Food Service Management: Supply Chain Approaches and Procurement Strategies

This document provides an overview of food service management, including the examination of food supply chain approaches and key stakeholders. It discusses the principles of effective procurement and sourcing processes in the food service industry. The document also assesses the application of various analytical tools for supporting effective management strategies. The case study of Darden restaurant is used as an example throughout the document.

Food Service
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Examination of wide range of food supply chain approaches in food service industry
addition to key stakeholders involved in the process..................................................................1
P2. Discussion of principles related to effective procurement together with sourcing processes
for food service operation...........................................................................................................3
M1. Analysing distinct food supply chain approaches as well as procurement strategies which
can improve effectiveness of company.......................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P3. Assessment of application of various analytical tools for supporting effective management
strategies......................................................................................................................................5
P4. Evaluation of certain management practices which support successful operations of food
service company..........................................................................................................................7
M2. Critical evaluation of tools addition to practices which have high chances to support
successful operations concerned with food service organisations..............................................8
D1. Providing valid with justified recommendations for support management practices along
with strategies which increase effective business operations.....................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5. Discussion of ethical practices and their impacts on overall success of organisation..........8
M3. Analysing some of the ethical practices in particular food service business along with its
impact on business success.........................................................................................................8
D2. Critical analysis of ethical practices in particular food service business & on success.......9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Food service is part of the hospitality industry that consist of organisation & institutions that are
responsible for preparation and delivery of food to the target segment of customers. The process
of food service management is the central of operations in different food services catering
business (Lee, 2016). The report is covering the overview of food service contexts, different food
chain approaches & stakeholders and parts of food service process. Present report is based on
Darden restaurant that is American multi brand restaurant and its headquarters are present in
Orlando. According to data of 2018 it is only one of the fortune 500 company whose
headquarters are present in Greater Orlando. There is further discussion of the principles that are
related to effective procurement and the process of sourcing. It further assist in evaluation of
different operations management strategies and exploring of the importance of strategies that are
part of ethical management to ensure higher success of business.
TASK 1
P1. Examination of wide range of food supply chain approaches in food service industry addition
to key stakeholders involved in the process
Food services is regarded as a business practise that are related to serving of different
types of meals according to specific customer needs. The main goal of every food chain outlet is
to supply the meals according to the expectations of their customers and quality standards that
are set by the organisation as a whole (Seo, 2016). In Darden restaurants there is a chain of six
casual dining restaurant chains and further 1500 locations where they are having present are
coming together to cater to the requirements of their target market. The overview of the different
types of context of food services according to Darden restaurant is mention below:
Casual dinning: It is a full service type of restaurant that is providing a overview of laid
atmosphere, comfortable and fun type of ambience to the customers. In this there is both type of
scenario that is fast food dining and the fine dinning (BC Cook Articulation Committee, 2016).
In Darden restaurant it is a type of fine dinning that is off erring services according to their target
market that is fine spacious environment with a decent menu of products.
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Themed food services: It is type of food service where there is a particular theme that has been
select by the organization and al the further amenities are based on the selected theme of the
restaurant.
Pop up services: It is a type of context where it can range from a beer garden type restaurant or
may be a unconventional place that is open for only a small time period. It depends on the use of
latest technology such as social media coverage is provided or there is use of live music to
entertain guest and have some difference as compared to regular food services outlets (Guchait,
Neal, and Simons, 2016).
Range of food supply chain approaches
Food supply chain approaches are used to define as the process that are adopted for the
purpose of delivering the food according to specific customer requirements. So, there are some
of the approaches that are part of the food supply chain that can be used by Darden restaurant on
order to focus on the management of their food supply chan process:
Direct supply chain: It is a type of supply chain where a business is collecting the
required materials directly from the farmers. In Darden restaurant the managers are focussing on
use of a approach and then devising a position that can result into consideration of food supply to
deliver higher quality food at affordable prices to their final customers.
Outsourced supply chain: It is a supply chain approach where there is interrelation of
activities among companies so that there can be generation of higher value for the customers.
Organisation is focussing on use of a approach to deliver the commodities that is adding value to
their offerings and them meeting customer requirements. This approach can further assist
Darden restaurant to ensure that higher values are offered to customer range that can lead
towards generation of better revenues.
Key stakeholders in process of food supply chain
stakeholder are regraded as individuals who posses power and interest in the organisation
and it is impacting the working of their business. Food supply chain is a process that is
elaborating the ways in which the food actually ends at the table of final customers. It stars when
farmers are actually involved in growing of the raw materials till all the preparation is done by
the staff of restaurant. For the purpose of making a detailed evaluation of the food supply chain
process of Darden restaurant there is discussion of the different key stakeholder who are
involved in the whole process as mentioned below:
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 Farmer: these are the food producers who are producing food for a organisation
according to its orders. The main role played by stakeholders in Darden restaurant is
coordinating with the wholesale according to the future prospects of demand in different
organisations. For this purpose there have to be schedules that are devised so that there is
no mismatch between the demand and supply for farmers (Cho and Bae, 2016).
