If you are comparing Italian wholesalers in Switzerland, you have two ways to buy: collect the goods yourself at a cash & carry, or have a supplier deliver to your kitchen. Neither wins every time. Cash & carry is great in an emergency, while delivery gives you back working hours and protects the cold chain.
This article gives you a practical comparison for anyone buying for a restaurant, pizzeria or bar in Switzerland: the differences, the strengths of both routes, the costs you cannot see on the shelf and a checklist of six questions to ask any wholesaler. In Romandy, LAPA ships by Swiss Post or Galliker.
What is the difference between a cash & carry and a wholesaler that delivers?
At a cash & carry you go in person, choose the products, load the trolley and pay at the till. A supplier that delivers takes your order online, by phone or on WhatsApp and brings the goods straight to your kitchen. These are two ways of buying, and many kitchens use both, depending on the day.
There is no single right answer: it depends on your time, your location, your type of cuisine and your volumes. For Italian products, read our guide on choosing the right Italian supplier for catering businesses.
Cash & carry or delivery supplier: what changes for a restaurant?
Here is a general, honest comparison without naming anyone: every company has its own rules. Before you decide, always check the opening hours, the conditions and the range of the supplier in front of you.
| Criterion | Cash & carry | Supplier that delivers |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Travel, choosing and loading take working hours | You order from the restaurant; delivery to the kitchen |
| Cold chain | Your responsibility from the shop to your door | Depends on the supplier; controlled with a refrigerated vehicle |
| Seeing the goods before buying | Yes, you choose every product yourself | No, you check on arrival; trust in the supplier matters |
| Times to order or buy | The shop's opening hours | Depends on the supplier; sometimes after service too |
| Minimum quantities | Usually you can buy small amounts | Depends on the supplier and its terms |
| Specialist range | Broad, but more general for niche items | Depends on the supplier; specialists go deeper |
| Advice and contact person | Usually you shop on your own | Often a contact person who knows your restaurant |
Do not look only at the shelf price. Hidden costs count too: travel time, fuel and the staff who are not in the kitchen while they are on the road. These items differ from one business to another, so work them out for your own case.
When is a cash & carry the better choice?
A cash & carry is the right choice when you need something straight away, when you want to see and handle the goods before paying, when the shop is close to your restaurant or when your purchases are small and occasional. It is convenient, quick and ties you to no delivery round.
- Same-day emergencies: if an ingredient runs out before service, you have it at once.
- Choosing in person: you judge the look, ripeness and cut of fruit, meat or fish yourself.
- Mixed, occasional purchases: a few single items to try out a new dish.
- No delivery round to fit: you go as soon as you have a free moment.
When is a supplier that delivers the better choice?
A delivery supplier is the better choice when your team's time is worth more than the journey, when you want fresh and frozen goods with a cold chain, when you order after service and when you need a specialist range, such as Italian products. Every hour in the kitchen instead of the car works for your business.
Reliability matters more than price: a supplier that lets you down on a Saturday night costs more than it saves on paper. Read our article on why reliability matters more than price, written for kitchens that are full at the weekend.
How do you choose a food wholesaler in Switzerland? The checklist
These are the questions to ask any wholesaler before you switch, and they apply to every supplier; you can ask for the answers in writing. For a wider view, read our guide to the supplier of Italian products in Switzerland and compare the answers you get.
- Delivery area and days: is your canton served, and on which days?
- Cut-off time: until when can you order for same-day delivery?
- Minimum order: can you order just a single carton?
- Cold chain and traceability: refrigerated vehicles and traceable batches?
- Fresh, frozen and dry: does everything arrive in one delivery?
- Contact person, languages and requested products: who answers, and in which language?
How does LAPA work, as an Italian wholesaler that delivers?
LAPA has been in Embrach since 2016, with a 2,000 m² warehouse, over 3,000 products and 1,200 customers served. In German-speaking Switzerland, order every day until 05:00 in the morning and the goods arrive the same day with our 7 refrigerated vans, which serve ZH, AG, BS, BL, SO, LU, ZG, SZ, SG, TG, SH, GL as well as Bern and the surrounding area.
There is no minimum order, and fresh, frozen and dry goods arrive in one delivery. On WhatsApp our AI agents answer 24/7 and you have a dedicated salesperson. We speak four languages and import from Italy the products we do not stock. For Ticino, Graubünden, Valais and delivery of Italian products to Romandy, we use Swiss Post or Galliker.
Frequently asked questions about LAPA deliveries
Does LAPA have a minimum order?
No, there is no minimum order, not even for a single carton. You order what you need, Monday to Saturday, and fresh, frozen and dry goods arrive together in one delivery.
Can I order at night, after service?
Yes: 7 in 10 orders arrive between 18:00 and 06:00. Order every day until 05:00 in the morning: in German-speaking Switzerland the goods arrive the same day with our vans. Service ends at 1 am? Order after closing and it is in your kitchen today.
Do you also deliver to Romandy and Ticino?
Yes, but not with our own vans, which run in German-speaking Switzerland. To Romandy, Ticino, Graubünden and Valais we ship with Swiss Post (PostPac Priority, up to 25 kg, next working day) or with Galliker, temperature-controlled, in 2 to 3 working days.
Can you source an Italian product that is not in your range?
Yes: tell us what you are looking for and we will look for it in Italy. We import the item and keep it in stock in Embrach for you.
Which languages can I order in?
In German, Italian, French and English. You can order at any hour from the lapa.ch online shop, with the Zero Pensieri app or on WhatsApp, where our AI agents reply. A dedicated salesperson is available too.
Order from LAPA: the Italian wholesaler that comes all the way to your kitchen
Order now from the LAPA online shop: no minimum order, not even for one carton. Order every day until 05:00 in the morning; in German-speaking Switzerland the goods arrive the same day with our vans.
Prefer to write? Message us on WhatsApp +41 76 361 70 21: our AI agents answer 24/7. Or call the same number: a person answers Monday to Friday 06:00-17:00 and Saturday 06:00-12:00.
What you will find in the LAPA range
- Fresh products — Fresh products for the kitchen, delivered with a controlled cold chain.
- Frozen products — Frozen products for everyday work, in the same delivery as the fresh ones.
- Dry goods — Dry goods for the pantry, together in a single delivery.
- Cheese and dairy — Cheese and dairy for pizzerias, bars and restaurants.
- Flours and pizza ingredients — Flours and ingredients for anyone working in a pizzeria.
- Non-food — Detergents, packaging, pizza boxes and equipment for the kitchen and takeaway.