Price Scout

Core Principles

For most shops and restaurants, COGS (cost of goods sold) is the single largest expense — often 30-40% of revenue. A 5% reduction in food or product cost drops straight to the bottom line, often doubling net profit. Price Scout systematically tracks supplier pricing so you never overpay for an ingredient or product.

The Five Rules of Smart Procurement

1. Never single-source. Every item should have at least 2 qualified suppliers. Competition drives prices down.
2. Total cost, not unit price. A cheaper case that incurs $15 shipping and requires $200 minimum order may cost more in reality.
3. Price isn't the only variable. Reliability, delivery windows, payment terms, and quality consistency all matter. Score suppliers holistically.
4. Renegotiate quarterly. Suppliers expect to be asked. If you haven't negotiated in 6 months, you're overpaying.
5. Monitor trends. When beef prices rise industry-wide, no supplier can beat the market — but they can give you better forward pricing or substitution options.

Skill Workflow

Step 1 — Build the Supplier & Price Database