Aligning Distributor Strategies with Operator Needs

IFDA’s new Aligning Distributor Strategies with Operator Needs report provides an in-depth look at how restaurant operators approach their relationships with foodservice distributors. The findings shed light on pressing challenges, evolving purchasing habits, innovation, and opportunities for distributors to meet and exceed their customers’ expectations.

The summer 2025 survey of 500 restaurant operators revealed several key insights:

• 89% of operators cite food costs as a top challenge, underscoring continued pressure on margins and focus on cost-saving efforts.
• 89% report satisfaction with their primary distributor, showing overall strength in service delivery.
• Operators now buy from an average of 3.1 distributors, up from 2.8 pre-pandemic, with product availability and specialty items driving multi-distributor use.
• 78% of operators purchase distributor brand products, with half saying they buy more of them today than two years ago.
• 91% of operators express interest in subscription-based product ordering models, reflecting openness to innovation.
• 27% of operators would pick up orders from a drop-location if offered.
• 57% of operators say AI makes DSRs more efficient.

Price: Free to all IFDA members as an exclusive member benefit.