Landing a restaurant group, retail chain, or franchise operator as a client is a win — until you realize that their eight locations are each placing separate orders, with different contacts, different delivery addresses, and a corporate office that wants one monthly statement.
Parent-Child Account Structure
The solution is a parent-child account architecture. The parent account represents the corporate entity — it holds the master credit relationship and receives consolidated billing. Each child account represents a physical location with its own delivery address, order history, and potentially its own product catalog or pricing. Separate ordering credentials for each location; the location manager logs in and sees only their location's catalog and history.
Billing Consolidation Options
Three models work: Fully consolidated (all child invoices roll up to one monthly parent invoice — lowest friction for the client, highest complexity for your AR team if disputes arise). Per-location invoicing with consolidated statement (each location receives its own invoice; corporate gets a summary — most flexible option). Hybrid (some locations invoice directly, some roll to the parent — matches how many operator groups actually run their businesses).
When One Location Goes to Prepay
Move the problem location to prepay at the child level without affecting the parent relationship or other children's terms. Communicate this to the parent account contact (the owner or CFO), not just the location manager. Frame it as protecting the overall relationship. If the parent refuses to allow prepay on one child and guarantees payment, document it in writing and hold the parent to it.