Food Service

Top Food Service Stores in the US: Where to Buy Supplies for Restaurants, Catering, and Events

Why your supplier choice matters

Running a kitchen or catering business is like steering a ship—small equipment choices and supplier reliability keep you on course. Picking the right food service supplier affects your margins, the quality of service, and how quickly you can scale. Whether you're stocking disposable plates for a pop-up or ordering steam table warmers for a banquet hall, the store you choose shapes your operations.

How to choose between retail, specialty, and wholesale suppliers

Think of suppliers like tools in a toolbox: some are multi-purpose, like Walmart, while others are precision instruments designed for specific jobs, like Cerqular compostable palm leaf products or WebstaurantStore’s commercial gear. Ask yourself: do I need speed and convenience, low per-unit cost, or eco-friendly options? Your answer will guide whether you shop retail, specialty, or wholesale.

Walmart — convenience, variety, and low-per-unit prices

Walmart blends retail accessibility with bulk pricing on many food service essentials. From branded cases to kitchen equipment, it’s a one-stop shop for small restaurants and event planners who want convenience without a complicated procurement process.

Product highlights from Walmart

Walmart carries a broad mix of items that appeal to food businesses: 7-inch self-rising pizza crusts in packs of 24, 5 oz. disposable plastic dessert bowls available in bulk quantity, stacks of 8-slice pizza boxes, commercial-style 4-pan food warmers with thermostats, and disposable wooden tasting spoons in packs that run into the thousands. You’ll also find themed paper plates and party supplies for casual events.

Who benefits from buying at Walmart?

If you operate a small café, a seasonal food truck, or a catering company that needs occasional bulk runs, Walmart national footprint and everyday low price model are a smart fit. You’ll sacrifice some specialization, but you gain fast availability and competitive pricing on common disposables and some equipment.

Cerqular — eco-friendly disposables and palm leaf products

Cerqular focuses on compostable and palm leaf disposable products that fit the rising customer demand for sustainable serviceware. These items are ideal when you want the look and feel of natural materials without the cleanup hassle of reusable china at an outdoor event.

Product highlights from Cerqular

Cerqular lineup includes palm leaf plates in multiple sizes such as 6-inch shallow plates and 10-inch dinner plates, rectangular palm leaf platters, compartment plates for portion control, 5.5-inch bowls for soups or sides, and biodegradable charcuterie boards. Many of these are sold in packs of 25 to 50 and are USDA certified biobased in several SKUs.

Who benefits from buying at Cerqular?

Event planners, caterers doing outdoor weddings, and restaurants promoting a green image will appreciate Cerqular products. These items are also great for venues that want single-use serviceware but need compostable solutions to minimize landfill waste.

WebstaurantStore — the online commercial supplier for heavy users

WebstaurantStore is built for foodservice professionals who need hundreds to thousands of units, commercial appliances, or specialized kitchen gear. Its catalog covers everything from sheet pans and gas ranges to bulk disposables and servingware.

Why WebstaurantStore is a favorite for restaurants

Commercial-grade inventory, competitive wholesale pricing, and a massive online catalog mean you can outfit a full kitchen or restock for a large event with one supplier. Add in replacement parts and equipment accessories, and it’s easy to see why many restaurant owners and caterers prefer WebstaurantStore for repeat, predictable buys.

Sysco and US Foods — full-line distributors for large operations

Sysco and US Foods are the industry’s major distributors, moving cases of perishables, dry goods, disposables, and equipment to restaurants and institutional kitchens. They operate through sales reps and distribution networks tailored to high-volume customers.

When to use Sysco or US Foods

If you run multiple locations, a hotel banquet operation, or a chain that requires weekly pallet deliveries, these distributors streamline purchasing. They offer contract pricing, menu engineering support, and credit terms that smaller retailers can’t match—ideal when you need predictable supply flows and vendor relationships that scale.

Restaurant Depot and cash-and-carry options

Restaurant Depot and similar cash-and-carry warehouses are the bridge between retail aisles and full-service distribution. You walk in, pick up pallet quantities or cases, and check out—no waiting for a sales rep.

Why cash-and-carry works for some businesses

Independent restaurateurs and caterers who need flexibility and immediate, in-person selection benefit from cash-and-carry models. You can inspect packaging, test the feel of disposable tableware, and buy exact quantities without long-term contracts.

Amazon Business — fast shipping and deep selection

Amazon Business combines Amazon’s logistics with business-focused features like multi-user accounts, purchase approvals, and tax-exempt purchasing in some cases. It’s convenient for last-minute needs or niche items that aren’t stocked locally.

How to use Amazon Business without paying more

Watch unit costs carefully—fast shipping can mask higher per-unit prices compared to wholesale suppliers. Use Amazon Business for hard-to-find parts or one-off equipment pieces, and rely on dedicated distributors for your regular bulk orders to keep costs down.

