The Food Services industry hosts a variety of establishments, including grocery stores, restaurants, and catering services, which is why OMG data ranks this industry as #4 on a list of key customer groups. With plenty of opportunities to seize, how can you accommodate this industry in an impactful way?
About Food Services
More and more states are lifting all restrictions on businesses, and establishments like restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are opening back up at full capacity after being closed due to the pandemic. The Food Services industry is making a strong comeback, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stating that restaurant employment continues to trend higher, adding a net 187,000 jobs in April.
As this industry begins to embrace the “new normal”, it’s vital for you, the distributor, to understand the various Food Services available to serve. This will not only expand your client book, but you’ll become a trusted source for helping these establishments thrive.
Consider servicing Food Services like:
- Restaurants
- Fast food
- Bars, breweries, and wineries
- Cafes, bistros, and diners
- Catering
- Grocery stores
- Stadium concessions
- Buffets
- Vending companies
- Carryout operations
- Bakeries
- Coffee shops
- School, hospital, and corporate cafeterias
- Personal chefs
- Food trucks
- Food manufacturers
Online Store Use Cases
Although Food Services umbrella many establishments, a cookie-cutter, predictable approach will limit your ability to successfully service each area. Whether you’re working with restaurants or a catering company, each one functions differently and requires online stores with varying features and capabilities.
Here are a few of the most common use cases we’ve seen for online stores focusing on the Food Services industry:
New Hires: Offer newly hired employees logoed, moisture-wicking polos, aprons, and non-slip shoes to help them stay comfortable and safe during the long, tiring shifts.
Business Items: Streamline the restocking of branded pens, napkins, business cards, and other useful items that help market their services and boost awareness.
Merchandise Sales: Help loyal customers support and represent their favorite local hangouts and shops with logoed apparel and products for everyday use.
Employee Appreciation: Reward employees with a holiday store or employee appreciation gifts after a well-deserved quarter or year.
Fundraising Opportunities: Support an establishment in raising funds for important causes by offering fundraising opportunities in a store.
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Product Suggestions
Employees in the Food Services industry are up on their feet for long hours. They require a high level of comfort that will keep them moving in a fast-paced environment and upbeat in front of paying customers. Be sure to incorporate apparel that is moisture-wicking and lightweight, as well as hard goods that will make their days easier.
The following products are top-sellers across all online stores within the Food Services industry, according to OMG data:
- Polos
- Server and chef aprons
- Tri-blend tees
- Pens
- Hats
Additional products that could be considered for these online stores include:
- Cardigans and flannels
- Water bottles and insulated tumblers
- Bottle openers and wine corkscrews
- Socks and beanies
- Hand sanitizer
- Cocktail shaker and strainer
- Coasters
- Reusable straws and utensil kits
- Backpacks and tote bags
Sample Stores & OMG Features
Scale your operations by offering a flexible eCommerce solution to fit the many needs of various establishments within this industry. From bulk orders capabilities to custom branding features, OMG helps you gain a competitive edge and establish yourself as a trustworthy and resourceful expert.
Click on the sample stores below to take a look!
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Java Moon Coffee Shop
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Lucia’s Tex-Mex
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OMG features specifically designed to support online stores for Food Services include:
Minimum Order Quantities: Guard profit margins, increase order value, and simplify inventory management with Maximum or Minimum Order Quantities. This feature allows you to meet product minimums and profit from selling a higher volume of lower-priced products.
Product Bundles: Simple product bundles make it easy for customers to grab what they need in a snap! Whether it’s new employee uniform packs or fan-favorite bundles, there are a variety of ways to streamline the shopping experience with this feature.
Gift Cards: Show appreciation or provide employee incentives with online stores. Encourage gift cards as a way for companies to appreciate or incentivize employees, while giving employees the chance to purchase additional products on their own dime.
Fundraising Tracker: Use powerful social proof to encourage customers to fundraise towards a cause or inspire last-minute purchases. Plus, OMG’s per-product fundraising, countdown timer, and report functionality makes it super simple to include fundraising on any store.
Consumer Order Status: Boost customer satisfaction and improve the overall buying experience by allowing customers to access on-demand order status. This frees up time for your Team by facilitating customers in answering their questions.
Check out these other Industry Insights: Healthcare, Colleges & Universities, Local Businesses, Industrial Services, Financial Services, and Real Estate!
About OrderMyGear
OrderMyGear (OMG) is an industry-leading sales tool, empowering distributors, decorators, and dealers to create sleek, retail-like online stores for every customer – big or small. Since 2008, OMG has been on a mission to simplify the process of selling branded products and apparel to groups and improve the ordering experience. With easy-to-use tools and unmatched support, the OMG platform powers online stores for over 3,500 clients generating more than $1.5 billion in online sales. Learn more at www.ordermygear.com.
Media Contact: Lauren Seip | lauren.seip@ordermygear.com | 281-756-7915
