Situation A leading Retail Chain in South India in the Food & near Food categories wanted to build two Distribution Centers (DCs) at strategic locations in Bangalore & Chennai. They approached RK Foodland to provide services which would allow them to design and build these two DCs which will support their future business plans by enabling operational efficiency. Correct space planning coupled with proper storage and material handling solution was key to this assignment. The assignment included a study of business plans and SKU details, arriving at DC space requirement and phasing plan. Solutions Strategy Foodland took a systematic approach towards the project by first conducting detailed discussion to understand the retail business model. This was followed by collecting critical information on SKU profile, order profile, inventory norms, delivery model, proposed ERP system, future expansion plans etc. This critical information was then used to design DC space requirements, storage and handling systems, docking systems and material handling systems. The DC design concept was then further refined to suit site constraints at Bangalore and Chennai. Consequently, a detailed drawing, project management during actual DC construction phase, vendor development and order management followed. Final stage of the assignment included assistance in recruitment, closure of contracts, and handover protocols with regular schedule monitoring. Results
As a company’s business drivers change, business processes, SCM technology investment and the overall approach to supply chain management must change and keep pace with the current market scenarios. Nowadays, demanding consumers are causing changes in how shippers and supply chain providers work together. In the past, consumers have had very little or no influence at all on the supply chain because they were oblivious of what it was. A consumer would order an item but could have no clue where it is made or who makes it or even when to expect the delivery. However, today’s consumers are though indirectly, but actively involved in the creation of the supply chain. Order Tracking: Consumers today are actively involved in each process of the supply chain activity. With the ability to track orders, consumers expect more from their suppliers. Order tracking allows the customer to gain insight into where their order is at any given point of time. From the time an order is placed until it is delivered, the customer wants to know everything. Answering the customer requires visibility across multiple processes and systems. Companies must pay more attention to their supply chain and quickly solve any shortcomings that could possibly delay the delivery time. Whether it’s for a manufacturer or distributor, order accuracy is positively impacted by order tracking. Customers are easily able to double-check orders as they move through the fulfillment process, in many cases allowing them to catch mistakes before orders are shipped or order alternative items when a desired item is out of stock or backordered. Sustainability: Consumer demand for more sustainable business practices can have significant supply chain implications. For instance, mobile phone purchasers may typically consider four key factors into consideration when buying a new phone: the desire to upgrade, the need to stay within a budget, the durability of the product and environmental sustainability. Consumers today are willing to pay more money for a product they consider to be more sustainably efficient. Supply Chain players should therefore focus more on making their supply chain environmentally sustainable to attract these group of customers. Companies that have a pro-environmental view need to be ready to take responsibility and to move towards sustainable business practices. Consumers’ interest towards recycling and sustainable solutions has increased. They appreciate the idea of recycling waste to produce something new; circular products have become “the new normal”. Consumers are asking for more visible and concrete information about how the products that they are using has affected the environment. Increasing Customer Satisfaction: Understanding consumer trends and order histories serve as a sort of blueprint when companies need to make decisions about how to boost sales. Instead of guessing, one can make informed planning based on actual data and trends. That includes keeping accurate inventory, even during the busiest periods. Maintaining stocked shelves so as not to miss out on sales opportunities. Distributors and suppliers must innovate and optimize every step of the shipping process to meet consumer expectations. Understanding consumer trends and demands helps the networks to increase business efficiency and eliminate customer pain points by integrating new supply chain activities to ensure overall customer satisfaction. Evolving Customer Channels: The ongoing shift away from traditional retail to direct-to-consumer(DTC) shipping is rapid. 