Operations Management For Kudler Foods

Operations Management for Kudler Fine Foods

Background

Kudler Fine Foods is a local upscale specialty food store located in the San Diego metropolitan area with three locations a) La Jolla, b) Del Mar, and c) Encinitas. The stores are stocked with the best domestic and imported foodstuffs and have within each five different departments: a) bakery, b) produce, c) meat & seafood, d) condiments and packaged foods, and e) cheeses and specialty diary products. The mission for each store is stated on the company's Internet website as, "The mission is to provide our customers the finest in selected foodstuffs, wines, and related needs in an unparalleled consumer environment" (University of Phoenix, 2007, para. 1).

The newest idea from President and owner, Kathy Kudler, is to start contracting with local growers of organic produces to include the products in each store location. Each store has become successful at its current location and with its current stocks. These results have assisted Kathy in believing that the expansion of produce concept will help in providing the consumers the "choice for purchasing the finest of epicurean delights" (University of Phoenix, 2007, para. 1). For the purpose of this assignment, Kudler operations system will be analyzed to recommend possible changes to the existing business process. All the information relating to the Kudler Fine Foods shops was retrieved from the Kudler intranet and Internet via the University of Phoenix web link.