How Much Does Restaurant Depot Membership Cost?

Published on October 20, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

Restaurant Depot is a wholesale cash and carry supplier for foodservice operators, caterers, food trucks, and nonprofits, offering case sizes, equipment, and supplies in large assortments across the United States. If you qualify, the membership price is $0, and you can shop in store seven days a week once your account is approved.

Eligibility is limited to businesses and nonprofits that can show basic documents such as a business license or IRS letter proving the organization, and, where applicable, a resale or tax-exempt certificate. Some states also require a Federal EIN at signup, and alcohol purchases require additional state licenses. The online application sends a temporary card by email; the store prints the permanent card.

If you are not eligible for membership, you can still access most Restaurant Depot items via Instacart delivery to your location. That route does not make you a member, but it gives non-members a way to buy a large share of the catalog.

Article Insights

• Membership is $0 for qualified businesses and nonprofits, finalized in store after online application.
• Returns are member-only with strict windows, so inspect orders on receipt.
• Online ordering includes service in the price, which can be higher than in store.
• Alternatives include paid clubs like Costco Business at $65 per year and WebstaurantPlus at $99 per month, which change your total cost.
• Accepted tenders include cash, debit, major cards, and approved business checks, with a fee for returned checks.

How Much Does Restaurant Depot Membership Cost?

Restaurant Depot membership fees are typically $0 for qualified businesses and nonprofits. The company’s terms and member-benefits pages repeat this point clearly. You still need to present your documentation at the store to finalize the account and print the card.

Expect a few small operational costs over time even with a free account. Replacing a lost card is handled at the welcome desk; the FAQ explains the process, and the services page notes you should report a lost or stolen card immediately. The site does not list a replacement fee, so plan your time, not cash, for this.

Taxes apply at checkout unless you have filed the correct exemption or resale paperwork that your state accepts. New York, for example, requires a properly completed exemption certificate within a defined window, and similar rules exist across states.

One nuance to flag is online ordering. Click and collect or delivery carries service baked into the online price, which is different from in-store shelf pricing. That can change your out-the-door total for the same basket.

To qualify, applicants must provide a valid reseller’s permit, tax-exempt certificate if applicable, and proof of authorization to purchase for the eligible business or organization. Once approved, members receive a membership card granting access to wholesale prices across all Restaurant Depot locations nationwide along with benefits like purchase history access, shopping lists, and special offers online.

While the membership itself is free, members must meet specific business or organizational requirements and present necessary licensing documents to the store for card issuance. Free membership cards are issued only at warehouse stores, and members use these cards for in-store shopping and online benefits through the company’s portal. Beer, wine, and spirits purchases require additional licensing.

A comparison with other wholesale membership options shows that unlike paid memberships such as Costco’s annual fees, Restaurant Depot’s membership is provided free to appropriate business customers, focusing on serving foodservice operators with wholesale pricing for food, kitchen equipment, and supplies. This model attracts small business owners looking to reduce supply costs while gaining access to a comprehensive product range without a membership fee.

You might also want to read our articles about the cost of Costco membership, Kroger Boost membership, or Walmart Plus.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Food truck startup, Houston. Owner brings a city business license and EIN, opens a free account, and spends $650–$900 monthly on proteins, tortillas, bulk onions, and paper goods. Without resale status, sales tax applies. With a current resale certificate on file, those resale-intended items can be tax exempt under state rules.

Café and bakery, Minneapolis–St. Paul. Two authorized buyers shop weekly for dairy, flour, oils, and beverage syrups, averaging $1,100–$1,400 per month. Returns are accepted only for members and only within the published windows, which matters for perishables that arrive damaged.

Caterer, New York City. Spend varies with events, spiking to $2,500–$4,000 in peak wedding season. The account holder keeps a resale certificate and New York Certificate of Authority on file to avoid paying tax on items bought strictly for resale.

Church pantry, Richmond. The nonprofit brings a state tax-exempt certificate and EIN, opens a free account, and focuses on shelf-stable items. Volunteers mind return windows and packaging rules to avoid rejected returns.

Cost Breakdown

Upfront account work. You apply online, receive a temporary number by email, then finalize in store with your documents. In some states, FEIN is required at signup, and alcohol buyers need the appropriate license. None of these steps add a fee from the warehouse, but they take time.

Transaction costs. In store you pay shelf prices and applicable sales tax unless your exemption or resale forms are accepted. If you order online for pick-up or delivery, the site explains that service is reflected in online prices, so your basket total may be higher than an in-person run.

Admin and cards. You can add subaccounts for employees under the primary account. Lost cards are reissued at the welcome desk after verification. The published materials do not post a specific fee for replacement.

Post-purchase. Returns are member-only, with perishables typically within 72 hours and non-perishables within seven days, plus special handling rules for equipment warranties. Plan your receiving and inspection workflow around these windows.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Region and hours. Hours differ by branch, and Sunday hours in some markets are shorter, which can affect your labor, fuel, and storage timing. Planning around local hours trims wasted trips.

