Originally published on Personal Development
Community involvement is key to running a successful business. When it comes to restaurant management, one of the best things you can do is “go local.” Seasoned restaurateur Paul Bulau knows this all too well, and he’s here to share his tips.
Learn more from Paul Bulau about how sourcing from local suppliers can empower your restaurant and your community as a whole.
Grow Your Local Economy
The more money you pour into your community, the more money patrons can spend at your restaurant. This trend is a significant benefit to having local supply and production.
Stimulating the local economy gives back to the community that helped you grow in the first place. Not only will you return the favor, but you’ll also boost your restaurant’s reputation.
Better Quality Control Through Direct Involvement
Locally sourced supplies and products that are close to your production site are easy to visit, ensuring greater quality control. When your supplier is hundreds or thousands of miles away, quality control is harder.
By choosing to go local, you become directly involved in the production and distribution process. As a result, local sourcing is a wonderful management strategy for restaurant operators who like to personally ensure the quality of their products.
Building Connections in Your Community
Personal relationships dictate the success of your business. Word of mouth and local reputation can make or break your restaurant’s success. By partnering with local suppliers and producers, you can make a positive impression on your community.
Local restaurant patrons yearn for personal connection. When you support local operations, you display your community connection and help pave the way toward mutual, genuine support.
Supply Chain Efficiency Translates to Speed of Service
Waiting days or weeks for a shipment is burdensome for your business. To thrive, restaurants rely on fresh, ready-to-use ingredients and quality kitchen equipment. Partnering with local suppliers like farmers and food processing plants allows you to give your patrons faster service.
For businesses that feature seasonal items and limited-time specials, high-speed service is especially important. You quickly get the produce you need when your supplier and producer are nearby.
Mutual Support When Something Goes Wrong
Mistakes and delays happen in every industry, but how you handle these issues matters. Local partners are more likely to work with you than against you, and strengthening community relationships helps protect your business when problems arise.
Likewise, you can show your support for local partners if they run into trouble. Your economic contribution to their operation could keep them afloat in tough times.
Going Green: Adding Environmental Considerations to Your Business Model
Going local usually reduces your carbon footprint because you don’t have to import, ship, or fly goods in. Sourcing materials and ingredients from far away is costly and contributes to escalating pollution.
“Patrons respect your restaurant’s efforts to conserve resources and save the planet,” explains Paul Bulau. “As environmental consciousness among the general population grows, your business can also flourish by taking the local route.”
Transform Your Restaurant Model by Going Local
There are few downsides to supporting local suppliers and producers. As a restaurant, you can thrive by forming local partnerships and boosting your reputation within the community. Consider going local to build trust with your patrons and bring your supply chain closer to home.
About Paul Bulau
Paul Bulau is a culinary entrepreneur, business founder, and company owner/operator. He is known for operational success, community collaboration, and team development.
His responsibilities have included contracts and client relationships, HR support, negotiation, and meal plan engineering. Now, as Regional Vice President, Paul and his team work to strategically problem-solve and implement solutions for the premier portfolio of marquee clients.