Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find out about the latest recalls?

• Our Quality Assurance team has a recall system in place with product traceability to inform customers by phone, recall letters, and in-store postings.

  Visit our Quality Assurance page or our News & Events page for more information.

Can you help me be HACCP (Hazard Analysis at Critical Control Points) compliant?

• We offer a variety of in-service training to help implement internal training programs in compliance with federal regulations. We also offer ServSafe certification classes to our food service distribution customers for information on HACCP compliance.

  Learn more on our Quality Assurance page.

What food safety training materials do you offer? Do the materials help me with my in-house sanitation?

• We offer Sunrise Basic Training Food Service Series (a DVD series covering many food service topics), multiple resources on Gordon Experience, as well as ServSafe certification classes for training materials.

  Learn more on our Quality Assurance page. 

How can you help me turn a health inspector visit into a positive experience?

• Know your local health code, and ask your health inspector for the checklist ahead of time so that you won’t be surprised on the day of the visit. Practice looking for the items on the list, and on the day of the visit, stay calm and relax.

  Visit our Quality Assurance page for more tools and forms for health code inspections. 

Do you have information on how hand washing impacts sanitation?

• We offer multiple resources on Gordon Experience, including Sunrise Basic Training Food Service Series (a DVD series covering many food service topics) and ServSafe certification classes to help you with proper hand washing and how it affects sanitation.

  Learn more on our Quality Assurance page.  

What services can help me meet restaurant sanitary guidelines?

• Gordon Experience offers food service distribution customers a wide variety of training modules for sanitary guidelines and food safety requirements.

  Visit our Quality Assurance page for more information. 

How can you help me serve customers with food allergies?

• Awareness and diligence are the most important factors in serving customers with food allergies. Consider labeling your menus with clear identifiers of the most common food allergens.

  For more information, visit our Quality Assurance page.

How can I stay up-to-date on food safety issues?

• Food safety emails from us are a great way to stay in contact with food safety experts. You’ll also receive information about available ServSafe classes.

  Learn more on our Quality Assurance page. 

Can you help me provide food for customers with specific dietary needs?

• We offer presentations and resources on Gordon Experience to help create meals for food service distribution customers with dietary needs. We also have our own Nutrition Resource Center to help with special recipes and dietary information.

  To learn more, visit our Healthcare page.

I run a K-12 school program. How can I maximize my USDA reimbursement?

• You can maximize your USDA reimbursement by serving the highest number of meals possible that meet federal requirements. The main focus needs to be increasing student participation.

  Learn more on the Education page.

How do I open a second location, or start a new concept?

• We have the experience, the people, and many of the tools and resources to help you get your second restaurant up and running. We also offer a variety of customizable value-added solutions to help generate new concepts for your restaurant.

  Learn more on the Restaurants page or sign up to Become a Customer for further resources.

Do you have school menu templates?

• Yes, customers can take advantage of our electronic monthly and seasonal menus, with both 7-day and 5-day cycles. These templates are easy to use: simply enter your operation specifics to create full menus with a professional look.

  Learn more on the Education page or sign up to Become a Customer for access to “Making the Grade.”

What are the latest trends; what are people coming into my operation looking for most?

• We monitor the foodservice industry for the latest news and trends to keep your business current. 

  Sign up to Become a Customer to access industry information.

How can you help me become more profitable?

What do I need to know regarding regulatory compliance?

• Regulatory compliance can sometimes be a tricky subject. Educate yourself with our resources on compliance, or check out Gordon Experience for more information.

  Sign up to Become a Customer to learn more about our compliance services.

How do I find state-specific information for my school lunch program?

• The School Commodity Tracking System (SCT), found within Gordon Experience, provides visibility to commodity in all states. Each school district can review their entitlement balances, order commodity products, and capture all the information required for sales verification.

  Learn more on our Education page.

Do you have Cycle Menus that meet USDA meal guidelines?

• We offer a unique service for food service distribution customers who need cycle menus that are USDA-approved called Cycle Menu Management.

  Learn more on the Healthcare page.

Can you help me better understand tip compliance?

• Yes, we have resources available to help food service distribution customers comply with the IRS’ tip-reporting rules. Our customers have access to industry experts who will help with any questions.

  Sign up to Become a Customer to learn more about tip compliance. 

Can you help me meet USDA meal guidelines?

• Our annual “Making the Grade” book and CD are valuable resources for USDA meal criteria.

  Sign up on our Become a Customer page to learn more USDA meal guidelines.

Do you have in-service kits?

