Campbells Snacks - Stack Shelves with Craveable Flavors - banner - both - 05.14 - 07.31.25

Simplot - Delivery Solved - Conquest Fries - skyscraper - both - 08.20

Cargill - Truvia Serve America's Best-Selling Stevia Sweetener - skyscraper - both - 03.19

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - banner - both - 04.19

Banner Ad - 3 - OE - Operator - supersized

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - banner - both - 09.24

Basic American Shred Competition operator banner ad - 12.17

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Dress Your Table for Success - banner - both - 04.18

Global Fusion Operator Promo - OE - skyscraper - 05.26 - 08.24.25

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - Ease Your Operator's Kitchen - banner - both - 02.20

General Mills - Gluten Free Options - banner - both - 03.18

Simplot Pineapple Perfected - RoastWorks - banner - both - 08.20

Sugar Foods ecoStick Dispensers Beverage Station - skyscraper - both -10.16

TNT Burgers - Learn More - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Sugar Foods - Turn Up the Beets Crispy Beets - skyscraper - both - 05.18

Simplot Delivery Solved - Conquest Fries - banner - both - 08.20

Indiana Packers - Vertical Integration - banner - both - 07.21

Rich's Plant Based and Gluten Free Crusts - banner - both - 07.18

Rich's Plant Based Cooking Creme - banner - both - 02.18

Sunny Fresh Egg Bake Bites - banner - both - 03.23

Dixie Ultra Surface Systems - skyscraper - both - 02.23

Cargill - Truvia Serve Americas Best Selling Stevia Sweetener - banner - both - 03.19

Banner Ad - 4 - PICs - Operator - supersized

Campbells Brands Make Irresistible Flavor a Menu Staple - banner - both - 05.14 - 07.31.25

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - Now Serving Flame-Seared Perfection - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Performance Dairy Clarified Butter - banner - both - 04.24

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt skyscraper with chef - both - 04.23

Sunny Fresh Egg Bake Bites - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Reel in Greater Appeal - skyscraper - both - 10.22

Honest Earth - Better Potatoes for a Better World - skyscraper - both - 05.23

Nestle - Hot Cocoa Bulk and Single-Serve Packets - skyscraper - both - 09.21

Seafood is Better - skyscraper - both - 05.21

Sunny Fresh Bacon and Cheese EggStravanganza - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Performance Dairy Craveable Flavor and Time Savings - banner - both - 04.24

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Beautiful Inside and Out - skyscraper - both - 04.18

Jennie-O Take Burgers Over the Top with Turkey - skyscraper - both - 03.20

Wild Alaska Burgers - banner - both - 04.25

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Full Case of Bacon No Grease - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Seafood is Better - banner - both - 05.21

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner - both - 04.23

Sunny Fresh Egg Patty and French Toast - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Simplot Conquest Crispy Potato Strips - banner - both - 01.20

Skyscraper Ad - MM -  Beat - Operator

Sugar Foods Barista Blend - banner - both - 04.17

Banner Ad - 1 - MM - Recipes - Operator - supersized

Nestle Stouffer White Mac and Cheese - banner - both - 08.18

Dan's Prize Pot Roast, Prime Rib, Short Ribs Time-Intensive Proteins Made Easy - banner - both - 04.20

Nestle Stouffers White Cheddar Mac and Cheese - skyscraper - both - 08.18

Grab 'n Go! Anytime. Every Time - banner - both - 07.23

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Customize Creamy Comfort - skyscraper - both - 04.19

We're All in On Chicken - banner - both - 04.01 - 07.01.25

Basic American Crispy Craveable Operator banner ad - 12.17

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - banner - both - 01.20

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Dress Your Table for Success - skyscraper - both - 04.18

Dan's Prize Sliced Meats Convenience - banner - both - 04.20

Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Products - Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - banner - both - 02.20

Sugar Foods Deliver It Better - skyscraper - both - 04.20

Campbells Snacks Fulfill All  Needs with Ease - skyscraper - both - 05-14 - 07.31.25

Skyscraper Ad - MM - Heat - Operator

Butterball - Quality, Versatility, and Consistency - banner - both - 07.19

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Style and Substance - skyscraper - both - 04.18

