Boost your business performance
How GPOs help improve operational efficiency and customer experience
What is a GPO, and how can it impact your operational efficiency?
Many businesses are turning to group purchasing organisations — or GPOs — to save money on products.
By leveraging buyers’ collective purchasing power, GPOs allow those businesses to get better prices than if they made the same purchases alone. In other words: More buyers mean lower costs.
However, that’s only scratching the surface of what GPOs can do.
Today’s GPOs offer industry expertise and digital tools to help businesses improve their performance and guest experience.
With the right procurement partner, you gain the support to tackle tough operational challenges — and unlock new potential for your business.
Delight your customers with employees properly trained in hospitality strategies. Serve orders faster — and reduce food waste — with menus optimised for efficiency. Some GPOs even provide software that automates your purchasing, highlighting new opportunities to save. And that’s only the beginning.
It’s time to rethink how your business can save money and perform efficiently. Follow this guide to find the right procurement partner — and take your operations to the next level.
Solutions for improving customer experience
Keeping customers satisfied is the heart of your business. That’s why some of today’s procurement partners offer solutions to ensure seamless, memorable experiences that keep customers returning, again and again.
Upgrade your employee training and development
Your employees are the first points of contact for your business. Not only do they represent your brand, but a well-trained team can elevate the overall customer experience by enabling smooth, efficient operations.
Faster table turnovers. More consistent cleaning. Better-timed product orders. Proper food preparation. All these factors add up to shape a customer’s perception of your business.
That’s where a GPO can help. Find a procurement partner who can provide training services in areas like customer service, food and equipment, business best practices and technology training.
With a well-trained team running the show, you can ensure customers see your business at its best.
What Entegra delivers
Ouroperationsteamiscomprisedofskilledculinarianswhocanhelp yourbusinessdevelopitsstaff,elevatingthequalityofyourservice, andensuringyourbusinessisabletomeetregulatoryrequirements.
Entegra works with clients to develop their kitchen staff through apprenticeshipsandarangeoftrainingofferedthroughoursupplier networkinareaslikeallergensandsanitation.
Serve customers faster by simplifying your menu
Fed customers are happy customers. The key to faster service? Menus that emphasise simplicity — without sacrificing flavour.
By focusing on dishes that can be prepared quickly and efficiently, you can reduce kitchen bottlenecks, quicken service and minimise inventory management — all while increasing profitability.
However, be careful not to overextend this approach. Even the fastest service can’t compensate for unappetising or low-quality foods.
That’s why it’s important to work with a GPO who knows what customers want — and how to design a menu that strikes a balance between quickness and quality.
Look for a procurement partner with an in-house chef or test kitchen where you can make your menu shine.
What Entegra delivers
Entegraworkswithourclientstoengineersimplifiedmenusthat delightcustomersandboostmargins,allwhilebeingtailoredto theirteamscapacity.
Afterananalysisoftheexistingmenu,ourteamtrimsthefat, cuttingunprofitableitemsandoptimisinghighpotentialdishesthat havealwaysbeenpopularbutneverhighlyprofitable.
Guide your strategy using real customer feedback
For the most honest input on what improves customer experience, go straight to the source.
Regularly soliciting and analysing customer feedback can make a night-and-day difference on how you adjust your menus, services and operations.
The key is to be proactive. Consider building customer email lists and sending incentivised surveys one to four times per year. Also look for point-of-sale (POS) systems that incorporate survey QR codes onto receipts, allowing customers to give feedback on their own time.
On the back end of your operations, meet regularly with senior-level teams to discuss how to implement this feedback. For instance, if customers are highlighting a recurring issue, it’s important to address it quickly to show you’re listening.
Depending on your specific industry, GPOs can provide guidance for collecting and using customer feedback. Lean on their expertise to keep ideas incoming — and your operations thriving.
Maintain a consistent supply of popular menu items
Consistent offerings drive customer loyalty. But with volatile markets and supply chains, businesses across the country are struggling to get ingredients for popular dishes at prices that fit their budgets.
Stay ahead of possible shortages by keeping track of global markets and supplies. Create backup plans so you can quickly change course when necessary.
By connecting with a solid supply chain today, you can avoid future menu changes, price increases and costly retraining — not to mention dissatisfied customers.
That’s where GPOs shine. The right partner will leverage its purchasing power and supplier relationships to negotiate pricing on your behalf, getting you access and cost savings on the items your customers crave.
