Best Products to Buy in Bulk: 25 Items That Actually Save You Money

1. Commercial BBQ Sauce

Why it's perfect for bulk: BBQ sauce has an incredibly long shelf life (often 18-24 months unopened), works across countless dishes, and the price difference between retail bottles and commercial sizes is substantial.

Restaurants, caterers, and serious home cooks go through BBQ sauce at an impressive rate. A single catering event can use gallons of sauce. The Cattlemen's Smoky Base BBQ Sauce in 5-gallon containers offers restaurant-quality flavor at a fraction of the per-ounce cost of supermarket bottles.

Best for: Restaurants, food trucks, catering businesses, BBQ enthusiasts, large families

Typical savings: 30-40% compared to retail bottles

2. Premium Butter Chicken Sauce

Indian cuisine has exploded in popularity, and butter chicken remains the most requested dish. Commercial-grade butter chicken sauce eliminates hours of prep time while delivering consistent, authentic flavor.

The Richardson Ultimate Butter Chicken Sauce in 4L containers provides the perfect balance of cream, tomato, and spices. One container can serve 30-40 people, making it ideal for restaurants serving Indian cuisine or meal prep businesses.

Best for: Indian restaurants, meal prep services, caterers, fusion food concepts

Typical savings: 25-35% versus making from scratch when you factor in ingredient costs and labor

3. Soy Sauce

Few condiments see as much use as soy sauce in commercial kitchens. From marinades to stir-fries, dipping sauces to salad dressings, soy sauce appears in dozens of applications daily.

Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce in 3.78L bottles delivers the authentic flavor professional chefs demand. The larger format means fewer orders, less packaging waste, and substantial cost savings.

Best for: Asian restaurants, sushi bars, any kitchen using Asian-inspired dishes

Typical savings: 20-30% compared to retail bottles

4. Teriyaki Sauce

Sweet, savory, and endlessly versatile, teriyaki sauce works as a marinade, glaze, stir-fry sauce, and dipping sauce. Its sugar content gives it excellent shelf stability.

The Golden Dragon Thick Teriyaki Sauce in 4L containers offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, with 2 units per case for easy inventory management.

Best for: Japanese restaurants, meal prep services, food trucks, marinades

Typical savings: 25-35% in bulk formats

5. Beef Tallow

Traditional cooking fats are making a major comeback, and beef tallow leads the charge. Professional chefs prize it for high-heat cooking, superior flavor, and excellent shelf life.

The Sysco Canadian Beef Tallow Shortening (20kg/44lbs) is currently one of our best sellers at $127.43, offering a 24% discount. This Canadian-made product provides the clean, beefy flavor that makes restaurant fries legendary. Tallow has a smoke point of 420°F, making it perfect for deep frying, and it can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container for months.

Best for: Restaurants specializing in fries, traditional cooking, high-heat applications

Typical savings: 24% or more in bulk quantities

Pro tip: One 20kg container can fry approximately 400-500 pounds of french fries, depending on your cooking method.

6. Premium Icing Sugar

Bakeries and dessert-focused businesses burn through icing sugar at an astounding rate. Every batch of buttercream, every dusted pastry, every glazed donut requires it.

Rogers Icing Sugar in 20kg bags eliminates the constant restocking of small retail boxes. Professional bakers know that maintaining consistent sugar quality matters, and Rogers delivers reliable results batch after batch.

Best for: Bakeries, pastry shops, catering companies, home bakers doing large projects

Typical savings: 35-45% compared to retail boxes

7. Artichoke Hearts

Preserved artichoke hearts maintain excellent quality in bulk formats and serve countless applications from pizzas to salads, pasta dishes to antipasto platters.

Gordon Choice Artichoke Hearts (2.5kg) come with case and pallet pricing options, allowing you to scale your purchase to your needs. For high-volume operations, pallet pricing can push savings even higher.