 Distributor: These are the key stakeholders who are plating a key task in distribution of
products according to specified time period. The key role played in Darden restaurant is
by distributors to ensure that all the ingredients are available at the required point of time
to avoid any type of delays.
 Consumer: These are the final consumers who are actually consuming the final product
by paying of identified monetary value. In Darden restaurant the consumer are offered
with large number if choices so that they can make their selection according to such
availability of options.
P2. Discussion of principles related to effective procurement together with sourcing processes
for food service operation
Procurement is a process where goods are purchase and are in reference to business spending.
Business procurement requires preparation, solicitation and processing of payment.
Procurement manage is a strategic approach that is related to management of organisational
spending. It consist of acquisition of products and services from preferred vendors in the
stipulated budget. This process includes some of the types such as sourcing, requisitioning,
expediting, reconciliation and inspection (Osaili, Al-Nabulsi and Krasneh, 2018).
Procurement procedure in Darden restaurant is based on adoption of certain principles as
mentioned below:
Fair dealing: It is a principle that is based on procurement of products that is very crucial to
ensure that all the suppliers are read in a fair manner without any type of discrimination. In
Darden restaurant operations managers are no imposing any type of burden or restrictions on the
suppliers that can lead to formation of any type of unfair deals. The main objectives to protect
the commercial confidentiality of the organisation that is part of procuring the materials.
Value for money:
It is a principle that is based on ensuring high value for money. The procurement process has to
be varied on by a entity to achieve higher situation of sustainability, and maintaining of cost with
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It is based on the principle of money for value.
Sourcing
It is a concept that is used for the purpose of locating different sources or food products so that
customer needs can be met. It emphasis towards focussing on least expenses on best suppliers for
the merchandise. In case of sourcing for Darden cafe there is focus on four different stages that
are specification, market assessment, negotiation and contract. Some of the principles of
sourcing process in regards with Darden restaurant are mentioned below:
Principle of alignment:
It is a principle that is based on enhancing the importance for business managers to ensur that
different sourcing stages are properly aligned with the company and requirement of all their
stakeholders. It is about developing a detailed overview of the factors such as cost, quality,
objectives while there is sourcing of the commodities, managers of Darden restaurant are
focusing on alignment of practises with the suppliers and markets so that all the dealing can be
made successful (He and Hu, , 2018).
Principle of after sales services along with warrantee:
According to (Lee, Lee and Jeon, , 2017) this principle there is after sales services that are
focussed for improvement of long term image of brand. In this warrantee are the common type of
signal that are to be delivered according to high quality of services and products that are to be
offered to customers to ensure high quality of products. In case of operations in Darden
restaurant
Principle of alignment:
In this the principle it is crucial for managers to ensure that all the activities and sourcing that are
to be aligned together according to requirements of stakeholder and comapmy. It is requirement
to ensure that all the drivers such as quality, cost, objectives are to be consider properly. In
Darden restaurant there is following of all the principles so that there is alignment of practises
with the suppliers and markets to ensure that there is achievement of success.
Principle of after sales services along with warrantee:
according to this principle there have to be effective after sales services in order to enhance the
process of brand loylatry along with the improvement of brand image. Warnatees is a common
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type of signal that is delivered by higher quality so that reduction of information gaps between
the quality of sourced product and consumers. In Darden restaurant there is consideration of
principles so that proper guidance is provided on making the customers happy and satisfied.
M1. Analysing distinct food supply chain approaches as well as procurement strategies which
can improve effectiveness of company
There are different food supply approaches that are to be used for ensuring proper
movement of food from producers to consumers through different stages of procurement process
and sourcing of raw materials. In Darden restaurant there is requirement that there is timely
adoption of supply chain approach so that there can be improvement in the overall effectiveness
of operations in order to meet the customer acquirements. Different types of strategies that are
part of darden restaurant includes following up of strategic partnerships and leveraging the use of
technology to enhance effectiveness of operations at workplace.
TASK 2
P3. Assessment of application of various analytical tools for supporting effective management
strategies
There are different types of analytical tools that are to be applied with a objective of
supporting management strategies. For this there are some of the tools that are used by
administrators of Darden restaurant that are mentioned below:
Porters 4 Corner Analysis
It is a analytical tool that is well designed to assist the future organisations strategies to asses the
rivalries according to laid objectives and intent. The elements of analytical tools according to
Darden restaurant are mentioned below:
Motivation: It is a element that si discussed according to actions and tasks that are driving the
competitor behaviour in a particular sector, there are certain key drivers of Darden restaurant
that includes capabilities, resources, management team so that there can be support to
management to devise appropriate strategies.
Existing strategy: it is a element that is used for identification of the strengths and weaknesses of
a organisation that si influencing to attain a specific position in the industry, in Darden restaurant
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there is focus of the management to ensure that all the products are timely delivered so that there
can reduction in the waiting time of customers.