40% of brands now sell directly to the consumer. The DTC sales are projected to reach around $130 billion by 2025. Supply chain players should therefore focus on reorganization of the supply chains. They should emphasize on providing a Unified Brand Experience i.e., creating a DTC model that gives full control of the brand and develop direct engagement with customers to gain real time feedback and optimize supply chain accordingly. Selling DTC allows you to collect first-hand data and own it to focus on improving customer experience. A global sports accessories brand is focusing on its DTC channel and aims to reach $16 billion through the DTC channel by 2020 (a whopping rise of more than 140 percent from 2015). By choosing the right systems, approaches, and partners within the supply chain, companies are providing the customers with great service, transparency, and visibility they desire. Having an efficient supply chain means one can beat the competitors on price and improve profitability. Having high performing operations means one can meet or exceed the customers’ expectations on delivery of the product. The relationship between Customers and supply chain players have created a network to incorporate individual components of the supply chain into an interconnected web that enables seamless information transfer and support, thus providing opportunities to improve bottom lines and provide exceptional experiences to consumers. At Radhakrishna Foodland, we strive to provide accurate demand planning, forecasting and inventory solutions by analyzing historic demand, historic sales and trends in consumption pattern to help reduce the pressure to match stock to anticipated sales as accurately as possible and inculcate greater transparency in all supply chain operations. Our Order and process management solutions assure seamless integration of order receipts to cash receipts to consumer feedback and ensure standardization of processes across all domains. We strive to warrant safety and authenticity of data to provide real-time traceability throughout the supply chain. This helps businesses to focus more on increasing their profitability and enables them to optimize their overall customer satisfaction. Sources:
As a continuation of our earlier article, we are sharing the last five resolutions guide food brands in stringing together strategy to create the supply chain of the future. 6. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses The supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Identifying areas for improvement can be challenging, without access to precise real-time and historical data. By implementing automated, supply chain solutions, businesses can achieve granular visibility. That would mean segmenting the supply chain to extract and analyze accurate data from various segments within the supply chain like warehousing or transportation to identify its pain points that need addressing. Evaluation as a process helps to strengthen the end-to-end fulfillment strategy while saving businesses time and money. 7. Simplify the supply chain design A convoluted supply chain can mean that there are more potential for things to go wrong. Food brands with diverse suppliers and processes runs the danger of losing focus causing delays in sourcing, manufacturing, and transportation. Supply chain complexity is one of the major issues firms confront, according to Michigan State University research. Operating in various consumer markets involves numerous suppliers, which means more workflows, regulatory requirements, and vulnerable links. Supply chains can easily become entangled and convoluted, undermining efficiency. Businesses should analyze the entire supply chain to see where it may be simplified. Simplifying procedures can lead to cost savings, increased efficiency, and higher product quality. A lean supply chain is better prepared to deal with unexpected challenges. Its processes frequently improve overall performance, quality, reduces expenses, and increases responsiveness. A high-level audit of operations will reveal areas for improvement, resulting in shorter lead times and lower prices. Technology can help firms manage supply chain issues and streamline operations. Combining these factors can lead to happier consumers, which is the goal of every food brand. 8. Increase Transparency to save costs Transparency extends beyond supply chain visibility, as confirmed by a Harvard Business Review report that reveals cost reductions of up to 20%. To better understand supply chain participants and threats, organizations can now use internal and external data sources. Mobile technology can track compliance or employment data instead of on-site or third-party audits. Additionally, they can track supplies from their point of origin to the producer, and then the finished products from the manufacturer to the end consumer, assisting in the confirmation of quality and preventing fraud. While transparency can educate and engage clients it can also be used to reveal potential operational changes, promote good corporate responsibility, strengthen brands, and mitigate future events. 