What are manufacturer rebates?
A manufacturer rebate is cash back a food brand pays a restaurant after it buys that brand's products. You pay your normal distributor price, and the manufacturer pays you back a set amount per case.
Why do food manufacturers offer rebates?
Manufacturers want their products on more menus. A rebate lets them win a new restaurant customer, or a bigger order, without changing the distributor's price.
Why do independent restaurants miss out on rebates?
Most rebate money goes to large chains that negotiate it directly. Much of the rest is kept by buying groups and distributors. Claiming a rebate on your own means paperwork, proof of purchase and waiting 10 to 14 weeks, so most independent restaurants never claim them.
How do restaurants get manufacturer rebates with Pantry?
- We match offers to what you buy. Pantry looks at your menu and your orders and matches them against rebates from 75+ food manufacturers. You see offers on products you already buy, plus trending products that fit your menu.
- You pick the ones you want. Turn on the offers that make sense for your kitchen. Cash back counts on purchases after you turn an offer on.
- You keep ordering as usual. Same distributor, same rep, same order guide. Your pricing doesn't change.
- We file the claims and pay you. Pantry files every claim for you automatically. You get paid by check or ACH within two weeks, instead of the 10 to 14 weeks typical rebates take.
How much can a restaurant earn from rebates?
We estimate a typical independent restaurant can earn $2,000 to $10,000 a year. Where you land depends on how many cases you buy of products with an offer, and how much each offer pays. Offers usually pay a few dollars back per case.
| Cases a week with an offer | Cash back per case | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | $2 | $2,080 |
| 35 | $3 | $5,460 |
| 50 | $4 | $10,400 |
Examples for illustration. Your amount depends on your orders and the offers you turn on.
Manufacturer rebates vs. a GPO
A group purchasing organization (GPO) negotiates prices for its members and may keep part of the rebate. Pantry pays rebates straight to you and costs nothing for operators. Pantry offers aren't exclusive, so joining doesn't stop you from using a GPO.
See which rebates match what you already buy
Free for your first six months. Keep your distributor and your order guide.
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