I would like to put my pound cakes in a restaurant (or 2 or 3) I have sold them to a coffee shop before but like once a week.

I do contract work at a bakery (mentioned before, friend does cookies) but I would like to get to the point where I use her space as my own business.

so with that said, what would you say to said restaurant when u call? Im thinking I would want to take a sample in there and I wouldn't just want to show up with it becaue the owner may/may not be there.

I would call and ask for an appointement with the owner. Telling that you've got something to propose to him/her. Bring samples of many flavors and/or style of cake you do. I'm working to do the same thing myself, but with the local caterer. Since I do business with a caterer that lives 3½ hours away from here, maybe it would be great to do business with the local one!!!

Good luck and keep us posted!!!

I would go first with maybe a sample or two, and just see if you can first reach the person overall in charge of ordering. By going in first you almost force them to at least talk to you and if they are interested then you have a few samples with you, from there you can set an appointment to bring in your portfolio and more samples. I have been in the situation before and 9 times out of 10 when you call it is much easier for someone to say NO THANKS, for most people it is much easier than saying it to your face.

also, make sure that you do have availability to the space before you commit to making pound cakes for restaurants.

You may have orders and your kitchen may not allow you the extra time to sell them!

Good luck on your venture!!

thank yuo for you gusy responses.

I pretty much have free reign with the kitchen space so I'm not really worried about that. Waht I do intend to do is only bake on certain days (like tell the store I will deliver 2 days out of the week. I don't really want to bake a cake a day know what I mean?

My aunt owns a restaurant (makes her own desserts, we are a family of cooks lol) and she suggested that I call first which is what I was thinking, and try to set up an appointment to drop off samples (like a quarter of a cake only) to the owner. I understand what you guys are saying definately, but I would be irritated if I kept going in and seeing little Susie, the girl who works there after school. I wouldn't leave my stuff there without speaking to the owner/person in charge first.

I have to finish my costing so I have a few days or so.

Definetly go with your aunts advice and call and make an appointment. I own a restaurant and nothing irritates me more than reps or salespeople just turning up and expecting me to drop everything to speak to them, I find it really rude.

When you call I would focus on the samples, and if they agree they would like to try them ask when would be a convenient time to bring them over. When you bring them to the restaurant make sure that you have a price list printed up with the samples and a business card. If they like the samples the first thing they will want to know is "how much" and "how to do I contact you if I want to order".

Are you willing to invoice them if they do order? If you want payment on delivery then you will probably need to have something extra special otherwise they will order from someone who does invoice. Eg. We pay our baker (bread) cash because he gives us a really great price & product but we don't do that for just anyone.

Good luck