9. Transform digitally Supplier technology helps food brands build a future-ready supply chain while boosting accuracy, compliance, and visibility. Analytics can help organizations identify market patterns and forecast future demand. Business risks can also be addressed to ensure business continuity and provide end-to-end visibility. According to Forbes, 50% of organizations feel technology has a significant impact on supply chain, logistics, and transportation operations. Digital supply chains rely on ubiquitous data access. They can boost dependability, agility, and efficiency by facilitating cross-platform cooperation and communication. Traditional supply chains must adapt to new digital realities or risk being left behind. A digital operational model incorporates digital capabilities across governance, processes, data management, and IT that enables process integration and standardization. 10. Consider working with a specialist Before assembling a team to fill in the gaps, it is critical to understand the supply chain constraints. Consultants help negotiate the existing supply chain network’s uncertainty. They can help with supply chain technology, 3PL and 4PL outsourcing, warehouse and transportation management, network analysis, Lean distribution, and more. Food brands should consider collaborating with a supply chain specialist who can build a fit-to-purpose business strategy to reduce total value chain costs while improving the performance of the supply chain and manufacturing and distribution costs. According to a report by the UK-based market research firm Technavio, the 3PL market in India is poised to grow by US$10.74 billion in the period 2021-2025, progressing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 8%. Because supply chains are so complicated and unique to each business, consultants can assist uncover gaps between business strategy and supply chain design. A consultant can help traverse the stages and provide guidance to ensure the successful implementation of a supply chain relationship. As we transition into the new year we can together look forward to the challenges and changes the new year brings by embracing these 10 resolutions offered to help supply chains prepare for a productive and efficient year.
Situation Stores were delivered Frozen, Chilled and Dry goods in separate vehicles. This resulted in higher transportation cost, more manpower in loading/ unloading/ delivery, and inconvenience to McDonald’s stores which were receiving multiple deliveries and multiple documents. There was a need for a supply chain solutions system through which all the three types of goods i.e. Frozen / Chilled / Dry could be delivered together at a time, without compromising on the integrity of the food product. Solutions Strategy Against the conventional single temperature trucks, need of a truck carrying multiple temperature products was felt. To make it happen, the following was done: Results
Situation Assistant Sales Managers (ASM) and the Distributors placed order with the CFA as and when required. Once the order is placed, the status is available on the order w.r.t. the date and time when the delivery will reach and the fill rate / quantity received, was known only when the delivery reached the customer. This affected further commitments from Distributors to the retailers and impacted subsequent orders. Since the retail purchase of the products, is driven by impulse, absence of product in the shelf means loss of sales. They needed a system wherein the status of order with respect to delivery and SKU level quantity is tracked. Solutions Strategy The need was felt for information travel, faster than the product travel. Though the whole system worked on SAP, manual intervention was required with respect to information recorded outside SAP. Following steps were taken to keep complete visibility with Sales Team w.r.t. to the order placement to dispatch and delivery status: Results
Situation There are multiple warehouses (Distribution Centers) located in India and there exist common suppliers for each product. Also, these suppliers are located across the country. Warehouses order as per their requirement. Since the per trip loads are not enough to send a dedicated truck from supplier to each warehouse, receiving on-time deliveries and food safety of the products was a challenge. This had affected inventory holding in warehouses leading to higher inventory carrying cost, high inventory days, threat of stock-out situation and in-transit damages, safety of food items in transit and higher inbound cost. The need to transport products in a cost effective manner and ensure on-time availability without compromising on the integrity of the food products, was identified. Solutions Strategy Ensure consolidation of stock at the nearest warehouse and move full truck-loads. To make it happen following steps were taken: Results
https://youtu.be/Aport31dmlM Food Supply Chain Leadership Forum’ is an initiative by Radhakrishna Foodland aimed at creating an exclusive engagement platform for food service and food brands operating across categories and channels in the Indian food supply chain ecosystem. The theme for this event is ‘Growth Imperatives for Young Food Brands’. Join us for some interesting and enlightening discussions around:• Building and scaling a food brand – experiences from a QSR startup and a young plant-based protein brand• What are their top supply chain pain points and possible solutions?• How leading brands have organized their supply chains to accelerate growth? Igniting these conversations will be our esteemed guests:• Mr. Sachid Madan (Ex-CEO – ITC Frozen Foods) – Industry veteran and mentor to food brands across growth maturity• Mr. Rajat Bawa (Co-Founder – Burgrill) – Young start-up creating a strong presence in fast growing QSR segment• Mr. Gaurav Sharma (Co-Founder – Greenest Foods) – Building plant-based food portfolio for retail and food service• Mr. Deepak Soni (Chief Growth Officer – RK Foodland) – Enabling supply chain outcomes for food and food service brands
