NoHo Hospitality lowered procurement costs, simplified vendor management, & strengthened brand consistency

The Opportunity

NoHo Hospitality Group, a leading New York-based restaurant and hospitality company, faced growing challenges in managing its branded merchandise. With multiple vendor relationships, rising costs, and inconsistencies in brand representation, the company needed a streamlined solution.  

The restaurant giant initially approached Stitchi with a straightforward request: sports-themed jerseys for its casual restaurant, The Brakeman. In Detroit, sports culture is more than just games— it’s part of the city’s DNA.  

These jerseys—worn by employees during football and hockey season—became an instant success. They created an immersive game-day experience, giving The Brakeman an edge over competitors.

Customers loved the jerseys so much that they even asked if the restaurant would sell them.  

We’ve done branded merch before, but nothing like this. The jerseys weren’t just uniforms—they became conversation starters. Getting them delivered a week before the big Thanksgiving game allowed us to create an immersive holiday experience during one of the busiest times of the year. 

Guests asked about them, staff felt a sense of camaraderie, and suddenly, we had a whole new way to engage our customers.

This success marked the beginning of a deeper partnership, with Stitchi becoming a trusted extension of NoHo Hospitality Group’s team.

The Challenge  

As a powerhouse in the hospitality scene, NoHo Hospitality Group was no stranger to branded merchandise. However, keeping a complex web of vendors organized and cost-effective proved difficult.

• Rising Costs: Year-over-year increase in merchandise expenses strained budgets.

• Vendor Overload: Seven different vendors for packaging, coasters, uniforms, and more complicated invoicing and logistics.

• Brand Consistency Issues: Previous vendors failed to match the exact colors consistent with NoHo’s established visual identity. This led to noticeable inconsistencies in branding, where attention to detail is essential for maintaining a premium guest experience.

The Solution

Stitchi provided NoHo Hospitality Group with a complimentary vendor audit. Karen Nunez, the Head of Procurement, was curious about their options for cutting costs on disposable merchandise, particularly on items purchased in bulk like wristbands, coasters, and food packaging. 

• Lowered Procurement Costs: NoHo’s previous vendor charged $0.90 per wristband for 20,000 units per order, significantly impacting their budget. Stitchi secured a new vendor contract at $0.09 per unit, reducing costs by 90%.

  The new wristbands offer crisper detail and enhanced craftsmanship compared to those from the previous supplier, demonstrating Stitchi’s commitment to sourcing high-quality products at a fraction of the cost.

• Simplified Vendor Management: Stitchi leveraged its robust network of global suppliers, allowing NoHo Hospitality Group to consolidate its purchasing process and eliminate the hassle of managing more than one merchant. Now, multiple item types can be purchased, tracked, and reordered seamlessly—all under one roof.

• Strengthened Brand Consistency: Working with seven different vendors made it challenging to ensure brand consistency.

  Stitchi connected NoHo Hospitality Group with a vetted network of suppliers whose capabilities range from simple items like pens and matchbooks to those with more complex specifications like coasters and food packaging.

By working exclusively with Stitchi, a cohesive brand experience was achieved across all products.  

Conclusion

Through strategic vendor consolidation, cost-effective sourcing, and a commitment to brand consistency, Stitchi transformed NoHo Hospitality Group’s approach to branded merchandise. 

What began as a simple request for sports jerseys evolved into a full-scale partnership—one that not only enhanced customer engagement but also streamlined procurement and strengthened brand identity.  

This collaboration demonstrates how the right merchandising strategy can drive both operational efficiency and customer connection—proving that branded merchandise, when done right, is more than just a product; it’s an experience.