Capabilities: This is a element that is related to the strategies and weakness of a organisation that
is posing a influence on achievement of a stronger position in the industry (Yu, Sirsat. and
Neal, 2019). In Darden restaurant there is higher capabilities of the management where they
have to execute the strategies in a effective manner. In this there is focus on adoption of stronger
financial support, quick response to changes in external environment and creation of healthy
relationships with all the suppliers.
Management assumptions: It is defined as the assumptions and perceptions that are devise by
the management of the organisation. It is covering all the perceptions of the organisation that si
affecting the way future decision are to be formed. It is assisting Darden restaurant to deals with
the external changes quickly and respond them by adoption of suitable working practises.
SWOT Analysis
It is a widely used framework for the purpose of internal analysis of a organisation. SWOT
analysis of darden restaurant is mentioned below:
Strengths Weaknesses
 In darden restaurant there is expertise at
entering new markets and achievement
of higher revenue.
 There is stronger cash flows as there is
skilled workforce that is build up with
successful learning and training
programs.
 There is build up of successful track
record of integration of company with
proper merger and acquisition
techniques.
 The structure of organisation is only
compatible with the present business
model that may lead to limiting of
expansion in different product
segments.
 There is limited success outside the
core business that is leading to higher
challenges to move across different
product segments with the present
culture.
Opportunities Threats
 There can be new development of  There is high competition that includes
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trends for consumer behaviour in form
of diversification of new product so
that there can be new product
development.
 The core competence of organisation
can be used for the purpose of
approaching new market segments so
that there can be use of new technology
for implementation of new strategies.
from different food services brands
such as hard rock cafe, rainforest cafe
etc.
 There is increasing trend towards
isolation of American economy that is
affecting the future international growth
of business organisations.
 There are different types of liability
laws that is leading to high regulations.
 The present COVID outbreak has
resulted into lower preferences of
people towards eating outside. Also
there is no proper measures that are
taken for dealing with the reduction in
purchasing power because of reduced
personal disposable income of people.
P4. Evaluation of certain management practices which support successful operations of food
service company
All organisations have required individuals inform of human resources that are used for
the purpose of managing different organisational functions. Different Management practises are
to be undertaken by the administrators and managers for acquisition, development, motivation
and further used for supporting of the manpower in order to meet all the roles & responsibility
that are mentioned at the workplace. For supporting the success of operations some of the
management practises that are part of darden restaurant are mentioned below:
Improving staff level:
staffing cost is associated with one of the major cost that are part of every organisation. In
Darden restaurant, there has to be hiring of employees according to the way it can assist towards
hiring of right employee at right job position.
Rota management:
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It is a practise that is used for determination of schedule according to which employees have to
work. In Darden restaurant there are employees who are working both for full time and part time
so all their assigned roles have to be managed so that there has to be avoiding of all the conflicts
and proper functioning of the outlet.
M2. Critical evaluation of tools addition to practices which have high chances to support
successful operations concerned with food service organisations
It can be evaluated that there are some of the practises and tools that can be used by organisation
for supporting the operations. In Darden restaurant there is application of tools such as SWOT
porters 4 corners so that it can support the operational success of the outlet. Porters four corner
analysis is acting as a guiding tool to explore the information and further devise decision to
improve the existing conditions.
D1. Providing valid with justified recommendations for support management practices along
with strategies which increase effective business operations
The management practises that are recommend for the managers of Darden restuirtant is to use a
technique of time table to properly utilise the available time. It will also lead to creation of higher
effectiveness for all the employees at the workplace.
TASK 3
P5. Discussion of ethical practices and their impacts on overall success of organisation
Ethics are the values and beliefs that are used for establishment of interaction both externally and
internally in the organisation. In Darden restaurant some of the ethical practises are mentioned
below:
Corporate social responsibility: It is a organisation practise that is defining the overall efforts
that are made by the management for the purpose of improving the brand image of the society. In
Darden restaurant there is adoption of specific mechanism for assessment of impact of business
functions on society. All the social responsibilities and obligations are timely met.
Fair trade: It is a activity that is used for ensuring that there are far practise in the society to
promote suitability ad attainment of suitable trading situations. In Darden cafe there is adoption
of fair practises by fostering of lone term trading partnerships and use of quality ingredients to
deliver high standard of products to customers.
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M3. Analysing some of the ethical practices in particular food service business along with its
impact on business success
Ethical practises are the activities that are effecting whole business & success in the dynamic
environment. In Darden restaurant it can be analysed that managers must focus on
implementation of ethical practises such as CSR and fair trading to ensure its smooth
functioning.
D2. Critical analysis of ethical practices in particular food service business & on success
It can be critically analysed that ethical practises in food service industry are leading towards
long term success or failure. In Darden cafe the use of ethical practises there is use of corporate
social responsibility that are to be adhered for higher employee motivation and efficiency in food
services to sustain their market position.
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CONCLUSION
It can be summarized that management of food services is concern with day to day
functioning of business operations in the food service industry. The major tasks that are part of
the food service industry. There are different types of services such as casual dining, themes
based services. There are some key stakeholder that are part of food supply chain that includes
distributors, farmers and consumers who are affecting the internal and external functioning of the
every organisation.
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REFERENCES
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