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Meats - Unparalleled Flavor - banner - both - 02.20

Tork Compact Foodservice Cloths - banner - both - 07.17

Simplot RoastWorks - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Simplot RoastWorks - banner - both - 01.20

Tork Compact Foodservice Cloths - skyscraper - both - 07.17

Performance Dairy Extra Melt - banner - both - 04.24

Dan's Prize Pulled Meats Simplify the Kitchen - banner - both - 04.20

Sugar Foods - Add Savory Beet Notes Crispy Beets skyscraper - both - 05.18

Fabri-Kal - Packaging solutions for environmental and off-premise needs - skyscraper - both - 11.19

Wave of Inspiration - skyscraper - both - 05.22

A Family of Fine Cheeses - skyscraper - both - 08.22

Essity - Impress Your Guests - banner - OE - 03.17

Tork Free Clarity Foam Soap Starter Kit - banner - OE - 06.23

Wild Alaska Salmon Burger - skyscraper - both - 04.25

Simplot Harvest Fresh Avocado - banner - both - 01.20

Chef-mate We Can Better - skyscraper - both - 06.23

Dixie Ultra Surface Systems - banner - both - 02.23

Performance Plus Food Safety - skyscraper - both - 09.21

Kraft - Bold Flavor, New Home. - skycraper - both - 08.22

Nestle Stouffer's Comfort Foods Beyond Compare - video - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Simplot Sidewinders - Make Waves - skyscraper - both - 01.20

McCain - Tactical Takeout Webinar - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Banner Ad - 2 - MM - Food calculator - Operator - Supersized

Wild Alaska Salmon Burgers - banner - both - 04.25

Rich's Plant-Based - Good Things Grow - skyscraper - both - 11.20

Indiana Packers - Vertical Integration - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Essity - Clean Dry Hands - banner - OE - 03.17

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - skyscraper - both - 09.24

Nestle Minors Slow-Simmered Stock - Free Sample - banner - both - 02.20

Tyson - Wright Brand Bacon - skyscraper - both - 04.21

Performance Dairy Convenience and Consistency - banner - both - 04.24

Campbells Snacks Spice Up Your Shelves - skyscraper - both - 05.14 - 07.31.25

Cargill - Truvia Sweet Customer Satisfaction Naturally - skyscraper - both - 03.19

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - skyscraper - both - 04.19

Sugar Foods ecoStick Less Waste - banner - both - 10.16

Fabri-Kal - Packaging solutions for environmental and off-premise needs - banner - both - 11.19

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner with chef - both - 04.23

Sunny Fresh Egg Patty and French Toast - banner - both - 03.23

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - banner - both - 07.21

Lasting relations are built on mutual respect and understanding that both the operator and the distributor sales rep (DSR) need to gain. The operator brings increased sales to the vendor and the vendor offers a variety of services in addition to price points.
Operators should try to build solid relationships with the vendors they've chosen and to always maintain open communication.
There are four values that drive a successful relationship between operators and vendors.
1. Time. Can the vendor deliver the product when needed? Imagine a ski resort with a full mountain that doesn't get their Friday delivery. Time value can also work for the operator. Most facilities won't receive deliveries during the lunch service for obvious reasons. This means idle trucks and drivers, which all cost the vendor money. If you're a dinner house or late-night concept and can receive deliveries in that midday window it increases your attractiveness to the vendor.
2. Place. Can the vendor get the delivery to the necessary location? The ski resort would be a great example here as well, but place value is also important to large on-site caterers and operators in remote locations.
3. Form. Is the vendor able to deliver products in the necessary form? This applies to everything from precut steaks to processed vegetables. As operators are faced with ever-increasing labor costs and a shortage of skilled employees form value is becoming more important. This is one of the areas where smaller local vendors may offer better options than the major players.
4. Information. For example, seek a salesperson that can give you information on the beef market or suggest alternative and less expensive options for your menu items. You might be surprised how knowledgeable DSRs are in regard to a number of matters, including food and market trends, as well as the best deals on quality products.
Source: RestaurantOwner.com

Lasting relations are built on mutual respect and understanding that both the operator and the distributor sales rep (DSR) need to gain.

Building Vendor Relationships

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Building Vendor Relationships