American Food Network | Application Preview
The American Food Network is applying for government grants to enhance its operations, which have been challenged as an Asian immigrant-owned business. The funds will be used to upgrade outdated equipment, replace old vehicles, and invest in necessary technology, such as trucks and forklifts, which are vital for competing in the grocery wholesale industry.
In the coming year, the business plans to establish a New York office to facilitate direct importation and expand its reach on the East Coast. The company has successfully developed strong community ties over the past seven years, serving over 100 customers, including retail and ethnic grocery stores and restaurants. This foundation has motivated the business to grow its team and broaden its product offerings to include sales out of state.
The applicant highlights the importance of funding for transitioning to the next stage of growth. Currently relying on a single old delivery van and without a forklift, the business struggles to manage deliveries effectively and compete against larger competitors such as ITU Grocers, Premier Foods, and Shan Distribution Trading, who possess more resources and equipment.
The competitive advantage of American Food Network lies in its family-oriented approach and deep-rooted community connections. With over 30 years of industry experience, the owner has developed relationships that allow for open communication with clients. This enables the business to cater to specific product needs at competitive prices, while also providing credit options to support local small businesses. Approval of this grant would greatly assist in realizing the company's growth potential and community impact.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 812828986
Location: Willowbrook, IL, United States
Length of Operation: 6-10
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: $1M to $10M
Annual Gross Expense: $1M to $10M
Open to Loans: NO
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Funding Usage
As an Asian immigrant, it is difficult to compete in this industry. At the moment we are using outdated equipment, old vehicles, and have a lack of technology. If we are approved, we will be purchasing equipment to help us compete with our competition who are able to have trucks, forklifts, pallet jacks, and software and technology that we do not.
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Business Plan
We will be opening up a New York office within the next year so that we are present on the East Coast and have a place to receive our imported containers directly. We have also expanded our catalogue of products and plan on continuing to use technology to help us compete with our competitors. We are a family owned Asian business that has spent the last 7 years form close ties within the community, which has allowed us to sell to over 100 customers (retail stores, restaurants). We would like to start selling more out of state and to grow our team in order to do so. I am a South-East Asian immigrant who has been growing this business for the last 7 years. I have formed strong ties and relationships within this close knit community and worked hard to where we are currently serving over 100 customers that include retail grocery stores, ethnic grocery stores, wholesalers, and ethnic restaurants. I have done this thanks to support from my family and my own hard work and dedication. In order to take this company to the next stage, I need to upgrade my equipment. We have just 1 old van we use for our deliveries and no forklift. It is taxing on us to make deliveries and compete in the grocery wholesale industry and we just need a little help to help us transition into the next stage.
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Self Identified Competition
Our top 3 competitors are ITU Grocers, Premier Foods, Shan Distribution Trading. These 3 companies are also selling to ethnic stores and offering similar products. They have a lot larger team, catalogue of products, capital, and better equipment that helps them gain the competitive edge. We are a very small family owned business and I have been in this industry for over 30 years. I have lived in the Middle East and South East Asia and spent my life traveling and making connections. I am able to form close connections with our clients in our community that open up and can speak freely with me and my team because they feel listened to and heard. They tell us what products they would like and we provide them at a competitive and affordable price. We also give them credit to help ease their financial burden and help out small businesses whenever we are able to.
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Contact Applicant
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