Next generation online marketplace FoodByUs is expanding its offering of hundreds of wholesale food suppliers to include alcohol.
The “one stop procurement shop” for small to medium-sized hospitality businesses allows users to search and compare, and take advantage of buying power enjoyed by much larger businesses.
FoodByUs began in 2016, and is the brainchild of several of the founders of Menulog. It connects thousands of venues with hundreds of wholesale food suppliers on a single platform.
Some pubs have already begun using FoodByUs for alcohol too, such as the Zetland Hotel, Rocks Brewing Taphouse in Alexandria, and Anthony Hammond’s Victoria Hotel, in Footscray, citing its facility to compare various alcohol products transparently.
“This means the pricing is better than what they can get directly, especially on more popular items like spirits and beer,” offers Ben Lipschitz, co-founder and managing director.
“Alcohol is such a big component of the dining experience, so we’re pleased to expand our offering to help business owners make better informed choices when ordering by making it easier for them to find the best deals in the market.”
Within the system comes a range of innovative functions, including one-tap price comparison, digital issue resolution, best-in-class search, seamless integration and streamlined administration.
“The greater the number of categories clients use, the more our technology demonstrates its value.
“FoodByUs can help them to track and monitor all expenditures in the one place and our technology has been developed to push invoices automatically into their Xero.”
The platform facilitates instant ordering from major suppliers, including Global Food & Wine Distribution, Delre National, Superior Food Service and Foodlink.
Backed by F J Labs and Macquarie Capital and having grown 600 per cent in annual sales since 2019, including a recent launch in Queensland, FoodByUs now looks to the $2bn liquor sector and has already signed wholesale suppliers The Liquor Co-Op (part of Independent Liquor Group), National Liquor Wholesalers, Shorty’s Liquor, S&P Liquor, Monacellars, My Liquor Online, BoozeBud, and Akasha Brewery.
This gives hospitality businesses access to tens of thousands of beer, wine and spirits products at competitive prices.
Lipschitz says FoodByUs was created on a premise of a rising tide benefitting all and using technology for good.
“Our platform helps hospitality businesses get back time spent on tedious admin and accounting tasks while increasing profitability. When these businesses can access a wider range of suppliers and best-in-market pricing, the whole industry benefits.”
