Single-Use Foodservice Supplies

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Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Single-Use Foodservice Supplies

If you sell food and beverages or operate a catering service, you may benefit from keeping single-use food-service supplies on hand. They reduce the need for dishwashing and provide a carryout option.

Check your area for businesses that specialize in food-service supplies. Their prices may be higher than those of an online company, but the items are readily available and easier to assess for quality. Online companies that sell single-use food-service supplies include FoodserviceDirect.com and SupplyHero.com. Available items include paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, foil sheets and napkins.

CateringSupplies.com offers both large and small quantities of supplies, including single-service items such as bags, paper doilies and a variety of food wraps. If you use certain items on occasion and not in your everyday operation, purchasing from this company may help you save space and money. For example, you can purchase a 1,000-pc. box of heavy wax paper for $7.50 instead of ordering 24,000 pieces.

You can also save money by opting for plain items instead of those with colorful designs. Determine the importance of aesthetic appeal. Wowing people with an artful display may improve their perception of your business, depending on your industry and customer base. However, that may be unnecessary if the items are quickly used and discarded.

For more information on single-use food-service supplies, visit the links on this Business.com page.

Pricing and Costs of Single-Use Foodservice Supplies

Operating a food service business or restaurant means you probably rely heavily on single-use foodservice supplies for takeout orders or catering. With increasing emphasis on healthy eating and portion control, you might notice a growing request for "doggy bags," too. When everyone seems to be cutting back on eating out, you, too, must pay closer attention to your budget. Buying your disposable restaurant supply items can save you money when purchasing by the case and in bulk.

You can get a pretty good price on most one-time-use foodservice supplies, so don't break the bank every time you stock up. This guide looks at pricing and costs of single-use foodservice supplies in four categories:

1. Single-use food service supplies like containers, carriers and cups for liquids.

2. Disposable plastic food containers.

3. Restaurant supply disposables like utensils.

4. One-time use foodservice supplies like disposable gloves.

Order disposable coffee containers and other drink containers or cups in bulk

You may sell hundreds of drinks each week, so you'll usually fare better ordering the largest quantity practical for your business for the best pricing and to avoid rush shipment fees when your stock runs low unexpectedly.
Try: The WEBstaurant Store carries a large selection of restaurant supply disposable containers for holding large quantities of coffee. For disposable coffee containers, prices range from just over $30 for a five-pack of 160-ounce coffee take-out containers to nearly $110 for a case of 10 3-gallon disposable beverage dispensers. Visit Quikstock.com for a huge selection of cups and lids. Generally, hot drink cups are less expensive than cold drink cups and paper cups cost the least. Unfortunately, it costs more to “be green” since you’ll pay more for recycled and biodegradable cups, which run fairly close together in price. When comparing prices, note Qwikstock's prices already include cost of delivery.

Stock up on plastic disposable food containers and carry-out bags

Besides simply loving your food, many customers will ask for containers to take home leftovers so they truly get their money's worth.
Try: Plastic Container City carries a full line of clear plastic take-out containers for less than $1 apiece. For minimum order of $25, purchase exactly the number of plastic nacho trays with dip compartments, bowls, plates, take-out trays and hoagie containers you need. Look for single-use food supplies like soup containers for take-out or doggy bags from Food Packaging Warehouse. For less than a quarter each, you can choose from 12 to 30-ounce black plastic bowls with lids in cases of 300. The company places no minimum order restrictions and guarantees wholesale pricing. For restaurant doggy bags, contact RestaurantBags.com for its bag pricing structure. If you prefer not to buy in bulk because you can't store so many bags, the company will ship them out to you as you need them.

Keep plenty of single-use foodservice supplies like utensils and stirrers on hand

You'll go through stirrers, forks and spoons fast, so don't avoid bulk purchases just because you can get fewer for a low price.
Try: At BigTray, you won't break your budget buying sip/stirrers -- a case of 1,000 costs under $4. Find disposable plastic cutlery sold alone or in prewrapped sets at Instawares with prices just under $35 for cases of 250 to less than $90 for a case of 1,000.

Purchase foodservice disposables like food-handling gloves in bulk

Don't forget foodservice disposables like gloves to help protect you, your customers and your food.
Try: You'll find a huge price range for latex gloves. For around $50, order a case of 100 food grade latex gloves from Gloves Online; Order a box of 100 wrist length, USDA accepted, disposable latex gloves from Lab Safety Supply for less than $10.

Take a good look at the minimums required to order many single-use food supplies and disposable restaurant supplies. Some companies won't sell you fewer than 6,000 napkins, while others will require a one-case minimum. A few will even allow customers to purchase less-than-full-case quantities.