From small, local restaurants to five-star establishments, restaurants are in constant need of supplies. Restaurant supply stores cater to the needs of restaurant owners, offering affordable options for food, drinks, and equipment.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Start a restaurant supply business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Restaurant Supply Business
- Form your Restaurant Supply Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Restaurant Supply Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Restaurant Supply Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Restaurant Supply Business
- Get Restaurant Supply Business Insurance
- Define your Restaurant Supply Business Brand
- Create your Restaurant Supply Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your restaurant supply business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Restaurant Supply Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a restaurant supply business?
When mapping out your business plan, consider the inventory you wish to carry and define your target audience. What is the community currently lacking? What do they have an immediate need for? This will assist you in determining your budget.
Regardless of the size of your store or the types of products you plan to sell, you will need to budget for the following items:
- Space – Make sure your store’s location is conveniently located for restaurant owners. There should be ample parking and enough space for customers to get in and out with very little hassle.
- Inventory – Conduct as much research as possible to ensure you do not invest in items your customers do not need. Your stock will grow and vary, as time goes on and you gain a better understanding of your regular clients’ needs.
- Point of Sale Software – This will help you track and manage inventory, ring up orders, and identify trends.
- Cash registers – Make sure you have multiple open lanes, so that customers aren’t waiting at the check-out area.
- Furniture and Fixtures
- Marketing materials
- Insurance
- Payroll and related expenses
If you wish to open a large establishment, much like Restaurant Depot, you will need a large warehouse, of approximately 15,000 square feet. Fixtures alone can cost upwards of $400,000. Entrepreneurs just starting out are urged to start small, expanding their business as they get to know the needs of restaurant owners in the area. This will minimize start-up costs and help ensure long-term success. The price to purchase an already established business averages approximately $1.4 million.
What are the ongoing expenses for a restaurant supply business?
There are a number of ongoing expenses you should budget for each month. These include: lease payment, facility and equipment maintenance, utilities, and marketing. Your two largest expenses will be payroll and inventory, which will fluctuate, based on you and your clients’ immediate needs. It’s important to remember that payroll costs go beyond paying each employee an hourly wage. Workman’s Comp, benefits packages, and taxes should also be factored in.
Who is the target market?
Your target market is limited to those within the culinary community. This includes: restaurant owners/managers, culinary schools, cafeterias (both medical and schools), bars, caterers, bakeries, and coffee shops. Since food is perishable, many of your clients will visit you several days per week, if not every day.
How does a restaurant supply business make money?
This type of business generates money through the sale of each item. Some supply companies choose to focus solely on kitchen equipment, while others focus on the sale of food and drink. The largest suppliers offer a combination of both.
How much can you charge customers?
Prices vary, depending upon the item and your initial investment.
How much profit can a restaurant supply business make?
Realizing a significant profit the first year can be a challenge for any business. With proper research and a well thought-out business plan, your restaurant supply business has the potential to earn up to $55,000 in profit the first year. Depending upon your region’s needs, many restaurant suppliers earn six to seven figures in profit after their third anniversary.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Many restaurant supply companies choose to carve out their niche in one area. Those who realize significant short and long-term success are able to identify and meet the local restaurant owner’s needs. Expand your goods and services to include: equipment installation and/or repair and kitchen design, restaurant furniture, and even cooking classes. A delivery service is also a great way to attract new customers and increase your organization’s profit margins.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your restaurant supply business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your restaurant supply business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
Federal Business Licensing Requirements
There are federal regulations regarding what can and cannot be added to, sold as, and processed with food. Attached is a resource from the Food and Drug Administration detailing the process of starting a food business: How to Start a Food Business
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a restaurant supply business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Certificate of Occupancy
A restaurant supply business is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a restaurant supply business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your restaurant supply business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
Food Regulations
When selling food, you will need licensing from a local health department; all establishments serving food are required to pass a health inspection. Tips for faring well on a health inspections
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Restaurant Supply Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Restaurant Supply Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a restaurant supply business
When developing a marketing strategy, consider how you can directly appeal to those you are trying to reach. Advertisements in newsletters and magazines geared towards those in the food industry is an effective place to start. Those realizing the greatest success aren’t afraid to pound the pavement, visiting businesses within the community that you wish to cater to. An informative website with a strong social media presence is also a great way to expand your reach, potentially selling some of your products online.
How to keep customers coming back
Since the bulk of your business will be on a local level, delivering strong customer service should be an integral part of your customer retention strategy. If your business delivers quality products, with a friendly staff and short wait times, word of mouth will spread and your reputation within the community will blossom.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Are you passionate and knowledgeable about the food industry, but lack the desire to own your own restaurant? Do you get enjoyment from trying out the latest kitchen “gadget,” often feeling inspired to pass that enthusiasm on to others within the industry? If so, opening a restaurant supply store could be the change you have been seeking in your life.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a restaurant supply business?
A restaurant supply store team handles a number of activities from day to day. Inventory must be closely watched to ensure your customers have the supplies they need, when they need them. Since the restaurant industry fluctuates seasonally, inventory should be closely monitored to meet these oscillating demands. To ensure your customers gain access to quality products regularly, the shelves must be stocked and inventory should be rotated on a daily basis. Additionally, relationships with distributors must be fostered, ensuring your clients have access to the very best product, at the very best price.
Since customer service is of the utmost importance, you and your staff should be on the floor, ringing up customer orders and meeting any direct questions and/or concerns. As part of your customer service strategy, your team should also consistently remain abreast of the latest food, libation, and equipment trends, passing this knowledge on to customers whenever relevant. Developing and maintaining a quality marketing strategy is also critical to your business’ success, as this ensures you consistently reach both current and prospective customers.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful restaurant supply business?
The key to long-term success in this industry is remaining abreast of the current trends. This includes everything from cooking techniques, to equipment and food trends. As the owner of a restaurant supply store, your goal should be to consistently learn and grow, encouraging others in related industries to do the same. Additionally, your role as the owner will require you to build and nurture relationships with both suppliers and the individuals with buying power at your local food establishments. This requires a personable demeanor and a deep understanding of their dynamic needs. Joining your state’s restaurant association is an effective way to develop relationships on a local level. Membership with the National Restaurant Association is an effective way to get involved on a larger scale.
What is the growth potential for a restaurant supply business?
While it is challenging to find long-term success in the restaurant industry, there will always be a great number of customers to cater to in the restaurant supply business. Provided you deliver consistent, quality products, there is the potential for significant growth, with many opening franchises across the country. The key to getting started and expanding quickly is to identify areas that have a direct need and furnishing those needs affordably.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a restaurant supply business?
Prior to opening your doors, start the process of building relationships with those in the community that could most use your service. By doing so, they will remember you when a need arises. Additionally, make sure your shop’s policies are clearly defined and posted for everyone to see.
How and when to build a team
Managing this type of establishment requires a team of employees prior to opening day. Make sure you have ample staff, qualified to stock shelves, run the cash registers, and assist customers with any questions or concerns they might have. Once the store is firmly established, you will want to consider hiring a store manager, as well as a marketing team and accounting specialist.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
National Restaurant Association