There’s more to expect from your Shamrock Foods Sales Representative than just getting your order in on time. In addition to getting you the best value on the widest range of ingredients and supplies, a good foodservice rep is indispensable to survival in this business climate. She can offer a host of suggestions to improve your bottom line—and peace of mind—and serve as a valuable extension of your business. How? Let us count the ways.

Tap Into

How long has your Shamrock rep been in the business? Most likely, a long time. Nine years is the average for our DSRs, and over 15 years experience is the norm for our District Managers. Certainly, that experience and exposure to other operations—combined with their deep knowledge of the foodservice industry—means they know how to help you make improvements. Many have even worked in, managed or owned restaurants themselves. And best of all, they’ve dedicated their career to truly helping their customers succeed. If there’s something that you’re struggling with, just ask. Chances are, they’ve run across it before.

Show & Tell

Your rep has the benefit of being able to visit you, on your site and at your convenience, with information and product samples that could help your specific menu. It’s the best of both worlds: He or she knows your inventory and menu to a T, and is also aware of innovations from suppliers and best practices from operators in your same cuisine type/segment that you won’t want to miss. Take advantage of any opportunity your rep presents to visit suppliers or attend food shows where innovation is at the forefront.

Recipe Magic

Remember that your rep has a few “tricks” up the sleeve when it comes to serving a successful menu at the lowest cost possible. Whether it’s quality premade options or sourcing a new product that boosts perceived value, count on your Shamrock rep to help you evaluate the impact on inventory, recipes and your overall menu. She can also empower you by providing inventory information at your fingertips. Batch figuring, new cuts of meat, advice on food trends: they’re here for you. And if you have a new sourcing goal you’re not sure how to tackle, talk to your rep about the possibilities of collaboration.

Menu Masters

Your No. #1 marketing tool is your menu. Proper listing and placement can help guide diners to your most profitable items. Professional typesetting and printing can help project your operation’s image. Savvy pricing can help make sure your food costs are competitive, while maximizing your profitability. And your Shamrock rep can help with all of that. Together, you’ll look at all the critical factors: branding, demographics, preparation and profitability.

Make a Deal

These days, everyone’s margins are tight. Isn’t it good to know that your operation’s success is truly our No. 1 goal? If you don’t thrive, neither do we. That’s why you can be absolutely confident that when there’s a good discount available from one of our special volume purchases, or an opportunity to bundle or change your order in a way that will result in big savings, we’ll let you know. Discuss the latest how-to with your rep, and you’ll be pleased with the solution.

Always Learning

As an invested partner, your Shamrock rep can identify ways to improve your business outside the realm of food. Many of our customers have reaped the benefits of training opportunities, delivery consolidation, labor-saving prepared ingredients like Markon RSS products, and more. Think of it as making your business part of something larger—a collective of local experts who have tried-and-true solutions for succeeding iin this tough climate. Isn’t it good to know you’re not alone?

Informed Opinion

When you’re making a major menu or operations adjustment, remember you can always run it by your rep first. Someone who knows your business and the industry can serve as an ideal sounding board. Our reps also have a host of category experts at their fingertips, from COP specialists who can help you select the best portion size and cut, to chemical or beverage specialists, produce managers and even healthcare-industry experts. Since we’re based in the Southwest, we are attuned to regional preferences and trends. And since we’re one of the top ten largest foodservice distributors in the U.S., we benefit from national exposure, too.

Business Reviews

With real-world restaurant management experience, coupled with their knowledge of the industry, our Business Review Managers can be your secret weapon to improve operational performance, reduce turnover, improve margins—in short, help your operation to fly past the competition. Talk to your Shamrock Rep about being part of the Business Review program.

Speak Up

When you need an elusive new idea, some regionally-grown produce or specialty bread dough, think of Shamrock Foods first. If it’s important to your operation, it’s important to us and we’re dedicated to finding the solution.

In short, if you are only using your Shamrock Foods Sales Associate to take or place your order, you are not taking advantage of the full range of expertise and interest that she has to help your business. Think about the specific areas noted above, and start sharing with your Shamrock Foods sales team member more about your business, so they can share more of their ideas with you!