Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or you enjoy creating cakes and other sweet treats, starting up your own cafe is the perfect way to channel your skills. After all, what could be better than making a living from something you’re genuinely passionate about? From the freedom to call the shots to a sense of pride in your creation, there are tons of benefits that come with running your own establishment and, with the right approach, you’re likely to have an extremely profitable cafe business.

That being said, starting any business from scratch is never going to be completely smooth sailing. Long hours, busy work days and fierce competition are just a few of the things that cafe owners have to compete with and sometimes, it may seem like the odds are stacked against you. However, amidst the chaos, it’s important to keep your eye on the prize. Whilst it’s true that this market is not without its obstacles, it is possible to own a cafe that’s unique, efficiently run and, most importantly, successful. There are countless things that contribute towards a busy and bustling cafe, but first and foremost, it’s important to find a reputable wholesale dairy supplier.

There are certain core products that a cafe simply can’t function without and these can all be provided in bulk by a wholesale food supplier so that even on the busiest of days, your business will continue to boom. Below, we’ve made a list of five essential items that a wholesale dairy supplier can provide and explored the importance of purchasing these products in bulk.

Buying milk from wholesale food suppliers

When it comes to opening a cafe, there are tons of different styles to consider for your new establishment. Perhaps you like the idea of running a cafe that doubles as a delicatessen, or maybe you’d like to open a quirky diner. Whatever option you go for, milk is an essential that must be in abundance all year round. From teas and coffees to sweet and savoury snacks, milk is a core ingredient in many cafe-sold items and there are tons of variations to take into consideration to ensure your business appeals to the masses. In addition to whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, there is also soy, almond, oat and many other different kinds of milk substitute for those looking for a dairy-free alternative.

When placing a wholesale milk order with a wholesalers, it’s important to consider who your business is catering for and decide on quantities accordingly. For example, if your cafe is not going to be very coffee focused, it may not make sense to buy a wide variety of different milks as they could end up going to waste. On the other hand, if milk is crucial to your operation, be sure to plan your order carefully so that you’re never left without as a lack of produce could well be detrimental to your business.

The importance of eggs

For cafes that specialise in the production of sweet treats, eggs will undoubtedly be essential to your operation. Cakes, cookies and scones are all items that often include the use of eggs and with this in mind, it’s imperative to work with egg suppliers that can provide you with the quantities you need to create your menu.

Eggs are also a staple ingredient in many breakfast dishes and if your establishment offers this meal, you’ll need to ensure you have the amount you need to accommodate all of your customers until the next delivery. Having the ingredients you require at your disposal at all times is essential to the success of your business as if you’re unable to deliver items on your menu, customers are likely to go elsewhere in future. Being fully stocked at all times is crucial and if you run your own cafe, eggs are an ingredient you can’t afford to run out of.

Purchasing bakery items from bulk food suppliers

From sliced bread and rolls to muffins and crumpets, some cafes simply cannot function without certain bakery items. Whether you need bread to create mouth-watering sandwiches or you’d like to offer your customers delectable pastries and tarts, you’ll need to find a supplier that sells a variety of baked goods in bulk and further to this, it’s essential to enquire as to their delivery schedule. Finding out how often a supplier can deliver to you will give you a better idea of what quantities to order, ensuring you don’t end up with too much or too little stock. Both over and under ordering are bound to result in your business losing money and with this in mind, it’s imperative to consider the requirements of your business carefully before making a purchase.

When it comes to making orders for your business, buying in bulk is always the most cost-effective option as suppliers will usually offer discounts or a lower price for particularly large orders. Starting up a business is an expensive venture and it’s essential to try and cut costs wherever possible, so ensure you order all produce in bulk as this is the perfect way to save money without making any sacrifices for your business.

Fruit juices: why bulk buy?

There’s nothing better than a glass of cold orange juice with breakfast and as a cafe, it’s essential for you to provide an array of soft drinks to ensure your customers have the variety they need. Whether you’d like to offer healthy smoothies or simple fruit juices, you’ll need to work with a supplier that provides delicious beverages at an affordable price and, as with the above-mentioned products, they will need to be purchased in bulk.

Whether it’s fruit juices or food items, running out of stock can reflect poorly on a cafe and can even result in an establishment losing business. It’s imperative for a cafe to be fully stocked at all times and the best way to do this is to purchase food and beverage items in large quantities. When you buy in bulk, you can rest assured that your business is prepared for the week ahead rather than doing a panic order last minute and as mentioned previously, this is likely going to be much more cost-effective for you in the long-run.

Ordering cheese for your cafe

Last but not least, cheese is an ingredient that ties many different cafe meals together. Whether your menu is centred around paninis and heated sandwiches or you specialise in delectable omelettes, cheese is undoubtedly a staple ingredient for a cafe. There are countless different cheeses that come in different forms- all you need to do is find a wholesale dairy supplier that can supply the cheeses you require in the quantities you need.

At Freshways, we pride ourselves on being one of the largest independent dairy suppliers in the UK. We supply a broad range of products to businesses across the UK and we settle for nothing less than excellence. From milk and eggs to juices and cheese, we supply an array of different items in quantities to suit businesses both large and small.

We provide a reliable and efficient delivery service to all our customers, ensuring your business is never lacking in stock and our customer service truly is second to none.

To discuss how we could help your business, contact us today and bring your cafe to life with Freshways.