Foodservice channels are the ways in which food and beverage products are sold and distributed. These include HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and caterers), Aged Care, Meal Solutions, Cafes, Schools, and Hospitals. For a food brand seeking sales support, understanding the different channels in foodservice can be beneficial for increasing their market reach.

HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and caterers) is a type of foodservice that provides direct to consumer meals. This type of channel includes full-service restaurants, bars, fast food outlets, catering services, and other similar establishments.

Aged Care is a type of foodservice that provides meals for elderly or dependent individuals living in care homes or assisted living facilities. This type of channel typically requires higher quality food ingredients and special meal plans for each individual.

Meal Solutions refers to a type of foodservice that provides packaged meals for customers to take away or enjoy at home. Meal Solutions also includes ready-to-cook meals, meal kits, and other pre-packaged foods.

Cafes offer a wide range of drinks and snacks to customers. This type of channel typically serves prepared meals such as sandwiches, pastries, and desserts, as well as beverages such as coffee, tea, and juices.

Schools provide meals to students throughout the day. This type of channel usually works with a limited budget and require special dietary considerations to accommodate the needs of all students.

Hospitals offer a variety of meal options for patients and visitors. This type of channel typically includes cafeteria-style dining, as well as grab-and-go meal options.

Understanding the different types of channels in foodservice can help food brands seeking sales support identify the best way to reach their target audience and maximize their market reach. A food and beverage broker specializes in these various channels, providing an extra layer of expertise and guidance when it comes to creating successful strategies for food brands. Here are five key reasons why a food brand seeking sales support should consider hiring a food and beverage broker:

1. They understand the various food service channels – A food and beverage broker understand the ins-and-outs of each channel, from QSR, HORECA to hospitals, making them better equipped to create strategies tailored to a specific food service environment.
2. They know what it takes to get your product on shelves – The broker knows how to navigate food service rules and regulations, making sure your product is compliant before it reaches store shelves.
3. They understand the local market – Food brokers understand regional tastes and trends, helping you tailor your product offering accordingly so it resonates with consumers in the local area.
4. They have experience selling to QSRs – Quick service restaurants (QSRs) present unique challenges when it comes to selling food products. A food and beverage broker has the knowledge and experience necessary to negotiate deals and get your product on menus of popular QSR chains & HORECA Groups.
5. They have connections within the industry – Having connections within the foodservice industry can go a long way towards getting your product noticed and generating sales. Food brokers have strong relationships with key decision makers in the industry, giving your brand added leverage when it comes to securing deals.

Having a food and beverage broker on your side can make all the difference in driving success for your brand in the food service industry. With their deep knowledge of the different channels and industry connections, they’re the perfect partner to guide you through the complex landscape of food service distribution.

Whether you’re looking to break into cafeìs, schools, aged care facilities, or QSRs, a food and beverage broker will be able to find the right solutions and contacts to help get your product out there. For instance, a food broker might be able to recommend competitive pricing strategies that would be ideal for a QSR chain, as well as suggest which menu items would be most suitable for introducing your product. Additionally, since QSRs need high volumes of inventory, a good broker could connect you with trusted suppliers who can guarantee timely deliveries. Ultimately, working with a food and beverage broker helps streamline the process of getting your products into QSRs and maximize the potential for success.