What Entegra delivers
We save you time by handling the vetting, sourcing and negotiation of customer favourites.
Use our digital tools to create locked order guides, ensuring all your locations use the same products.
Solutions for driving operational efficiency
When it comes to your business operations, every advantage counts. On top of helping to save on your purchases, the right GPO can also help you look at the bigger picture — providing tools and advisory support to take business to the next level.
Use the latest technology to streamline operations
Eliminateunnecessaryprocesses,developnewtrainingprogrammesandoptimisethe wayyouuselabourandresources—savingtimeandmoneyateverystep
Today’spowerfuldigitaltoolsaremakingiteasiertostreamlineyourbusiness workflowsandfindnewinsights.WiththerightGPO,you caneasilysortthroughthe market’sdizzyingselectionofoptionstofindthebesttoolsforyourorganisation.
For instance, consider modern POS systems that provide insights into your menus, turnaround times and inventory. Some procurement partners provide advanced reporting on your spending, as well as broader industry trends.
Also keep an eye out for the rise of AI integrations. These developing technologies will help predict customer trends, inventory issues and other opportunities to improve your operations.
What Entegra delivers
Entegra'sBeagle platform delivers actionable insights by analysing spending patterns, identifying cost drivers and benchmarking performance against industry peers.
We also offer the latest in data and digital tools for reducing administration,providingcompliancethrougheffectivereporting, andimprovingprocurementdecisions.
Reduce waste with smarter menuing and preparation
Whether it’s the result of inefficient food preparation or improper portion sizes, food waste creates lasting issues for the environment — and your bottom line.
Plan ahead by implementing waste reduction strategies. Closely track your inventory to avoid overordering. Use the first in, first out (FIFO) method to use older inventory first,and monitor portion control to ensure you’re not overserving customers.
The right GPO can even analyse your kitchen processes to identify underperforming side dishes and optimise your team’s food preparation techniques.
The result: Less food in the landfill, and greater results for your business.
What Entegra delivers
Entegra’snewWasteSmartserviceisastrategicsolutiondesigned totacklefoodwastehead-onandalignseamlesslywithourclients' sustainabilitygoals.
Thisproactiveinitiativedivesdeepintotherootcausesoffoodwaste withinyouroperations,offeringbespokestrategiestoreducewaste, unlocksavings,andultimatelyreduceyourCO2emissions.
Reduce preparation time with improved kitchen layouts
The French concept of “mise en place” — putting cooking items in the right place — can make or break a kitchen’s output.
Factor in heavy traffic and mealtime rushes, and a poorly designed kitchen can quickly impact your business’s bottom line.
Consider reconfiguring your kitchen’s layout with the goal of increasing efficiency and reducing preparation time. Ensure the kitchen is designed for easy movement. Place equipment where workers can quickly flow from station to station.
The right procurement partner can provide hands-on expertise for how to configure your kitchen. Some GPOs also partner with kitchen machinery suppliers to ensure you have the latest, most efficient models.
What Entegra delivers
Wehaveabroadrangeofsupplierswhocanequipyourbusinesswith thefixturesandequipmentitneedstorunefficiently.
Our operationsteamhavetheexpertisetoconsultonhowyoucan bestlayoutyourspace.
Save thousands of pounds with smarter energy management
Kitchen appliances. Lights. Air conditioning. To keep up with customers’ needs, hospitality-driven companies use — and pay for — a staggering amount of energy.
But with a considered approach to energy management, it’s not uncommon for businesses to save thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly.
Manage your energy usage more efficiently by partnering with a GPO who provides solutions like energy audits, lighting upgrades and renewable resource partnerships.
It’s a proactive, impactful way to protect your bottom line — and the environment.
What Entegra delivers
Entegraoffersenergyprocurementforclients,assistingthemin purchasingelectricityandnaturalgas.
Fromone-timeorongoingservicestoself-performingmodulesand rebatesandincentives,Entegracanhelpinaddressingallyourenergy andmanagementneeds.
Meet the performance-focused procurement partner
At Entegra, improving operational efficiency isn’t just part of what we do — it’s our main focus.
As the world’s largest food group purchasing organisation, we provide the solutions, technology and advisory support to let your business shine.
Start the conversation
Our Entegra Advisors are standing by to provide guidance specific to your operations. Let’s discuss how we can reach your efficiency goals: Contact us
Entegra Europe
EntegraEurope
EntegraEurope