Many organizations begin with small-scale warehousing and transportation activities and naturally handle their own supply chain. However, there comes a time when partnering with an outsourced supply chain provider makes sense. It could be a result of increased complexity, quick expansion in revenue, planning for future growth, or the introduction of additional distribution channels. Working with a 3PL expert can increase performance and help respond to market changes. In terms of efficiency the partnership provides, the benefits include lower costs, reduced inventory, shorter lead times, and greater resource utilization Longer-term efficacy improves customer service, market share, and revenue. Capital investment is frequently considered to be a barrier in developing an internal supply chain and its infrastructure. Perhaps it is more prudent to manage a greater portion of this function as a variable cost. According to a Deloitte survey, 79% of organizations with efficient supply chains outperform their competitors. Businesses with optimal supply chains also have 3x faster cash-to-cash cycles and 15% cheaper supply chain costs while storing 50% less inventory than those with sub-optimal supply chains. Supplementing the statistics here are a few key benefits that food brands can reap by outsourcing their supply chain to experts. Defined Processes Supply chain outsourcing organizations provide a variety of solutions for food brands to efficiently service their end customer. This includes inventory management and operational optimization of the entire supply chain. Supply chain experts can manage stock, invoices, deliveries, and refunds through well-defined processes. Organizations handling supply chain outsourcing are experts at measuring performance, determining which areas to prioritize and how to implement improvements most effectively while planning to grow the business. Clear controls will increase operational efficiency and help businesses prevent unanticipated expenses. Strategic Alliances A supply chain partner’s network is a crucial resource for moving finished products. Finding the right equipment, insurance, and other credentials might be difficult. However, supply chain partners filter their network to ensure only qualified service providers are included. They can also use their relationships to achieve total cost reduction and improve service. A 3PL provider’s network of partners enables businesses to expand their geographical presence by being able to manage inventory in a potential market without having to invest in vehicles, equipment, or staff. Along with a well-outlined route to market strategy investing in the services of a supply chain provider can save both time and money. Focus on core business activities With an outsourced supply chain taking care of the end-to-end fulfillment, businesses can concentrate on their core competencies to innovate, produce new ideas, products, and business offerings. Outsourcing the SCM to a reputable partner with extensive knowledge and experience can result in significant time and resource savings. This would make food brands more productive and assist their long-term success. Consequently, processes like marketing, customer relationships, and support are enhanced. As the business scales across the country, supply chain outsourcing experts can offer insight into how to expand their fulfilment strategy and optimize inventory, whether it can be executed through the addition of new fulfilment centres, or the expansion into new markets and sales channels. Advantage of knowledge and expertise It is difficult to predict and accommodate internal expertise in all the capacities and geographies required in today’s complex market environment. A 3PL partner will have expertise and experience in a variety of areas, including transportation and its paperwork, sourcing, compliances, and economic rules, to name a few. The supply chain expertise and know-how that a partner can provide to a business wanting to grow across the country can reduce costly delays, shorten the cycle time, and smooth the introduction into a new territory. Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure A significant benefit of partnering with a firm providing supply chain outsourcing is the ability to leverage its existing infrastructure. A 3PL provider will have a broad network of interconnected routes that enables them to maximize efficiency when transporting various clients’ things around the country. Additionally, they will have access to warehouses and distribution centers in strategic locations to facilitate fulfilment and delivery. When a supply chain provider is hired, they can harness this network to determine the most cost-effective methods of transporting your products or materials around the supply chain. If any obstacles or issues develop, they already have a good grasp on alternate routes and solutions that will meet the complex needs of a food brand. Meanwhile, without pre-existing infrastructure, the in-house supply chain would have to address these difficulties on the fly. Enable futuristic technology According to the 2018 Annual Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Study, businesses desire increased analysis to enable them to make more informed supply chain decisions. A technologically driven outsourced partner delivers expanded visibility, offering users more insight into relative data that impacts their operations. Businesses are able to aggregate data and improve their organization’s decision-making process. Futuristic technology like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation play a large role in increasing the processing and output capacities of the workforce along the supply chain. Regardless of the scale or industry, integrating automation into supply chain management can be extremely advantageous for operations such as order tracking, data analysis, transportation, and warehouse management. Automation enables businesses to make more informed decisions by lowering costs and eliminating errors along the value chain. Organizations can better allocate critical products and supplies while saving money, time, and resources with a technology-enabled supply chain. With numerous benefits associated with outsourcing to a 3PL provider, including cost savings, increased flexibility, access to a robust supply chain, and ultimately more time and energy to focus on business, it is a strategic investment food brands should consider if they intend to scale their business across the country.
The demand-driven supply chain, or demand-driven supply network, is a combination of technology and processes that detect and respond to real-time demand across a network of consumers, suppliers, and employees. This has been significantly enabled by the increased use of new technologies brought about by the Internet of Things (IoT). While traditional supply chain inventories and services are provided based on forecasted demand and historical sales patterns; in a demand-driven supply chain, the companies that comprise the supply chain collaborate to shape market demand by sharing and collaborating information, thereby avoiding time lags in information flow and avoiding the bullwhip effect across the supply chain. A demand-driven supply chain is one that is focused on the demand generated by consumer data and feeds this data to the supply base, hence increasing inventory availability through a demand-pull strategy. The DDSC planning process is driven by customer needs. It implements a tactic known as ‘demand-pull.’ This helps the market to work more effectively with other supply chain players by sharing new information. Below are five key anchors to a demand-driven supply chain: Anchor 1: Evolving Consumer Demand in India Today’s customer environment is more dynamic than ever before. Technology innovations driving substantial shifts in customer behavior challenge organizations across the food service industry. The supply chain of yesterday was linear, sequential, and static. It is now dynamic, multi-directional, and evolving. To achieve their goals, supply chain leaders must make decisions quickly enough to keep up with the market. In this continuously changing market, planning teams need to refocus their efforts on the unique demands of individual customers. Food trends are influencing traditional Indian cuisines. To appeal to health-conscious consumers, food manufacturers have altered their menus to include healthful options. Some restaurants now serve nutritious meals, plant-based meat, and organic food. Internet and smartphone usage will raise the demand for specialized foods. Web-based ordering and the usage of AI and IoT in order are altering the market. These advancements have revolutionized home delivery by bringing food to the consumer’s door faster. According to Research and Markets, the Indian online food delivery industry is expected to reach US$ 21.41 billion by 2026, up from US$ 4.66 billion in 2020. This changing landscape, along with forthcoming trends and India’s growth trajectory, is propelling the foodservices business forward. This growth rate is projected to continue, driven by consumers and foodservices businesses. By being able to quickly identify shifting consumer sentiments and how demand might respond, food brands can increase profitability, lead time, and margins. So, in this continuously changing industry, professionals can refocus their efforts on the unique demands of individual customers in order to scale across the country. Anchor 2: Decision-Driven Integrated Planning To compete in a rising market and maintain business processes, companies must connect their supply chain planning in an integrated manner from start to finish. Traditionally, organizations have relied solely on past data, limiting their ability to adapt to future disturbances. Finally, food manufacturers can manage their supply chains holistically, with