BURGER KING
equipment and logistics in order to launch successfully . Our CEOs and top executives all communicate together to make sure we are all going in the same direction .
“ Our Supplier-Led Innovation Programme ( SLIP ) involves partners coming up with their own ideas based on the gaps in our menu and the briefs we set them , who then work closely with our chefs and food scientists .”
Shortlisted entries then go on to consumer research , and once a winner is chosen it is test launched in a region before being rolled out across the wider network , with unsuccessful entries forming a promising backlog of innovation which can be tapped at a later date .
“ The suppliers are also tasked to come up with cost reduction options through various product engineering , and we adopt the same process with multiple options being tested with customers in order to make sure quality is not sacrificed ,” Dey adds .
“ We want to work with vendors who share this vision for innovation . We want to work with vendors who invest ahead of time in terms of people , processes and innovation capability so that we can achieve our goals together . Our volumes are going to increase quickly so there are some brilliant opportunities for suppliers all over the country .”
Rapid growth Burger King ’ s immediate rivals KFC and McDonald ’ s enjoy a reach of 350-400 stores across 30 or more cities , and it is these areas which Dey is targeting for quick expansion . The company is also committed to growing its presence in airports and train stations .
This presents a number of extra demands on the supply chain , but Dey has a number of initiatives in place . “ We are creating regional distribution hubs ahead of time to become cost effective as we grow ,” he says . “ This involves opening a
80 September 2016