How to Tell If Your Food Supplier Is Overcharging You (And What To Do About It)

Independent restaurant owners lose thousands yearly to quiet supplier price hikes. Here's how to spot them.

1. Signs You're Getting Ripped Off

• Prices creep up 5-15% without notice
• "Fair" increases don't match market drops
• Pack sizes shrink (same $ for less product)
• Items cost more than cash-and-carry wholesalers

2. Manual Check Method (Time-Consuming)

1. Pick 5 staple items (chicken, oil, napkins)
2. Check USDA wholesale reports or cash-and-carry prices
3. Compare your invoice

Takes hours/week.

3. Fast Way: Margin Ghost (Free Tool)

Upload invoice or type prices. Compares to 160+ weekly wholesale baselines. Flags overcharges in 30s. Copies negotiation list.

4. Negotiation Script

"Hey [Rep], market for [item] is $X at [wholesaler]. Invoice shows $Y. Can we align?"

Most match on spot.

Save $500+/Month

Most find 10+ overcharges first check. Pro unlocks full invoices.