Quality Supply Chain Co-op Inc. (QSCC), the independent purchasing cooperative for restaurants owned by The Wendy’s Company and its franchisees, recently honored Tyson Foods Poultry Division, based in Springdale, Ark., as one of its top suppliers at the 2013 Wendy’s Convention in Las Vegas.

The Golden Link Award for Supply Chain Excellence is QSCC’s highest honor for its supplier and distributor partners.  The 11 winners were chosen from more than 400 suppliers and distributors currently supporting the Wendy’s system in North America.

Tyson Foods Poultry division also won the Golden Link Award in 2008.  For more than 20 years, Tyson Foods has been the lead partner with The Wendy’s Company for many initiatives to improve quality and reduce costs.  Tyson Poultry excels in innovation, continuous improvement, and support for uninterrupted supply.

“Tyson Foods Poultry Division and the other Golden Link Award winners consistently demonstrate outstanding dedication, innovation, commitment, and service to QSCC and the Wendy’s system,” said QSCC President John Inwright.  “These partners are truly in a class above the rest, and they always look for new ways to add value for our members.” 

Following are the other recipients of the Golden Link Award for Supply Chain Excellence:

The Coca-Cola Company– Based in Atlanta, Ga., The Coca-Cola Company has been a strategic partner to the Wendy’s system for more than 20 years.  Coke provides best-in-class products, equipment and service, as well as strong support for operations, marketing, restaurant-level initiatives, and Wendy’s new long-term beverage strategy.

Darifair Foods– Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Darifair Foods has been an integral supplier partner for more than 25 years.  Darifair supplies the Wendy’s system with sour cream, coffee creamers, and compound butters.  They provide innovative products and ensure both continuous supply and consistent quality.

Highland Baking Company– Based in Northbrook, Ill., Highland Baking Company has provided artisan bakery products since early 2012.  Highland supported key limited-time offers including pretzel buns for the Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger/ Pretzel Pub Chicken sandwiches, brioche buns for the Bacon Portabella Melt, and multi-grain flatbreads.

Maines-Savage– Based in Savage, Md., this Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc. distribution center has provided outstanding service for about 10 years.  They ranked near the top in this year’s restaurant survey with some of the best metrics in the system.  They excel in collaboration, communications, innovation, and emergency preparedness.

Marzetti– Based in Columbus, Ohio, Marzetti has provided high-quality salad dressings, sandwich sauces, and drink syrups to the Wendy’s system for 25 years.  Marzetti demonstrates hard work, flexibility and passion across their company.  They provide creative products, excellent customer service, and strong partnership.

InterMetro Industries– Based in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., InterMetro Industries has provided shelving and storage solutions to the Wendy’s system since 2011.  They provided strategic vision and strong partnership for a new initiative that provides up to 30% more storage capacity, improves space efficiency, and increases flexibility for all Wendy’s restaurants.

Phillips Gourmet– Based in Kennett Square, Pa., Phillips Gourmet began supplying sautéed mushrooms in 2012 for Wendy’s Bacon Portabella Melt limited-time offer.  They set themselves apart by overcoming unique supply chain challenges to help ensure uninterrupted supply and reduce potential product obsolescence.

RS Hanline Company– Based in Shelby, Ohio, RS Hanline Company has supplied fresh produce with consistent excellence in quality and service for over 28 years.  In all these years, they never missed a delivery, shorted an order, or refused a request from the Wendy’s system.  They also provide quick response to emergency requests. 

Schneider Electric Professional Services– A French company with U.S. offices in Palatine, Ill., Schneider Electric Professional Services is a strategic partner for third-party energy contracts.  Since 2009, they have generated over $11 million in savings for more than 1,900 locations in deregulated areas of the U.S. and Canada.

Tyson Foods Poultry Division– Based in Springdale, Ark., Tyson Foods Poultry division also won the Golden Link Award in 2008.  For more than 20 years, Tyson Foods has been the lead partner for many initiatives to improve quality and reduce costs.  They excel in innovation, continuous improvement, and support for uninterrupted supply.

Willow Run Foods– Based in Kirkwood, NY, Willow Run Foods has provided excellent distribution service for 32 years.  They currently supply 477 Wendy’s restaurants, which is more than any other DC in our system.  Willow Run was among the highest-rated DCs in our satisfaction survey, and they consistently rank at the top in metrics.

Source: QSCC