November 2023

Designing your commercial kitchen’s footprint can be confusing, overwhelming, and expensive if you aren’t aware of the options available. Restaurant owners or franchisees often use a foodservice equipment supply dealer or consolidator for their front or back of house needs. Most buyers are unaware there is another choice. Partnering with a manufacturer directly has many benefits that aren’t often realized. 

A customer buying directly is beneficial to the manufacturer, of course. Still, from an end-user perspective, the most significant value of this direct model is the ease of purchasing the client experiences. More manufacturers are pursuing a direct-to-customer model, which lowers costs, improves the customer experience, and increases brand loyalty. This path offers customers a new, more straightforward way to fulfill their commercial kitchen needs for the front and back of house.  

A few things to keep in mind: if you plan to buy directly, be sure your supplier has the right experience and processes to manufacture the materials you plan to incorporate into your space. Your supplier should have the proper facilities to deliver the necessary quality within the designated timeframe. A manufacturer lacking these credentials could be detrimental to your project.  

Here are a few reasons to consider when choosing a foodservice dealer or purchasing directly from a manufacturer.  

Lower cost 

One of the main advantages of buying directly from the manufacturer is receiving lower prices. The manufacturer controls the materials, processes, and production, and can pass down savings to the customer. 

Customization 

The customization factor often causes added challenges. When manufacturers deal directly with the customer, they can customize the product based on the project's need. Customers get to pick the products, materials, quality, etc., rather than what’s chosen by a foodservice dealer based on the budget allotted. A direct line of communication with the manufacturer reduces the possibility of error and ensures you get the right product to fit your needs. Personalizing your store maximizes workflow efficiencies and the footprint available, which translates to a positive experience for your customer. 

Quality control 

Partnering with a manufacturer reduces frustrations and allows more control over your projects as you scale. When you buy directly, you can participate in the design, engineering, and manufacturing process. An experienced manufacturer will have techniques in place to identify any quality issues during the manufacturing process to lower the risk of delivering defective products. They also usually have quality control teams and specialized training in place to ensure quality standards and safety procedures are met.  

Direct communication  

When buying from a foodservice dealer or supply company, you usually speak with them about questions or concerns you have about a product, which adds another layer to the conversation, likely resulting in extended communication periods. This is sometimes frustrating because dealers may not be familiar with the product or the manufacturing process. Buying directly from the manufacturer means having fewer people involved in the conversation, reducing the chance of miscommunication or misinterpretation of information. You also have access to first-hand information to make a well-informed decision and receive the best solution for your needs. The manufacturer knows the ins and outs of the product and can offer customers specialized advice or guidance throughout the process.  

Opportunity to consolidate vendors  

Choosing Elkay Interior Systems as your manufacturing partner means you can consolidate front and back of house needs with one supplier. All your needs are met with our capabilities because we manufacture several types of stainless steel products, offer design services, commercial furniture, and produce casegoods and millwork. Because we understand commercial environments, we craft our products with high-quality materials, finishes, and craftsmanship for durability and longevity. 

Responsiveness 

When choosing a manufacturer, you want to choose one with a proven record of service. While larger manufacturers may have the equipment to build what you want, they may be slow when it comes to responding to changes in your needs. It’s best to find a quality manufacturer that can meet your demands while being agile enough to customize your service.  

Ultimately, ordering straight from the manufacturer offers the benefit of lower costs, quality control, better customer service, and direct communication. These advantages give the customer a better purchasing experience and help to achieve their project’s success.  

About Elkay Interior Systems

Elkay Interior Systems (EIS) is a tight-knit team of industry-leading designers, commercial-grade manufacturers, innovative engineers, resourceful project managers, and sourcing experts committed to every stage of your project by guaranteeing quality and reliability. We stand out from the crowd with our 40+ years of global experience in the restaurant, hospitality, retail, and education markets. We believe in simplifying the complicated.