• We have in-service kits available for food service distribution customers in both the healthcare and education industries to help with training and education.

  Learn more on the Healthcare and Education pages.

What is in-store pickup?

• In-Store Pickup allows you to order products online, or at the store’s Customer Service desk, then schedule a pickup date that works best for you.

Where is the Gordon Food Service Store nearest me?

What forms of payment do the stores accept?

What is a Gordon Food Service Store?

• Our Store’s carry thousands of the most popular  products at wholesale prices. The stores are open to the public seven days a week and do not require a membership fee.

  Learn more about Gordon Food Service Store.

Are the stores open to the public?

• Yes, our stores are open to the public seven days a week and does not require a membership fee.

  Learn more about Gordon Food Service Store.

What is the Store return policy?

How do I find a great manager?

• We have a wide range of articles to help you with best hiring practices. Our food service distribution customers have access to experts who have been in the industry for years, and have compiled the resources to help you find the best staff possible.

  Sign up on our Become a Customer page to learn more.

How do I serve customers with nutritional concerns and questions?

• We offer many resources to our customers to help address nutritional concerns, including our Nutrition Guide, our “Making the Grade” publication, our Recipe Manager, and Cycle Menu Management tool.

  Learn more on the Education page, the Healthcare page, or the Restaurants page.

How can tou save me time?

• Because we know your time is valuable, we offer a variety of value-added products and services. Foodservice distribution customers can place orders online, create limited-time offers, and find new on-trend recipes, all on Gordon Experience, a website exclusively available to our customers.

  Learn more on our Appetizer Product page or our Restaurant page.

How can I determine which USDA commodities provide the best value for my school?

• The School Commodity Tracking (SCT) program, found within Gordon Experience, provides visibility to all commodity activity.

  Learn more on the Education page.

How can you help me better market my business?

• We understand how important it is to market your operation. That’s why we have chosen a third party that provides a wide range of marketing services to give you a competitive marketing edge.

  Learn more about our marketing services on the Restaurant, Healthcare, and Education pages.

How do you help me plan for the future?

• We offer exclusive consultation to individual businesses through our Customer Development Specialists. These professionals will help you secure repeat customers with tried and true methods.

  Sign up to learn more on our Become a Customer page.

How can you help me with staffing issues?

• We offer a series of training DVDs and in-services to help you address the most common staff issues. Customers have an opportunity to choose which solution fits their needs.

  Sign up on our Become a Customer page to learn more.

What other ways do you help customers besides price and product?

• Our focus is on the “service” in our name. We offer a multitude of resources to help your business be successful, such as consultation, Limited Time Offer (LTO) options, cycle menus, and much more.

  Become a Customer to find out more, or learn more on the Restaurant, Healthcare, and Education pages.

Why would I have my own account rep?

• Once you become a customer, you will have the opportunity to work with a Customer Development Specialist that will be able to advise you on the products and services you need to keep your operation running smoothly.

  Learn more on our About Us page.

What areas do you service?

• We distribute to foodservice operators within the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the United States and coast-to-coast in Canada.

  For more specific locations, see the Locations page.

How do I request a donation from you?

• In recognizing the importance of community involvement, and to insure that the contributions available are used for the intended purposes, certain standards have been established for the granting of donations. Please be advised that contributions of funds or products are made to bona fide charitable 501(c)3 and educational groups only. Learn more on the Donations page.

What types of customers choose Gordon Food Service?

• We can meet the needs of a variety of customers. Our food service distribution customers include restaurants, healthcare, and educational facilities, recreational and lodging establishments, and other operators who prepare meals. Our store customers include party planners, restaurants, non-profit organizations, and family shoppers.

  Learn more on the Our Markets page or by visiting gfsstore.com.

How do I become a  customer?

• Sign up on our Become a Customer page to become a food service distribution customer or go to our store locator to find your local Gordon Food Service Store.

How can I apply for a job?

• Check out our open positions and submit your application online on the Careers page.

What types of products do you offer?

• We offer customers an extensive line of private brand, nationally branded, and exclusive products. In addition, we offer an array of specialty products ranging from specialty coffees to specialty meats and cheeses.

  For listings of specific product types, see the Our Products page.

Who can I talk to if I have a question not answered here?

• Email general questions to info@gfs.com. For store questions, email store@gfs.com.

  For the main operator call (888) 437-3663.

How do I inquire about getting food service delivery?

• Sign up on the Become a Customer page and we will contact you.

  Send additional questions to info@gfs.com or call customer service at (800) 968-4164