Operational Efficiency Guide: Doing More with Less
Doing more with less
Fueling operational efficiency with support from a GPO
the new normal
For many hospitality-driven operators, from restaurants to senior living centers, topline growth has softened while the cost of doing business continues to climb. Food and beverage, utilities and other operating expenses are putting sustained pressure on profits, leaving little room for error.
At the same time, labor remains one of the toughest challenges. Wage costs are at record highs; staffing levels in many markets still haven’t returned to prepandemic levels, and ultimately, operators are doing more with less.
Add increasingly price-sensitive customers into the mix, and focusing on your operational efficiencies is non-negotiable.
In this guide, we explore 5 common operational challenges — and the GPObacked solutions that help solve them.
Low growth, high cost
Rising costs continue to outpace revenue growth across hospitality sectors, forcing operators in 2026 to focus on margin protection rather than topline growth.1
Entegra has been great for our bottom line; they were able to find us savings as well as money back on our purchases. At first, it seemed like it might be too good to be true, but it turned out to be great.
“
Robert Tyler Corporate Executive Chef, Wild
Eggs
Drive both savings and business performance
What is a GPO?
A group purchasing organization (GPO) empowers operators to join others to leverage their collective purchasing power. This “group purchasing” enables your business to get better prices and a broader selection of high-quality items, services and support.
Beyond savings
Operators work with a GPO to:
• Stay ahead of change
• Navigate disruptions
• Improve performance
The good news is that a GPO (group purchasing organization) can help you cut costs as an extension of your procurement arm, so you can save more across key categories — from F&B to FF&E and other purchasing categories — to protect your profit margins.
The better news is that Entegra is a GPO that goes beyond savings, supporting operators like you with a dual focus: cost savings and a commitment to your business performance overall , by:
• Fueling data-driven decisions. AI-driven purchasing, post-purchase analytics and SKU/ utilization insights are table stakes. With Entegra PurchasingIQ, Entegra’s clients say goodbye to manual CSV workflows, and hello to one-stop tracking and analysis.
• Ensuring effortless access to innovative solutions. Automated culinary and cleaning solutions save time, ease labor strain and help operators meet hygiene requirements with confidence.
• Providing supplier breadth and industry know-how. From industry-specific expertise to a commitment to client services, Entegra is the GPO of choice for savvy operators. 1 U.S. Hospitality market outlook for 2026, Trinity Street Capital Partners
5 operator challenges. GPO-backed solutions.
Challenge #1
Procurement complexity drains time and resources
A GPO helps you streamline procurement and purchasing so teams can focus on running their operation, not sourcing and ordering. Easy access to thousands of GPO-contracted alternatives that meet your brand standards saves time, money and resources.
As your partner in business performance improvement, we provide the insights, tools and expertise to help you navigate the economic landscape with confidence. “ “
Entegra close-up:
Jeff Porterfield Chief Customer Officer, Entegra North America
• Simplify what you buy — and how you buy it. Standardizing top SKUs by outlet, setting clear substitution and aligning order guides are key to cutting waste and making ordering faster and more consistent. Extra bonus? Saving more by purchasing Entegra-contracted items.
• Make the right choice, the easy choice. Tools like EPRO, powered by Entegra, and Entegra Shopping Assistant help guide cost-saving, Entegra-contracted purchasing in real time at the point of order — so teams stay on track without extra effort.
• Monitor Entegra-contracted compliance across locations. With Entegra PurchasingIQ, operators can quickly compare unit performance, spot better purchasing opportunities and gain visibility into where savings and improvements are being missed.
Challenge #2
Labor costs are rising, staff retention and hiring are more difficult
GPO solution: Simplify staffing, prep and training by providing both traditional and innovative solutions. The right GPO can help you reduce day-to-day labor strain and build a more flexible approach to labor woes overall.
Entegra close-up:
• Find custom labor-saving solutions. Ready-to-use culinary bases like sauces and soups and pre-cut French fries save time.
• Leverage automation. Automated labor solutions — think robots that help with cleaning and food prep — ease pressure on lean teams without sacrificing quality.
• Streamline access to flex staffing. For events and peak periods, tap Entegra’s trusted partners who provide on-demand staffing to cover surges, avoid overtime and protect your core team.
• Make cross-training easier. With support from Entegra advisors and supplier partners, operators can upskill staff across roles.
Wasted food and ingredients erode margins
A GPO helps you activate waste reduction programs, reengineer your menus to optimize every ingredient and analyze and adjust portion sizes
Entegra close-up:
• Deploy waste reduction programs. With Entegra’s partner, Leanpath, clients get better data to tweak menus, adjust portion sizes and reduce food waste, a major contributor to carbon emissions.
