#SupplyChainRisk #FastFoodIndustry #RiskAssessment

Originally Published on: SpendEdge |Supply Chain Risk Assessment for a Leading Fast Food Industry Player – A Case Study by SpendEdge

In today’s competitive business scenario, achieving a balance between maximizing the value obtained from the supply chain and catering to fluctuating customer needs is a challenging task. To accomplish this, companies must identify the root cause of risks, a task facilitated by a robust risk assessment process. A supply chain risk assessment process helps identify the supply chain risks and the operational vulnerabilities associated with supply chain functions.

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It also assists companies in identifying where threats exist across the supply network and implementing appropriate risk mitigation strategies to overcome them. While several institutions have developed guidelines on which organizations can base their supply chain strategies, it is essential to develop an industry-specific risk assessment template. Our experts have outlined a five-step approach to supply chain risk assessment:

Step 1: Define stakeholder concerns

Step 2: Identify the risk factors

Step 3: Devise precise risk mitigation strategies

Step 4: Partner with third-party procurement intelligence firms

Step 5: Simulate the outcomes

Fast Food Industry Trends

In today’s highly complex food and beverage market landscape, the restaurant business is evolving constantly, and that’s true for all fast-food companies as well. Due to this, we’re starting to witness a higher adoption of faster payment methods such as in-app and contactless payments, globally.

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Wonder what other trends are impacting fast food industry firms? Let’s take a look at the key fast food industry trends that our experts predict will change the fast-food industry landscape in the coming years:

• Faster payment methods
• The use of organic and healthy ingredients
• Leveraging technology to better serve customers

About the Client

The client is a Fortune 500 food and beverage company situated in the U.S. The fast-food industry player is a leading innovator in the food and beverage market and is well-known for bringing in the concept of ‘healthy fast food,’ which turned out to be a major trend among the younger global population.

Client’s Challenge

The lack of a comprehensive policy to address the needs of the players in the fast food industry is a key factor obstructing growth. Also, the shrinking global economy has led to a rise in supplier failure rates, negatively affecting the stability of the supply networks of fast-food industry clients. Such factors have necessitated the need to enhance the value of global supply networks by eliminating threats that could possibly affect the process flow.

The fast-food industry client found it difficult to cater to the growing customer expectations for sustainability and ethically sourced products, the root cause of which was traced back to their inefficient supply chain strategies. The fast food industry client approached SpendEdge to help them devise a risk assessment template to gauge the various risk factors affecting their supply network.

Engagement Overview

The fast food industry player wanted to identify and classify the supply chain risks to reduce the rate of supplier failures. Our expertise in supply chain risk assessment aided the client to overcome this challenge with the help of a supply chain risk assessment template, which began with the process of risk identification.

The identification of supply chain risks helped in recognizing acceptable levels of compliance, developing strategies to mitigate high-risk scenarios, and aided in the real-time monitoring of supplier risks.

Key Findings

The solutions offered by our risk assessment experts suggested that the development of a centralized supply chain risk management system would help them track and monitor supplier compliance. The implementation of specific supply chain risk assessment steps also empowered the fast food industry player to be more confident in their data, thereby enabling quick risk identification and implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

Moreover, the use of the risk assessment template not only reduced the associated losses but also enhanced the resilience of their global supply network.

What supply chain risks are involved in the food industry

• Supply Disruption: Disruptions in the supply of raw materials, ingredients, or packaging materials can lead to production delays or even halt production altogether. This can be caused by factors such as natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, transportation issues, and labor strikes.

• Quality and Safety Concerns: Contaminations, adulterations, and quality issues can arise at any stage of the supply chain, from production to distribution. Foodborne illnesses, product recalls, and quality-related incidents can harm consumers and erode trust in a brand.

• Regulatory Compliance: The food industry is highly regulated to ensure consumer safety and product quality. Non-compliance with regulations can lead to fines, product recalls, and damage to a company’s reputation. Keeping up with evolving regulations across various regions can be challenging.

Effective solutions for the risks

• Supply Chain Visibility: Implement technologies like real-time tracking and monitoring to gain visibility into your supply chain. This can help identify potential disruptions early and allow for timely adjustments. Identify alternative suppliers for critical raw materials, ingredients, and packaging materials. Having multiple sources can help mitigate the impact of supply disruptions from a single supplier.

• Quality Control: Implement robust quality control measures at every stage of production, from sourcing ingredients to final packaging. Regularly test and inspect products to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Conduct regular audits of suppliers’ facilities to ensure they adhere to food safety and quality standards. Establish clear criteria for evaluating suppliers’ capabilities.

• Regulatory Compliance: Keep up-to-date with relevant food safety regulations and standards in your region as well as in your target markets. Regulatory requirements can change, and non-compliance can result in severe consequences. Establish a dedicated team responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. This team can help interpret complex regulations and implement necessary changes.

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