Mix-and-match strategy: how to balance cost, speed, and sustainability

You don’t have to pick one supplier for everything. Many successful operators use a mix: Sysco for proteins and perishables, WebstaurantStore for cookware and commercial gear, Cerqular for compostable disposables on eco-minded events, and Walmart or Restaurant Depot for inexpensive staples. This diversification reduces risk if a single vendor runs out of stock.

Sample procurement plan for a small caterer

Start with a core distributor for perishables to ensure freshness and stable pricing. Use WebstaurantStore or Restaurant Depot for cookware and bulk disposables like pizza boxes and plastic bowls. Allocate seasonal or event-specific buys to Cerqular for compostable items, and use Walmart or Amazon Business for emergency top-up orders.

Buying tips: what to compare besides price

Per-unit price matters, but so do minimum order quantities, shipping costs, packaging waste, and equipment warranties. Look for volume discounts, read vendor lead-time policies, and check whether suppliers offer replacement parts for gear like steam table warmers. A low sticker price can be expensive when you add freight and downtime from faulty equipment.

Checklist before placing a bulk order

Confirm SKU specifications (size in inches, capacity in oz, case count), check whether the product is certified compostable or food-safe, estimate storage space in cubic feet or on shelves, and verify shelf life for consumables. These simple checks prevent wasted purchases and inventory headaches.

Eco-friendly disposables: materials and trade-offs

Compostable options—palm leaf, bagasse, and PLA-coated fiber—look great, but they can cost more and sometimes require industrial composting. Wooden utensils and palm leaf plates are sturdy and compost-friendly, but you’ll want to verify certifications like USDA biobased labeling and local composting acceptance.

Practical tip for choosing compostables

Test one event with compostables and set up clear signage and bins for collection. If your local waste system lacks industrial composting, lightweight compostables can end up in landfills, negating environmental benefits. Partnering with a hauler or a commercial compost program is the missing piece for businesses serious about sustainability.

Equipment buying: when to rent, lease, or buy

Buying commercial ovens, steam tables, or refrigerated prep tables is a capital decision. For one-off events, renting or leasing may be cheaper. For steady daily use, buying with a warranty often pays back through reliability and lower long-term cost.

Quick rule of thumb

If a piece of equipment will be used more than 10 hours a week for a year or longer, consider purchasing. If it's event-only or seasonal, renting keeps cash flow flexible and avoids long-term storage costs.

Storage and handling: protect your inventory

Bulk disposables and food items need smart storage. Keep dry goods in a pest-proof area, rotate stock with first-in, first-out (FIFO) methods, and store plates and utensils in dry conditions to avoid warping. For items like wooden spoons, consider breathable storage to prevent mold if humidity is high.

Space-saving tips

Use vertical shelving rated for food service loads in pounds per shelf, and label shelves by item and date received. For fragile boat-shaped palm leaf platters, store flat to prevent cracking and keep them in climate-controlled spaces if possible.

Pricing strategy: how to keep margins healthy

Calculate your cost per plate, per entree, and per guest. A seemingly small increase in per-unit cost adds up over hundreds of covers. Consider offering two service tiers—economy disposables for weeknight events and premium compostable options for high-margin, eco-conscious gigs.

Example math

If a disposable plate costs $0.12 vs. $0.35 for a compostable palm leaf plate, the difference is $0.23 per cover. For a 200-guest wedding, that’s an extra $46—often an acceptable upsell if the client values sustainability. Present options clearly so clients can choose what fits their budget.

Case study: scaling from food truck to small catering company

A food truck owner who expanded into catering started with Walmart and Amazon Business for quick, cheap disposables. As catering demand grew, she shifted major purchases to WebstaurantStore for better per-unit pricing and Sysco for perishables. For weddings, she ordered Cerqular palm leaf plates to market the service as eco-friendly—boosting premium bookings and net margins.

What changed operationally

She added a small dry storage area to handle bulk case counts, tracked inventory in simple spreadsheets, and established reorder points for staples. This combination of suppliers and logistical tweaks turned ad-hoc procurement into a predictable purchasing system.

Final checklist before signing with a new supplier

Confirm product specifications in inches and ounces, ask about minimum order quantities, get sample packs when possible, and compare total landed cost including freight. Don’t forget warranty terms for equipment and any certifications that matter to your customers, like compostable or food-safe labels.

Negotiation tips

For recurring orders, ask for volume discounts, capped shipping rates, or flexible payment terms. Even independents can sometimes secure better terms by promising regular monthly orders or referring neighboring businesses.

Conclusion

Choosing the right food service suppliers is about balancing cost, convenience, and values. Walmart and Amazon Business are great for quick, affordable pickups; Cerqular fills the need for compostable, premium disposables; WebstaurantStore, Sysco, and US Foods serve high-volume, professional kitchens; and Restaurant Depot gives immediate, hands-on buying power. Mix and match suppliers to suit your operation, test products in small runs, and keep an eye on per-unit economics to maintain healthy margins. With the right strategy, your supply chain becomes an advantage rather than an afterthought.