Food Service Distribution

I’ve worked with CRM since 1997 at 3 different companies in executive roles. As COO at Wingstop from 2003 – 2014 our Purchasing Department used CRM as a supply chain consultant. This allowed our purchasing team to focus on sourcing new products, building strong manufacturer relationships and ensure consistent supply.

CRM’s expertise in distribution and freight management ensured our products got to our distributors at the lowest landed cost and to our restaurants at the lowest prices.Their monthly Price Verification System ensured our Order Guides listed only the products we wanted sold listed and with the correct prices.Their monthly invoice audits identified overcharges and their follow up made sure our franchisees received their credits.The best part is, they guarantee their performance!

"When we first entered into an agreement with CRM , I asked for one thing and one thing only. Please protect us! CRM has lived up to the request beyond our wildest dreams. We are alerted when prices are off, we realize our credits when due and over time you begin to see less overcharges and more accuracy toward the numbers from our Distributors. Now that’s Protection! Thank you CRM for always having our “back” . – and this is just the pricing – ask about what else CRM can give you in terms of reports and information that will help you best manage your business to its fullest potential. We reduced food cost by over ¾ point and we are not even close to being done"

Twenty years ago, as a VP of Sales for a major foodservice company I began working with CRM and Steve Salzberg servicing one of their accounts. Unlike other customer management/consultants we dealt with, Steve understands that both parties must benefit in order to build a solid business relationship.

CRM’s primary goal is to lower and manage the cost of goods for their clients, however Steve’s background includes working in foodservice distribution. That gives him insight into how to work with foodservice distributors. He listens to the distributor concerns and works with both the distributor and customer to find workable solutions.

The reason we have worked with CRM for twenty years, renewed contracts and worked on new contracts with them is because of the partnerships they build between the distributor and the customer.

I have worked in The Food Service Industry since 1979; primarily on the Manufacturer’s side, with a stint in between on The National Account Distributor side as well. Steve and Mike at CRM, from My current manufacturer’s perspective, do a terrific job of balancing the 3 legged stool of Food Service…Operator, Distributor, and Manufacturer!

When I have approached CRM with one of My products, they thoughtfully look out for their Operator and Distributor also, to ensure that it is a good fit for all parties concerned, before they make their presentation to everyone involved.

Bottom line, Steve and Mike exemplify to the ‘enth degree the Partnership that I look for when I team up with a Food Consultant…Integrity, Knowledge, Honesty, Conscientiousness, Follow Through, Results!

I worked with Steve as a colleague during the Applebee's distribution program while at IDI and as a client while at Baja Fresh. His company provides a one stop solution for restaurant chains that want to leverage his additional volume for better pricing. His company, also, provides a distributor price list audit that is conducted prior to publishing the monthly price list. This ensures no overcharges. Additionally, he manages the freight to ensure that distributors buy in the best possible brackets and combine shipments from multiple suppliers when possible. He focuses on trying to create win/win solutions for his restaurant chain clients and the distributors servicing these customers.

I have found Steve to be customer focused and very responsive. He understands that in a service industry, the customer needs are paramount.

I have known Steve since 2006, that was the first time I had the opportunity to work with him when he was representing a very large chain. At the time I owned my own food distribution company and it was the first time I had ever worked with a consultant. He was amazing to work with and he made it a great experience, he really understands distribution and what it takes for a positive partnership between both the operator and distributor to create a win-win for both. I have worked with him at the National level at one of the largest broad-line distributors and at an independent distributor. He is very knowledgeable about everything in the industry, very engaged, and extremely fair. Due to his integrity, he has forged some really expansive relationships in the industry which is a huge win for his clients.

I recently worked with both he and Mike putting together a program for one of their clients that was a very complex concept and I was really blown away at how detailed and engaged they both were. Being that I am on the Distribution side I have worked with more consultants than I could ever name, Steve and Mike are one of the best I have ever worked with.

If you are shopping for consultants, you need not look any further, trust me!