What Is The Correct Approach?
Business By AgentCakeBaker Updated 3 Jul 2006 , 3:41pm by AgentCakeBaker
OK, a few people told me that it is o.k. to try and sell your cakes to a private owned restaurant. They said that as long as I have my cakes labeled with the ingredients then it is o.k. to sell them to the private owners.
There's a small but popular restaurant about a few miles from me that I'm thinking about selling cakes to. My childcare provider told me that she saw the owner in the publix one day buying cakes for his restaurant. She was totally disappointed and shocked. So I was thinking about going up to the owner (Mr. Satterwhite) to ask him if he would be interested in buying some quality cakes.
I need your opinions, how would you approach the owner of the business? Would you take samples (cake slices)?
Yes definately take samples, brochure and business card. I dropped samples of my muffins/pastries off at 3 local restaurants/coffee shops. I now have weekly deliveries to 2 of the establishments.
Good Luck
I would make sure about your regulations in your area selling to a public restaurant that you don't need a license to sell to the public. The owner was buying from probably licensed vendors. Just check to make sure so you don't get into some kind of trouble you don't need.
I klnow that here the cakes need to licensed. Meaning they need to be produced in a kitchen that is inspected by the department of health. The reason is because it is being served for public consumption. If by chance the product was contaminated you can be liable for people getting sick. You might want to offer your services and see if they would allow you to work for them in there kitchen doing cakes.
I have noever done this before but heres my opinion. I would go with cake samples, your cake pics & some letters of recomendation from our regular clients. He needs two see & taste the product. GOOD LUCK!! Keep us posted.
I would give him a call and ask if you could meet with him about your cakes. I would also take your portfolio and cake samples. You could take some cake balls as these are a little different and most restaurants don't have these. Make sure you have a price in mind as I am sure that will be a question he will have.
Good Luck
I would either talk to him or call him first.
State your name, your business, what you would like to offer him, and ask him if he is interested in your product.
So your conversation might go something like this.
Hello, My name is ____. I own "insert name of business" I offer specialty cakes to my customers specifications. They are homemade and can be personallized to suit your needs. Is this something you are interested in?
If wants to know more, ask if he has some time to meet with you and he can sample your cakes and you can discuss the details of business.
If he says he already gets his cakes/desserts somewhere else, ask him if he would be willing to work with someone new (then set up time to meet like above)
If he says no, then there was no harm in asking, at least you won't be wondering if it was a missed opportunity.
I wish you the best of luck, hope it works out for you.
Leily
the largest obstacle in this type of arangement is most retaurants don't want o buy from someone unelss they are working from a licensed kitchen
Thanks for all your advice. I will at least give it a try based on all your opinions. He can either say yes or no right?
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