Product mix and case sizes. Proteins and seafood drive big swings, while paper, janitorial, and dry goods are steadier. Restaurant Depot emphasizes that you do not need a minimum purchase to get its shelf pricing, which helps smaller buyers avoid buying too deep.

Documentation status. Buyers with current resale or nonprofit exemptions reduce tax leakage when rules allow. Late or missing forms shift cost back onto invoices, which can be an unpleasant surprise during tight weeks.

Market forces and waste. U.S. agencies and nonprofit analysts estimate roughly one third of the food system is lost or wasted across the chain, so storage, yield testing, and par sheets protect your margin even when wholesale prices are attractive (ReFED report).

Alternative Products or Services

Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club require paid memberships, which can make sense for some operators. Costco Business Membership lists $65 annually, with $130 for Executive, while Sam’s Club runs periodic promos tied to Club and Plus tiers. These clubs offer strong non-food add-ons and fuel, but you pay to join.

Cash-and-carry competitors. CHEF’STORE and Gordon Restaurant Market are open to the public with $0 membership cost, which can suit micro-operators and community groups. WebstaurantStore is e-commerce first and offers WebstaurantPlus shipping at $99 per month after a trial, which can be economical for heavy parcel buyers. Broadline distributors like US Foods focus on delivery routes and credit terms once accounts are approved.

Comparison table referenced above

Ways to Spend Less

Convert to case sizes where spoilage risk is low, compare unit pricing across brands, and watch the regional flyer for temporary discounts. The online flyer updates by branch and date range, which lets you time heavier pulls.

Build par sheets and purchase to par, especially on perishables. National groups emphasize that tighter inventory controls and recipe costing reduce waste and raise margin. Small operators should assign one person to reconcile orders to usage weekly.

Expert Insights and Tips

Document checklist that speeds signup and avoids tax surprises includes an EIN from the IRS, a state resale certificate if you resell goods, and any nonprofit exemption letters. Keep copies with the account profile and bring them on your first visit.

Inventory controls pay back fast. Waste studies put a large share of system losses in retail and foodservice, so build yield tests for top ten items and adjust pars every quarter. A single spreadsheet and disciplined receiving can pay for itself in the first season.

Use distributors and cash and carry together. Route high-volume, predictable items to delivery accounts, then fill gaps at Restaurant Depot to avoid minimums or lead times. This keeps your buyer time focused and reduces emergency runs.

Total Costs

The annual picture most operators see is simple. $0 membership, plus recurring shopping time, fuel, and storage, plus any shrink when you overbuy. Add fees you might avoid elsewhere, like paid club dues or subscription shipping, and measure that against your basket.

If you add employees as subaccounts, train them on return windows and photo ID at the door. That keeps you within policy and protects your eligibility.

Hidden and Unexpected Costs

Shrink and spoilage are the quiet taxes on wholesale buying. Plan cold storage before running big proteins, and confirm pack sizes to avoid returns that fall outside the 72-hour or 7-day windows.

Time costs from returns are real. Equipment with manufacturer warranties often cannot be returned to the warehouse, so you must resolve directly with the maker. Read the return note before you buy.

Financing and Payment Options

Published payment methods include cash, debit, and major credit cards, plus business checks with prior approval and identification. Returned checks incur a fee. Confirm your local branch’s specifics before large purchases.

For some operators, a rewards-earning business credit card helps offset fuel and supply costs, but weigh that against any service charges from alternative channels. Delivery programs can be valuable when labor is tight.

Opportunity Cost and ROI

A simple ROI frame helps. If you switch weekly disposables and dry goods from an online basket that relies on $99 monthly subscription shipping to in-store runs on a $0 membership and you batch trips to match your par cycle, your avoided dues plus reduced freight can outweigh extra drive time. Savings stack when you also skip paid club fees like $65 per year at a warehouse club you rarely visit (e.g., WebstaurantPlus).

Seasonal and Market-Timing Factors

Holiday periods and commodity cycles can push prices around, which is why checking the regional flyer ahead of busy weeks is smart. When you see a good buy, align storage and menu specials to move product quickly.

Operators who maintain a basic calendar for eggs, beef, and produce seasons avoid chasing prices on short notice. Tie your event calendar to your ordering schedule.

Answers to Common Questions

Is there a membership fee at Restaurant Depot?

No. Qualified businesses and nonprofits join for $0 once documents are verified.

Who qualifies for a free account?

Owners or operators of food businesses and nonprofits with proper documentation, and in some states a FEIN at signup. Alcohol buyers need state licenses.

What documents should I bring?

Bring a business license or IRS letter, and, if you resell or are tax-exempt, a valid resale or exemption certificate that your state recognizes.

Can I shop if I do not qualify?

Non-members can use Instacart for most items, which is listed as the alternative on the official site.

What payment methods are accepted?

Cash, debit, major credit cards, and approved business checks are accepted, and returned checks incur a fee.