• Reduce SKUs to cut food waste and prep time. Entegra’s GPO network and Entegra Culinary Consulting team regularly help operators source higher-quality ingredients at lower cost. Think holistically by optimizing your entire menu, from purchasing and buying analysis to elevating menu presentation and dish descriptors.
• Close the loop with recycling and composting solutions. Denali, the nation’s leading full-service organic recycling company and an Entegra supplier partner, helps businesses achieve food waste diversion goals and save on costs.
If we see volatility in a center-ofplate category, we can proactively develop recipes that utilize stable, high-quality alternative cuts or value-added items that protect margins without sacrificing guest experience.
“
Chef Lynn Hay Head of Culinary, Entegra Culinary Consulting
Challenge #4
Lack of transparency and poor reporting weaken decision quality
For hospitality-driven operators, every purchasing decision affects margins, cash flow and day to day operations.
When pricing and/or VDA (variable distributor allowance) details are unclear, reporting is incomplete or value is hidden behind fine print, operators are left making critical decisions with only part of the picture.
Why transparency matters to busy hospitality operators
Entegra close-up:
Transparency means clarity — not complexity, including:
• Seeing the full financial impact — not just invoice pricing
Going beyond surface level pricing to show the total value of a program, Entegra helps operators understand what they’re really getting from each decision.
• Making choices that align with cash flow
Clear visibility helps operators weigh trade-offs and select options that support managing spend and returns.
• Preparing for cost changes
Early insight into potential price increases — and the reasons behind them — allows operators to plan ahead instead of reacting after costs hit.
• Driving clearer, more confident decisions
With fewer blind spots and less ambiguity, operators can move forward confidently, knowing they’re choosing based on facts.
Clear reporting. Smarter decisions.
Monthly pricing, inflation and commodity reports support future-facing purchasing decisions.
The biannual Cost Outlook report keeps you plugged in to supply chain and commodity updates.
Every day, 250+ supply category managers are working on your behalf.
Utility bills are eating into margins
Accessing savings programs that support decreasing energy and water usage is an important GPO added value.
Entegra close-up:
Transparency means clarity — not complexity, including:
• Tap vetted, proven solutions: Working in partnership with Sodexo Facilities Management, Entegra supports clients with:
– Utility expense management
– Energy benchmarking
– Energy procurement
• Leverage responsible sourcing: From water-saving laundry solutions to vetted cleaning products that reduce harmful chemicals, Entegra does the homework and operators reap the rewards.
• Reduce energy usage: Occupancy-sensing devices that adjust lighting and temperature. Energy Star programs to reduce facility energy usage. Energy-free exercise equipment. Entegra keeps its finger on the pulse of energy solutions and services, so our clients don’t have to.
1. Make it easier. Get support sourcing and ordering cost effective, sustainable supplier solutions and services.
2. Source with confidence. Ecovadis, an Entegra partner, makes it easy for operators to ascertain whether a supplier is an ethical, responsible partner, saving operators time on auditing responsible sourcing partners.
3. Reduce time spent reporting. Track, analyze and access reporting on your supplier inclusion initiatives all from one centralized view.
GPO savings that flex by industry
One-size-fits-all procurement misses the operational needs that matter to your distinct operation. Here are just a few ways Entegra narrows the procurement playing field:
Lodging
• Amenity dispenser programs to reduce room turn time
• Automated refill tools to cut plastic waste
• Surge staffing for banquets and events through trusted partners
• Founding member of the Hospitality Alliance for Responsible Procurement (HARP)
Restaurants
• Ready to use culinary bases to reduce prep time
• Low-prep SKUs that ease backof-house labor pressure
• Flexible, on demand staffing for peak shifts across foodservice
• Back-of-house programs that turn waste into savings
Senior Living
• Standardized SKUs to improve dietary and BOH efficiency
• Consistency tools to support staffing stability
• Waste reduction programs tailored to senior dining
• Energy basics designed for 24/7 operations
Leisure
& Entertainment
• Event-driven surge staffing support
• Simplified concession SKUs to speed up service
• Energy controls for large common and shared spaces
Get GPO support to improve efficiency across your
Go beyond procurement with Entegra
Save more. Spend smarter. Cut costs with savings programs and boost business performance overall.
Your operations, simplified. Local, regional and direct-to-you suppliers.
Transparent by design. Track spend, savings and purchasing with Entegra PurchasingIQ.
Better products. Better value. Unlock exclusive GPO pricing and qualityassured products with ease.
AI-powered savings
Unlock instant savings with Entegra Shopping Assistant, all while you shop.
