Case Study: Collaboration with "Olive & Thyme" – A Farm-to-Table Restaurant Chain
Buyer Profile
“Olive & Thyme” is a farm-to-table restaurant chain with 12 locations across California, USA. Founded in 2015, they focus on sustainable dining experiences, sourcing local ingredients and pairing them with rustic, eco-conscious tableware. Their aesthetic leans toward natural textures and earthy tones, appealing to a clientele that values both style and sustainability.
Product Purchased
600 units of cork placemats (rectangular, 45 cm x 30 cm, 4 mm thick) and 400 units of plant-based placemats (jute-hemp blend, circular, 38 cm diameter, natural beige finish).
Collaboration Details
In January 2025, we were contacted by Rachel Nguyen, the procurement coordinator for “Olive & Thyme,” via our website’s inquiry form. Rachel had been tasked with sourcing new placemats to replace their aging bamboo sets across all locations, aiming for something durable yet aligned with their eco-friendly brand identity. She mentioned they’d seen our cork and plant-based placemats featured in a sustainability blog and wanted to explore a partnership.
We responded within 24 hours, attaching a PDF catalog and offering to send samples. Rachel replied with specific requirements: the placemats needed to withstand frequent cleaning (hot water and mild detergent), resist heat from plates up to 80°C, and complement their wooden tabletops. On January 10, 2025, we shipped five samples of each product type via DHL—cork placemats in a natural finish and jute-hemp placemats with a handwoven edge—along with a lab report certifying their heat resistance and biodegradability. The shipping cost us $45, but we covered it as a goodwill gesture.
Rachel’s team tested the samples over two weeks at their flagship location in Santa Monica. She emailed us on January 25, noting that the cork placemats held up well under heavy use (no warping after hot plates or water exposure), while the jute-hemp mats added a “rustic charm” their customers loved. However, she requested two tweaks: a slightly darker stain on the cork (to match their walnut furniture) and a reinforced edge on the jute-hemp mats to prevent fraying. We adjusted our production process—using a food-safe walnut-toned stain for the cork and double-stitching the jute-hemp edges with a matching beige thread—and sent revised samples by February 3.
On February 10, Rachel confirmed approval and placed an order: 600 cork placemats and 400 jute-hemp placemats, totaling $9,800 (cork at $9/unit, jute-hemp at $11/unit, including customization). They paid a 35% deposit ($3,430) via wire transfer on February 12, with the balance due upon delivery. Production began February 15 at our facility. For the cork mats, we sourced 4 mm-thick Portuguese cork sheets, cut them to size with a laser cutter, and applied the stain in three coats, drying each layer for 12 hours. The jute-hemp mats were handwoven by our team of 10 artisans, with each mat taking about 45 minutes to complete due to the reinforced edging.
We finished production by March 5 and provided Rachel with a photo update: stacks of cork mats being packed and a close-up of the jute-hemp weave. The order shipped via sea freight from our port to Long Beach, California, on March 8, with a 20-foot container costing $2,100 (split with another client’s shipment). We handled all export paperwork, including a commercial invoice and certificate of origin, ensuring compliance with U.S. customs. The shipment arrived on March 25, and Rachel’s team inspected it at their warehouse in Los Angeles. She called us on March 27 to confirm everything met spec, noting only two cork mats had minor scratches (which we replaced free of charge with their next order).
The placemats debuted across all “Olive & Thyme” locations in April 2025. Rachel later shared that customer feedback highlighted the “natural vibe” of the jute-hemp mats, while staff appreciated the cork mats’ easy maintenance. They paid the remaining $6,370 on April 1 via wire transfer.
Outcome
“Olive & Thyme” has since requested a quote for 200 more cork placemats with a custom logo stamp for their private event spaces, signaling a growing partnership. Their success with our products also led to a mention in their spring newsletter, boosting our visibility among U.S. restaurant clients.
Other Cooperation Cases
Other Cooperation Cases
Explore more meal mat solutions
Are you ready to start your meal mat procurement journey?
Are you ready to start your meal mat procurement journey?
We will provide perfect solutions and competitive quotations based on your procurement needs, including material, quantity, logo customization, and other factors