Best for: Italian restaurants, pizza shops, Mediterranean cuisine, salad bars

Typical savings: 30-40% with case purchases, up to 50% with pallet orders

8. Slushy Concentrates

Summer crowds demand frozen drinks, and slushy concentrates deliver huge profit margins with minimal effort. Mix concentrate with ice and water in a slushy machine, and you've got a product that costs pennies per serving but sells for dollars.

Our best-selling Slush Puppie Blue Raspberry 5:1 Concentrate (4L) at $47.78 and Slush Puppie Cherry 5:1 Concentrate (4L) at the same price point are favorites for concession stands, food trucks, and convenience stores. One 4L container makes approximately 20 liters of finished slushy, translating to 80-100 servings.

The Concession Stand Slushy Syrup 5:1 Concentrate at $51.77 offers an alternative for those wanting variety beyond the Slush Puppie brand, with multiple flavors available.

Best for: Concession stands, movie theaters, convenience stores, food trucks, amusement venues

Typical savings: 50-60% per serving versus pre-made frozen drinks

Profit margins: 300-500% markup is standard in the industry

9. Coffee Beans

Coffee programs drive morning traffic and complement any food service operation. Cafes, restaurants with breakfast service, and hotels all need consistent, quality coffee.

Premium options like Montague Harbour Medium Roast Organic Coffee Beans (907g/2lbs cases) ensure you're serving exceptional coffee while controlling costs. Bulk coffee buying also means you can experiment with different roasts without committing to massive quantities of a single variety.

Best for: Cafes, restaurants, hotels, Airbnb properties, office break rooms

Typical savings: 20-30% on quality beans versus retail bags

10. Tea Selections

Tea service adds sophistication to any hospitality operation with minimal effort. Unlike coffee that requires equipment and skill, tea simply needs hot water and variety.

Options like Bigelow Green Tea Single Serve Pods (18/box, 6/case) make service effortless while Brisk Iced Tea (2L, 8/case) provides ready-to-serve refreshment.

Best for: Hotels, Airbnbs, restaurants, cafes, corporate offices

Typical savings: 25-35% buying by the case

11. Soft Serve Mix

Ice cream shops, restaurants with dessert programs, and concession stands find that soft serve machines pay for themselves through high-margin sales. The key is consistent, quality mix.

Frostline Vanilla Soft Serve Mix Lactose Free (6lbs) is our best seller in this category for good reason. It's lactose-free (expanding your potential customer base), produces consistent results, and has excellent shelf life when stored properly. Each 6-pound bag makes approximately 4 gallons of finished soft serve.

Best for: Ice cream shops, restaurants, concession stands, food trucks

Typical savings: 30-40% versus pre-made ice cream

Profit potential: Cost per cone: $0.15-0.25; Selling price: $2-4 (800-1,500% markup)

12. Ice Cream Toppings

Once you've invested in soft serve equipment, bulk toppings maximize your profit and customer satisfaction. The Dutch Treat line offers exceptional variety in true bulk sizes.

Options include Dutch Treat Strawberry Krunch (4.5kg), Dutch Treat Chocolate Mint Sprinkles (4.5kg), Dutch Treat Cotton Candy Crunch (4.5kg), and Dutch Treat Mini Gummy Bears (4.5kg). These professional sizes mean you're buying topping supply for months, not weeks.

Best for: Ice cream shops, dessert-focused restaurants, concession stands

Typical savings: 40-50% versus retail containers

13. Portion Control Condiments

Hotels, Airbnbs, breakfast buffets, and takeout operations need individual serving packets that look professional and control costs.

Smucker's Pure Grape Jelly portion control packets come 200 per case, with pallet options available (10,000 units per pallet for serious volume buyers). Each packet provides a perfect single serving, eliminating waste from bulk dispensers and providing guests with sealed, hygienic options.

