food wholesale and distributors, is a location where the temperature is kept in the 40 degree range so that food does not spoil. Many food distributors in Tennessee have refrigerated warehouses or cold storage facilities that keep perishable products from spoiling.
Try:  Go to the website for The Bun Company for further information on what cold storage or a refrigerated warehouse entails.

Concept stores

Concept stores refer to a retail location that has an underlying theme which the customer can easily identify. For instance, a convenience store may have a "grab and go" concept where all of the food and beverages can be quickly bought by the customer. Food distributors and wholesalers in Tennessee often work with clients developing concept stores so that they can tailor the food they are supplying to fit that concept.
Try:  Go to the website for Associated Wholesale Grocers. They have a distribution location in Tennessee and specialize in developing concept stores with clients. Simply click on one of their many concept stores for additional information about what that specific concept store entails.

Pallet calculator

A pallet calculator is an instrument found on many wholesale food and distribution websites that allows the client to determine the amount of pallets that will be delivered to their location based on the size of the order. By entering the item and quantity, the pallet calculator will automatically enter the associated weight and space of those items to determine the amount of pallets.
Try:  Visit the website for Bake Crafters Food Company in Tennessee for an example and instructions of a working pallet calculator.

Private label

Private label refers to process of partnering with a food wholesaler and distributor and creating your own product line that carries a label with your company name on it. The client works with the wholesale and distributor to fine tune the recipe for mass production and it is then produced with your very own "private label."
Try:  Check out the website for Blue Planet foods in Tennessee for an additional explanation about how a private label partnership operates.