“It’s like peeking behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz.” Bill Glass of B&A Food Brokers sums up the food broker biz perfectly. He has a long history of working in the restaurant industry, but before coming to B&A, he was unaware of how much goes on behind the curtain.

“It’s like I’m back in school,” says Glass. “I learn something different every day.”

His colleague, Jeff Lorey, agrees. “I had no idea that this took place behind the scenes. After school, Lorey had wanted to be a stock broker, but a friend called him to interview for a food broker job. On the interview, not only did he land the gig, but he met his wife.

Eventually, he created his own company, sold it to a larger entity, then started on a new adventure with B&A. He loves the business because he loves people, and at its core, that’s what B&A is about. B&A prides itself on trying to educate others in the industry.

“If we help that operator succeed, we all win,” says Lorey.

Glass and Lorey’s advice for a great restaurant? “Have a plan, know who you are, and be consistent,” says Lorey. The largest chains they work with use that secret recipe. They may not have the best food, but they’re consistent plate to plate, franchise to franchise.

Peek behind the curtain of the food industry and get to know B&A Food Brokers.