Best for: Hotels, Airbnbs, continental breakfasts, takeout restaurants, healthcare facilities

Typical savings: 35-45% versus buying retail jam jars and portioning yourself

14. Commercial Lawn & Garden Products

Facilities with outdoor spaces need reliable maintenance products in quantities that make sense. Running out of weed killer mid-project is frustrating and expensive.

Ortho Killex (1L) is one of our best sellers, currently offering a 29% discount at $39.82. This Canadian-made selective weed control works on lawns without harming grass when used properly. Buying in bulk means you're ready for spring cleanup, mid-summer touchups, and fall preparation.

Best for: Hotels with landscaping, multi-property owners, property management companies, Airbnb hosts

Typical savings: 29% or more on volume purchases

15. Professional Cleaning Supplies

Every hospitality operation, restaurant, or commercial facility needs consistent access to cleaning products. Running out means either emergency shopping at retail prices or compromised cleanliness.

Bulk commercial cleaning supplies ensure you maintain standards while controlling costs. Professional-grade products like the Pink Solution Combo Bundle also tend to be more concentrated than retail versions, meaning you use less per application.

Best for: Hotels, restaurants, Airbnb properties, commercial facilities, offices

Typical savings: 30-50% versus retail cleaning products

16. Seasoning Blends

Professional kitchens rely on consistent seasoning, and bulk formats ensure you never run out mid-service. Pre-blended seasonings also save labor versus mixing individual spices for every dish.

Lawry's Sloppy Joe Seasoning (15oz, 6/case) exemplifies how bulk buying works for seasonings. One case provides enough seasoning for hundreds of servings, with excellent shelf life if stored properly in a cool, dry place.

Best for: Restaurants, school cafeterias, large-scale meal prep, catering

Typical savings: 25-35% buying by the case

17. Specialty Salts

Professional chefs know that different salts serve different purposes. Kosher salt for cooking and brining, sea salt for finishing, flavored salts for upscale presentations.

Salt Works Pacific Blue Kosher Flake Salt (2.2-9kg options) provides the light, flaky texture chefs prefer for seasoning and finishing. For elevated dining experiences, Salt Works Black Truffle Gourmet Sea Salt (1.8kg) adds luxury to everything from steaks to popcorn.

Best for: Upscale restaurants, steakhouses, catering companies, specialty food producers

Typical savings: 40-50% versus retail containers at specialty stores

18. Table Salt

Basic table salt is a kitchen fundamental, and buying in bulk makes economic sense for any operation using it daily.

Windsor Table Salt (1kg boxes, 24/case) provides Canadian-made quality with the convenience of smaller boxes for easy handling while still offering bulk pricing.

Best for: Restaurants, diners, breakfast spots, hotels with food service

Typical savings: 30-40% on bulk sizes

19. Cake Cones

Ice cream shops and dessert vendors go through hundreds or thousands of cones weekly during peak season. Running out means turning away customers.

JOY Cake Cone Dispensers (672/case) provide over 600 cones in a single, organized case. This isn't just cost savings—it's operational efficiency. Your staff spends less time managing inventory and more time serving customers.

Best for: Ice cream shops, concession stands, restaurants with dessert programs

Typical savings: 35-45% versus buying cones in retail quantities

20. Food Service Wraps

Takeout and food trucks need dependable packaging that presents food well and prevents leaks or spills. Basket liners and deli wraps serve multiple purposes—they look professional, protect food, and make eating easier.

Options like Sysco Classic Liner Basket Black Check 12x12 (2000/case) or Gordon 12" x 12" Red Check Deli Sandwich Liners (2000/case) provide months of supply for most operations. The peace of mind from knowing you won't run out during your busiest weekend is worth the bulk purchase alone.

Best for: Food trucks, concession stands, delis, takeout restaurants, catering

Typical savings: 40-50% versus buying smaller quantities

21. Bar & Beverage Syrups

Coffee shops, smoothie bars, and restaurants with creative beverage programs need flavor variety. Bulk syrup buying lets you offer extensive options without tying up capital in dozens of retail bottles.

