CASE STUDY 4

Solving Custom-Cut Vegetable Requirements and Introducing Frozen Jackfruit to Biryani Giants

Client Overview

Two clients, both operating in the restaurant sector, approached a business consulting company with unique supply chain needs. The first client was a multi-city restaurant chain requiring fresh vegetables cut to very specific parameters across multiple locations. The second client was a large biryani chain, looking to introduce a unique ingredient—frozen jackfruit—as a meat alternative for some of their new dishes. Both clients had high demands for quality, consistency, and scalability.

BlitzGro, a renowned business consulting firm specializing in food and hospitality solutions, was tasked with solving these complex supply chain issues.

Challenges

  1. Custom Cut Vegetables for Multi-City Restaurant Chain:
    • Inconsistent Supply Quality: The first client faced challenges ensuring that vegetables cut to precise specifications (such as julienne, diced, and spiralized cuts) were consistent in quality across multiple locations.
    • Supplier Communication: Existing suppliers often struggled to meet the exact cutting standards, leading to frequent discrepancies in size, shape, and freshness.
    • Logistics and Scalability: With the restaurant chain expanding rapidly, their supply chain had trouble scaling without sacrificing the quality of vegetable cuts or experiencing delays.
  2. Introduction of Frozen Jackfruit to Biryani Giants:
    • Unfamiliar Ingredient: The second client, a leading biryani chain, wanted to introduce frozen jackfruit as a meat alternative but had limited experience with sourcing, handling, and integrating this ingredient into their supply chain.
    • Supplier Identification: Finding reliable suppliers who could provide high-quality frozen jackfruit on a consistent basis was challenging.
    • Recipe Development and Integration: The biryani chain needed support in incorporating this new ingredient into their existing menu while maintaining the traditional taste and texture of their biryani.

Objectives

  • Establish a consistent, scalable supply chain for cut vegetables across multiple locations, ensuring exact adherence to cutting specifications.
  • Introduce frozen jackfruit to the biryani chain in a way that could be seamlessly integrated into their supply chain and menu, appealing to a growing demand for plant-based options.
  • Minimize wastage, ensure timely delivery, and maintain cost efficiency for both clients.

Solution: Consulting Engagement

BlitzGro approached the supply chain challenges of both clients with a mix of strategic planning, process optimization, and vendor relationship management.

Step 1: Solving Custom Cut Vegetable Requirements

  • Vendor Network Expansion and Standardization:
    BlitzGro worked to expand the client’s vendor network, identifying suppliers who specialized in pre-cut vegetables and had the capacity to meet the exacting standards required. We established rigorous protocols for vegetable cuts and implemented a standardized specification sheet for each type of vegetable.
  • Supplier Training:
    BlitzGro facilitated detailed training for suppliers, ensuring they understood the precise cutting specifications required. These training sessions emphasized the importance of consistency across all locations, regardless of the vendor’s location or production capacity.
  • Centralized Quality Control System:
    To ensure quality, BlitzGro introduced a centralized quality control system. This included random inspections at supplier sites, as well as feedback loops where restaurant managers could report discrepancies in real-time. Suppliers were held accountable for meeting quality standards, with penalties in place for repeated inconsistencies.
  • Logistics Optimization:
    BlitzGro partnered with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) that specialized in fresh produce to ensure timely deliveries across all restaurant locations. This provider offered just-in-time delivery, reducing wastage and ensuring that restaurants received fresh-cut vegetables daily without the need for excessive storage.

Step 2: Introducing Frozen Jackfruit to Biryani Giants

  • Supplier Sourcing and Vetting:
    BlitzGro conducted extensive research to identify and vet suppliers who could provide high-quality frozen jackfruit. This included assessing their capacity to meet the biryani chain’s volume requirements and their ability to deliver consistently across multiple locations.
  • Supply Chain Integration:
    BlitzGro worked closely with the biryani chain’s supply chain managers to integrate frozen jackfruit into their existing processes. This involved coordinating with suppliers to ensure the jackfruit was frozen at the peak of freshness and delivered with proper cold chain management to retain its texture and flavor.
  • Menu Development and Testing:
    BlitzGro collaborated with the client’s culinary team to develop recipes that incorporated frozen jackfruit without compromising the authenticity of their biryani. After several rounds of testing, a biryani dish featuring jackfruit as a meat alternative was successfully launched as a limited-time offering.
  • Educating Staff and Consumers:
    BlitzGro supported the client in training kitchen staff on the proper handling, storage, and preparation of frozen jackfruit. Additionally, marketing efforts were designed to educate consumers about the benefits of jackfruit as a healthy, plant-based alternative.

Results

  1. Success with Custom Cut Vegetables:
    • Consistency and Quality:
      The introduction of new suppliers and quality control systems resulted in significant improvements in the consistency of vegetable cuts across all locations. Restaurant managers reported a 90% reduction in rejected deliveries due to improper cutting.
    • Improved Efficiency and Scalability:
      The client was able to scale their operations seamlessly as they opened new locations. With a reliable supply chain in place, they experienced fewer delays and disruptions, resulting in smoother kitchen operations and higher customer satisfaction.
  2. Successful Introduction of Frozen Jackfruit:
    • Seamless Supply Chain Integration:
      The biryani chain successfully integrated frozen jackfruit into their supply chain without any significant disruptions. Suppliers were able to meet the chain’s demand, and the frozen jackfruit maintained its quality through proper cold chain management.
    • New Menu Success:
      The jackfruit biryani was met with positive consumer feedback, particularly from vegetarian and health-conscious diners. The limited-time offering was so successful that the client decided to make it a permanent addition to their menu.
    • Enhanced Market Position:
      By introducing an innovative, plant-based option, the biryani chain was able to differentiate itself from competitors and tap into the growing market for meat alternatives.