Express deliveries, optimised routes, real-time traceability: thanks to PTV OptiFlow and PTV Axylog, FoodFlow is pushing the boundaries of food distribution for the HoReCa sector. Faster, smoother, more reliable.
Food distribution for out-of-home catering professionals (HoReCa: Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés) is both essential and highly complex. It relies on precise, responsive logistics where product freshness, delivery punctuality, and product variety are daily requirements. With strict quality standards, fluctuating volumes, and tight delivery windows, logistics performance directly impacts customer satisfaction.
According to a study by GIRA, the restaurant sector generated €114 billion in revenue in 2022 and €120 billion in 2023—a 6.8% increase in just one year. This growth highlights the urgent need for logistics solutions that can keep pace with a rapidly evolving market.
In reality, the sector still suffers from fragmented, low-tech processes. Restaurateurs often juggle multiple suppliers, inconsistent delivery schedules, and limited visibility into traceability and purchasing conditions. This creates a heavy operational burden, pulling professionals away from their core business: cooking and service. In this context, the need for centralised, transparent, and efficient logistics solutions is more pressing than ever.
Founded in January 2023 by four partners, FoodFlow is a startup on a mission to disrupt foodservice distribution. Its goal: simplify life for food professionals while offering exceptional service quality and full transparency on producers, product origins, and pricing.
This ultra-responsive model now enables 1,500 restaurant customers in the Île-de-France region to consolidate their sourcing with a single distributor—while maintaining the quality standards of specialised wholesalers.
Delivering to over 1,500 restaurants in ultra-tight time slots requires flawless organisation. FoodFlow relies on a dedicated outsourced fleet and a warehouse in Chilly-Mazarin, south of Paris, where orders are received, stored, and prepared.
But soon, the company faced the continuous growth of its delivery routes. Its initial optimisation tool began to show its limits. Processing times were too long, and operational efficiency started to suffer. Pierre Colson, CEO and co-founder of FoodFlow, explains: “We launched our business with a first optimisation tool. Faced with the surge in orders, we quickly hit a ceiling. Optimisation times of up to 20 minutes were far too long and impacted our operations. In our business, every minute counts, and we strive for constant efficiency. The computing power and optimisation times of our software have a significant impact on the cost of our logistics operations and our ability to meet delivery deadlines.”
To continue its growth and keep its speed commitments, FoodFlow urgently needed to make its logistics organisation more reliable and faster.
That’s when FoodFlow turned to PTV Logistics, a specialist in transport planning and tracking software. Since January, the startup has been using the SaaS solution PTV OptiFlow—a powerful route optimisation tool. “Thanks to PTV Logistics’ algorithmic power, FoodFlow delivers on its promises,” says Pierre Colson. The impact was immediate: FoodFlow saved 15 valuable minutes in order preparation, handled by dozens of warehouse workers. Transport planning became faster and more precise, enabling accurate vehicle loading schedules.
Another key feature: PTV OptiFlow automatically integrates “orphans”—complex delivery points that the previous tool couldn’t handle due to distance or time constraints. What used to require manual intervention is now seamlessly included in route planning.
In addition, FoodFlow equips its drivers with the mobile app PTV Axylog, also developed by PTV Logistics. The app instantly sends a digital roadmap to the driver, packed with useful delivery details.
Key benefits include:
15 minutes time savings in order preparation.
Complex deliveries now integrated automatically—no manual handling required.
Smoother, more transparent, and more reliable logistics operations.
The first site went live in January, with a full deployment completed in just 4 weeks—thanks to close collaboration between FoodFlow and PTV Logistics teams. The model was replicated in February with a second site in Lille, deployed entirely independently by FoodFlow. A smooth scale-up that showcases the ease of use and strength of the partnership.
FoodFlow is now confidently expanding nationwide, powered by the performance of PTV OptiFlow. “The tool perfectly supports the scalability of our model,” concludes Pierre Colson.
FoodFlow and PTV Logistics have formed a true winning duo. By leveraging robust, fast, and scalable software solutions like PTV OptiFlow and PTV Axylog, the startup successfully combines speed, reliability, and service quality—delivering direct value to restaurant professionals.
Tailored support, deep understanding of industry challenges, and the responsiveness of PTV Logistics' teams were key drivers in the success of this integration.
This collaboration enables FoodFlow to meet its logistics commitments while preparing for the future: expansion into new regions, increased order volumes, and maintaining high service standards. The model is in place, the technology is ready, and the vision is clear: to sustainably reinvent foodservice distribution for HoReCa sector. And this is just the beginning.
“We were looking for a powerful optimisation tool to support our growth in France. The tool’s computing capabilities and the support from the PTV Logistics team were decisive in our choice. It perfectly matches the scalability of our model.”
Plan and optimise your delivery routes with the PTV OptiFlow SaaS solution
PTV Axylog’s transport visibility platform lets you track and manage your delivery orders in real time.