real-time insight across the network. Integrated planning enables a dynamic, collaborative S&OP process to sense and drive demand. By utilizing the rolling forecasts feature within the value chain, food brands can predict demand two months in advance and can accordingly prepare and plan for it. Anticipating consumer desires, when they desire it, and where they desire it can be difficult for many firms. Gaining end-to-end visibility across the supply chain enables food brands to detect customer demand signals. To aid demand planners in planning more quickly, accurately, and precisely, predictive planning based on statistical functions might be beneficial. This is accomplished by analyzing historical data and forecasting future demand, providing the planner with a variety of statistical methodologies from which to pick. Anchor 3: Supplier Relationship Management More complex supply chains necessitate precise, measurable techniques to evaluate each provider. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) helps determine how suppliers contribute to or detract from a company. SRM aims to increase efficiencies and value for all stakeholders. It identifies essential suppliers and lays the groundwork for buyer-supplier engagement. Finding suppliers who share the same goals as food brands might result in improved overall efficiency. Suppliers will better grasp business requirements with open and effective communication. This knowledge helps avoid supply chain delays and makes debugging difficulties easier. SRM aims to increase a company’s value and profitability. SRM can improve supply chain performance, reduce wholesale prices, and increase efficiencies. It can also assist reduce risk, improving administrative and onboarding efficiency. To compete in the marketplace, the entire supply chain operations process needs to focus on improvements that needs be measured by key performance indicators like SIFOT. Supplier in full and on time – SIFOT is fundamental in running a supply chain effectively. It allows food brands to gauge the performance of a supplier by understanding what percentage of their supplier deliveries are being delivered in full. Anchor 4: Enhanced Supply Chain Execution Supply chain execution is the daily implementation of the supply chain plan. It comprises managing inventory levels, taking orders, planning and executing work orders, picking and packing orders, and scheduling shipments. Execution may also include revising the strategy to address changing demand or a supply chain challenges. Efficient supply chain execution ensures order fulfilment and increases customer satisfaction. It also helps businesses gain a competitive advantage by attracting new customers and increasing revenue. Complexity increases when it comes to food brands and their challenges. A production strategy is developed in conjunction with supply chain execution but supply chain professionals must act quickly. To pull it off in a timely manner for order fulfilment, companies need to employ technology like warehouse management, transportation management, planning and forecasting, supplier management, order management, and more to help them make better decisions. Anchor 5: Supply Chain Visibility Supply and demand changes require companies to obtain visibility into this complicated network of customers, suppliers, and logistics providers. Enhanced supply chain visibility is critical in a demand-driven supply chain. Companies require visibility from the supplier dock to the customer door to know what is going on and...
One of the fastest-growing sectors in India and the world is the QSR sector. In the years 2021-2025, the Indian market for Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) is expected to develop at a CAGR of over 18%, according to a report by Research and Markets. Multiple causes, including urbanisation, food delivery service expansion, the rise of working professionals and millennials alike, and an increase in disposable income, are fuelling a boom in the fast-food industry. As a result, this is the most competitive restaurant-style due to the large a number of new entries and aspirations. The QSRs also face a variety of issues in their business. External factors like food inflation and agriculture reliance on the monsoon affect the business. Demonetisation also had a negative impact on the firm, resulting in lower revenues. The Indian market is very fragmented. Several local firms compete with larger international firms. This reduces system standardisation and increases dietary variability. So, the buyer demands more choice everywhere. The businesses sell the same cuisine at varying prices. This reduces client loyalty. Then there are internal business concerns like supply chain, logistics, and warehousing. Training of manpower is vital; it is a major concern due to the high attrition rate in this industry. Inefficient employees produce system inefficiencies. If the company is well-known, then this sector requires greater attention. The supply chain is critical to a QSR’s success. A better supply chain means more value for the company. But the QSR supply chain in India is highly fragmented which means there are many middlemen involved leading to