The Case for Outsourcing Purchasing

Owners of independent restaurants, inns and other food service businesses face many hurdles, including creating and maintaining purchasing, menu costing and control systems.  Until now, there have been limited choices available.  Many operations have ignored the need for an effective purchasing system.  Some have spent a great deal of time trying to track constantly changing prices with archaic “clipboard” systems or difficult to use computer spreadsheets instead of focusing on their core mission and business. They often view purchasing as a necessary evil, rather than an important opportunity to better serve their guests and add to the bottom line.

To operate any food service business the timely delivery of food and supplies is a necessity.  To run a successful and profitable operation food and supplies must be obtained in an efficient and cost effective manner.  In recent years, purchasing and food costing software for small and mid-size businesses has become functional and inexpensive.  While these products are billed as easy to use and a simple solution to the needs of the restaurant and food service operator, they still require substantial training, time and knowledge to operate properly. Many companies lack the financial or personnel resources to use even the simplest of these software products effectively.

Today there are literally millions of small to mid-size businesses that are either ignoring their procurement systems, can’t find and retain competent buyers, are overpaying for poor quality products, putting up with untimely service and making menu decisions with inaccurate or outdated information.

If you are not buying your food and supplies at the best possible price, then you are operating at a disadvantage and not putting your business in the best possible position to succeed.  You can be sure that the “chain” or big corporate restaurant next door is.

HSG has the Solution

HSG has developed a unique service to address the purchasing needs of independent restaurants, inns, clubs, hotels and other food service businesses. This service fulfills the business owner’s basic need for purchasing food and supplies in a timely, accurate, and cost effective manner. HSG provides a comprehensive, outsourced purchasing solution. We combine a seasoned team of purchasing professionals and the purchasing power of millions of dollars with state of the art computer software and tools to insure that our member clients get the products that they choose when and where they need them and at the lowest possible cost.  We remove the tedious and time consuming details from your work load.

Although many chefs and managers have the ability to buy food and supplies; what many lack is the expertise and time to do the job effectively.  HSG has created a solution that allows management to obtain the food and products they need to properly serve their guests without the tedious and time consuming paperwork or keypunching.  This saves the business owner time and money; gives them peace of mind that the purchasing is being done correctly, honestly and cost effectively.  This allows them the ability to concentrate on running their business and serving their guests.

Outsourced solutions from HSG are designed to provide businesses with a professional and knowledgeable purchasing solution at a minimal cost.

HSG will take control of your purchasing needs.

We will work with you and your key decision makers, reviewing each item that your operation uses.  We will make sure that you are using the items that best fill your needs.  HSG will help you evaluate your existing suppliers based on the quality, service and pricing that they are providing to you.  If necessary, we will help you choose new or additional suppliers who can better meet your particular needs.

You get better systems and experienced talent at a lower cost. Other benefits include:

Save money – in most instances HSG’s services cost less than hiring a full or part-time purchaser.  In addition, our clients don’t pay payroll taxes and fringe benefits for our services.

Continuity of service - we don’t call in sick, we will not leave for greener pastures. HSG is our member client’s business partner for as long as they need us.

Improved controls – by outsourcing your purchasing you will separate the purchasing and receiving functions lessening the risk of collusion and creating a documented trail of all purchases.

Save office expense - Because our clients don’t need an in-house purchasing staff, they can put that space to work in other ways to improve their bottom-line. 

Increase awareness – because we purchase food and supplies exclusively, HSG is well informed about new products and suppliers.  We keep chefs and managers up to date on all relevant new products and sources of supply.

Call us today and find out how Hospitality Services Group can help you keep more of your money.

Home | Your Bottom Line | HSG's Methods | F.A.Q. | Outsourcing | Recipe Management | Slide Show of HSG | HSG's People | Members

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter

Member New Hampshire
Lodging & Restaurant Association

© Copyright Hospitality Services Group of Bedford NH, Inc. 2001-5