HAVI, Downers Grove, Ill., joined forces with International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), Chicago; Kinetic12, a Chicago-based food industry management consulting firm; and research company Datassential, Chicago, to support the development of what is dubbed as the first-ever best practices for foodservice supply chain optimization.

The development board consists of 15 foodservice chain operators, including Arby’s, Brinker International, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Firehouse Subs, FOCUS Brands, Hooters, Potbelly, Sonic, Starbucks, Subway, Topper’s Pizza, Tropical Smoothie, Wendy’s and Zaxby’s. These operators will work with foodservice manufacturers and distributors to tackle challenges impacting foodservice supply chains.

“This initiative is designed to affect change and bring about solutions for the supply chain issues we all face,” says Rich Kamph, senior vice president of global supply chain at FOCUS Brands, the Atlanta-based owner of Schlotzsky's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli and Auntie Anne's.

“The foodservice industry has a distinct advantage because all areas of the supply chain will truly collaborate and build best practices,” adds Larry Oberkfell, president and CEO of IFMA. “The goal of this initiative is to create best practices that drive sales by ensuring product in the right place, at the right time, in the right quantity.”

This industry-wide supply chain initiative is supported by all major foodservice industry associations, including IFMA; International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA), McLean, Va.; National Restaurant Association (NRA), Washington, D.C.; National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR), Washington, D.C.; Foodservice Sales & Marketing Association (FSMA), Lutherville, Md.; and GS1 US, Lawrenceville, N.J.