wastage of resources. The supply chain is becoming increasingly important in today’s competitive QSR industry. To compete effectively, QSR brands try to establish formidable supply chains. Traceability Nowadays, many consumers demand traceability, wondering exactly where all products and ingredients come from. Having trustworthy data on food goods throughout the supply chain is crucial now more than ever. Every step of the food supply chain should be tracked and communicated to ensure quality, product integrity, brand integrity, and consumer loyalty. Lack of transparency and traceability in the supply chain can expose it to undue risk given the fact India witnesses nearly 5-15 % (About USD13 Bn in value) wastage in fruits and vegetables annually. It can harm a QSR brand’s reputation, resulting in lower sales and profits. It can also cause legal issues that delay product launches. Traditional monitoring mechanisms and human inspections are often to blame for food supply chain traceability. A communication breakdown occurs owing to errors and omissions. In the event of contamination, traceability may allow for targeted recalls. Transparency, traceability, and trust in the food industry have long proven difficult. The supply chain data can give producers, suppliers, distributors, retailers, and consumers with trustworthy product and ingredient origin information. Inventory visibility is improved and stock-outs are avoided, which is critical when giving limited-time promotions. Managers can take action if a QSR store uses too much of a limited ingredient. It also helps with internal shrink and inventory loss statistics. Temperature-Controlled Supply Chain Fresh, frozen food is becoming an essential menu item for many QSRs. Temperature changes can affect the shelf life, flavour, and sensory experience of refrigerated foods. With a well-constructed temperature-controlled supply chain, QSR businesses may improve their ability to maintain product quality and reduce losses. Through real-time monitoring and historical analytics of the cold supply chain, including crucial environmental factors for products, a temperature-controlled supply chain assists QSR companies in reducing spoiling costs. A well-maintained cold chain leads to enhanced product quality, safer delivery, and predictive maintenance. Having a well-designed temperature-controlled supply chain enables the QSR industry to quickly identify and address temperature and humidity issues in the cold chain—before they escalate into larger problems. By partnering with a third-party supply chain specialist who specializes in cold chain management, QSR brands can monitor and manage the cold supply chain more effectively in real-time, distribute products more safely and efficiently, improve delivery quality while decreasing costs, and increase customer satisfaction. Data-driven Forecasting With technological improvements enhancing the supply chain, QSRs can invest in solutions that bolster supply chain activities such as demand forecasting. A data-driven forecast generates demand predictions based on historical data, economic trends, and market analysis, allowing for more efficient inventory planning and the avoidance of losses. A data-driven demand estimate might mean the difference between profit and loss for a quick-service restaurant brand. Accurate forecasting that takes events, promotions, and other sales-related aspects into consideration is critical to avoiding losses, especially for QSRs that operate on razor-thin margins. With precise projections, operators at a quick-service restaurant (QSR) can generate data-driven predictive orders, which are critical for inventory management. An accurate forecasting system reduces capital retained on a restaurant shelf, improves bargaining positions with suppliers, allows for space reduction or reallocation inside a restaurant, and reduces waste. Supply chain professionals with excellent technological skills can help QSRs by predicting labour, ordering, and production needs. This estimate is based on POS transaction data and a complex algorithm that considers seasonality, events, promotions, and other factors. With new technologies, operators can adjust projections to account for both positive and negative consequences, such as increased sales activity due to neighbouring sports events, boosting forecast accuracy. Inventory Management Technological advances in inventory management systems provide better food tracking. With efficient inventory management, QSR businesses may improve food safety and reduce health hazards. Accelerate the placing of food products on shelves, ensuring that they are still fresh for customers, and optimise transit and packing methods to save money. Inventory management systems can also connect to the QSR supply chain for real-time product information. In the event of a problem, they may track specific shipments. A large amount of data is being shared, which can shed light on safety, delivery, and overstock concerns. Finding the correct inventory management technology can also assist QSR brands in more successfully balancing their supply. If they have a surplus of inventory, they run the danger of it going bad and being thrown away. However, if...