Browse Torani syrups available in bulk formats to build a signature beverage program that differentiates your business.

Best for: Coffee shops, smoothie bars, bars, restaurants, bubble tea shops

Typical savings: 25-35% on bulk syrup purchases

22. Butter-Flavored Oils

The flavor of butter with the high smoke point and shelf stability of oil—that's the magic of butter-flavored cooking oils. They're essential for any operation that wants rich flavor in high-temperature cooking.

Whirl Butter Flavored Oil (1-gallon) works for everything from sautéing to popcorn topping. It doesn't require refrigeration and maintains quality far longer than real butter.

Best for: Popcorn vendors, restaurants, bakeries, movie theaters, any high-volume cooking operation

Typical savings: 25-35% versus buying retail bottles

23. Asian Sauce Varieties

Restaurants offering Asian-inspired dishes need authentic sauces that deliver real flavor. Bulk buying of hoisin, plum sauce, and specialty Asian condiments ensures you're ready for any menu need.

Building a collection of Asian sauces in bulk formats—like Golden Dragon Hoisin Sauce (4L) and various plum sauce options—means you can create diverse menus without constantly reordering.

Best for: Asian restaurants, fusion concepts, meal prep services

Typical savings: 30-40% on commercial sizes

24. Indian Curry Sauces

Indian cuisine demands authentic, complex sauces that take hours to prepare traditionally. High-quality prepared sauces deliver restaurant-quality results in ready-to-use formats.

Patak's Butter Chicken (2.2L) and their full line of curry sauces provide the deep, authentic flavors customers expect. Each container can serve 15-20 people, depending on how you use it.

Best for: Indian restaurants, meal prep services, hotels with diverse menus, catering

Typical savings: 35-45% versus making from scratch, factoring in ingredients and labor

25. French's Smoky BBQ Sauce

In addition to Cattlemen's, French's Smoky BBQ Sauce (3.78L/1 gallon, 4/case) offers another excellent option for operations needing quality BBQ sauce in commercial quantities.

Best for: Restaurants, caterers, food trucks

Typical savings: 30-40% versus retail bottles

How much can I really save buying in bulk?

Studies show average savings of 27% when buying in bulk, though this varies significantly by product category. Cleaning supplies and shelf-stable foods often show savings of 30-50%, while perishables may offer only 10-20% savings. The key is choosing products with long shelf lives and high usage rates.

What products should I never buy in bulk?

Avoid bulk purchasing of highly perishable items you won't use quickly, products you haven't tested before (buy small first to verify quality), trendy items that may fall out of favor, and anything requiring refrigeration unless you have commercial cold storage. Also skip bulk buying products with short shelf lives relative to your usage rate.

How do I store bulk products properly?

Storage requirements vary by product:

• Dry goods: Cool, dry location away from direct sunlight in sealed containers
• Sauces and condiments: Follow label instructions; most require refrigeration after opening
• Spices and seasonings: Airtight containers in dark, cool locations
• Cleaning supplies: According to label instructions, away from food items
• Frozen items: Commercial-grade freezers maintaining consistent temperatures

Can I buy in bulk without a business license?

Yes! Many bulk suppliers, including ChickenPieces.com, sell to both businesses and consumers with no membership required. You don't need a business license, tax ID, or minimum purchase. This democratizes access to wholesale pricing for serious home users, small operations, and anyone wanting to save money.

What's the best way to organize bulk purchases?

Implement a first-in, first-out (FIFO) system where older inventory gets used before new purchases. Label everything with purchase dates and expiration dates. Create a dedicated storage area organized by product category. Keep a running inventory so you know what you have before reordering.

How do I know if I'm getting a good bulk price?

Calculate the unit price (total cost ÷ quantity) and compare it to what you currently pay. Look for at least 20% savings to justify bulk buying. Don't forget to factor in any quality differences—sometimes the bulk version is a different grade than retail. Research typical wholesale pricing for your product category to establish benchmarks.