Testimonials from satisfied members!

"The Dining Alliance purchasing programs offer me well over $100,000 dollars in savings per year and the piece of mind knowing that I am on contract prices and my sales representatives have no control over my prices."

"Before we joined Dining Alliance every month I was wrangling with the chef to determine why our food costs were so high. We had a 30% target and every month our costs were coming in over 35%. The first thing we did with the Dining Alliance was to switch to Pepsi and our costs went down 23%. Second, even though the Alliance chose my then-current produce vendor as our preferred vendor, my cost for produce went down between 20% and 25%. These savings continued as we chose a paper vendor, a meat vendor and a broadliner. I expect these savings to continue as we choose a dairy vendor, a linen company, etc. The end result is that for the last few months my food cost is under 27%. Annualized, I expect to save $75,000 to $100,000 directly as a result of my participation with the Dining Alliance. Over the next months and, perhaps years, as we endure this recession, it is going to be very difficult to increase sales. Therefore, it is even more important to control costs, and Dining Alliance will help us do that."

"When you try to compete with all of the chains coming into the market place, whatever you can do to strengthen your position along with everybody else in that area, you do. Because of the number of people that Dining Alliance brings together, you get more security within that structure."

"Dining Alliance offers a wonderful opportunity for the independent restaurateur to receive some of the same purchasing deals that the large chains enjoy everyday. When we join together, our combined purchases equal significant buying power! I can’t think of a reason that any independent restaurant would not want to become part of Dining Alliance. I was proud to be the first Pennsylvania member and hope and expect that the success Dining Alliance has enjoyed in New York State will be duplicated throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

"The economic timing of Dining Alliance Boston is perfect. We have tended to be so insulated and secretive about what we buy from whom. However, with the ever increasing costs in fuel, food and supplies, it behooves us all to take a very close look at co-operative buying and menu efficiency. We've all studied it, so why not actually do it? We're all looking for an edge to compete in a very tough market, so I say, 'Work smarter, not harder'. Join Dining Alliance!"

"I feel it is important for independents to work together because the corporations have many investors that are keeping the chains going. As independents we can only depend on ourselves unless we are involved in a group like Dining Alliance. It is helpful to have other hands involved to help with suppliers and pricing. We can't do it alone and Dining Alliance gives us the chance to work together to get the best pricing available."

"The timing of Dining Alliance coming to Boston was excellent due to this sort of choppy, funny economic situation we are in right now. You find it is pretty hard to increase the foot traffic to your building. With that said, our costs are driving upward. There are really only two cards left in the deck; your labor costs and your costs of goods sold. I think that is why so many operator/owners are embracing the Dining Alliance because it has really given us the chance to control some cost increases. We do not want to increase our prices. Dining Alliance has given us the ability to keep our prices in check. Other independents that haven't seen the Dining Alliance experience are being forced to increase their prices and you have to be careful increasing prices because your customer will start to perceive you differently."

"Who else will actually save you money, at your bottom line with no cost to you? With the chains exploding around the Pittsburgh area, it is very difficult to compete. They have lower expenses and higher profit margin. We are always providing a quality product. As independents, we rely on our quality to sustain our existence. Now with Dining Alliance, we will be able to continue to provide a quality product and still compete with the chains."

"In these trying times for the restaurant industry, and the economy as a whole, it has been a pleasure to be associated with such a dedicated group of individuals that make up the Dining Alliance. Since becoming a member in the Boston area we, as a company (Eight Restaurants), have made savings in the tens of thousands of dollars and continue to make savings on a daily basis. The Dining Alliance works tirelessly to get the independent restaurateur the best possible pricing across the multitude of products we all need to remain competitive in these tough economic times and beyond. By banding together the independent restaurateurs of America will have a voice that can be more powerful than the chains and receive competitive pricing that we can pass on to our customers."