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Operations Management at Kudler Fine Foods

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Kudler Fine Foods is a profitable upscale specialty and gourmet food store with three locations in La Jolla, Del Mar and Encinitas, California. Kudler’s mission is to provide customers with the finest in selected foodstuffs, wines, and related needs in an unparalleled consumer environment (Apollo Group, Inc., 2006). Customers visiting Kudler stores demand specialty and fresh organic foods. To keep customers satisfied, Kudler must offer excellent quality products and ensure product availability.
The company, founded by owner Kathy Kudler, realizes the need to offer an increased organic product line because consumers are demanding organic products. According to the Associated Press, “Growth in sales of organic foods has been 15% to 21% each …show more content…

157). A diagram showing all the operational elements and how they fit together will assist Kudler management to review the existing internal and external operational processes and make the necessary changes needed to adapt to the new processes.
The advertising process may affect customer demand of organic products. Advertising is currently performed by Kathy Kudler. The company will want to change the advertising process to enhance their advertising campaign by promoting to customers the new expanded line of organic products provided by locally grown farmers. With advertising, Kudler’s demand pattern could change as customers will now expect to have locally grown organic products and the company must have processes in place and be ready to satisfy customer demand.
Kudler has a multi-stage process where multiple groups of activities are linked through flows. Kudler uses a make-to-stock process where standard products are available in inventory incurring costs until they are sold. Additionally, the company uses a make-to-order process for prepared gourmet foods and special orders. For its produce, Kudler informs its customers, “If you don’t see it, let us know and we will special order the item for you!” (Apollo Group, Inc. 2006). Changing suppliers has some opportunities for Kudler. Customers may be

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