In the food service industry, what is the typical role of a supplier?

The role of a supplier in the food service industry typically involves providing essential goods that restaurants need to operate efficiently. This includes items such as ingredients, beverages, packaging, and often equipment related to food preparation and serving. By supplying these products, suppliers help ensure that restaurants have what they need to deliver quality food and service to their customers.

Option B reflects this typical expectation, as suppliers are crucial in maintaining a restaurant's inventory and ensuring that it meets health and safety standards. While suppliers may occasionally provide furniture, their primary focus is generally on food and related supplies that affect the direct operational capabilities of a restaurant.

In contrast, managing restaurant operations and marketing restaurant services are roles generally filled by restaurant management and marketing teams, respectively. Serving food directly is a function of the restaurant staff, such as servers and kitchen personnel, who interact with customers. These roles are distinct from the essential supply functions that suppliers provide, highlighting why choice B is the most accurate in describing the supplier's typical role in the food service industry.