Everyone Succeeds Together with Steve Crouch of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Grounded Podcast - Episode # 004
Welcome to the second episode of Grounded! Join us as we hear from top-tier producers in the food service industry to hear their perspectives from all links throughout the supply chain. Each guest will discuss their brand development, company culture, global supply chain strategy, culinary innovation, and leadership. Please welcome our guest, Stephen Crouch, Senior Vice President of Purchasing at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. Stephen has spent 18 years in a wide variety of purchasing positions so he is very familiar with the produce industry. He joins host Lauren Mitchell to talk about the remarkable measures his company undertook in response to the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Takeaways:
- Stephen is very involved with his company Firebirds. Stephen oversees every aspect of the procurement and utilization process, be it products, ingredients, or services. Not only does he find himself working by himself on these tasks but, his teammates actively contribute and work synergistically as a cohesive unit.
- Working in food service, Stephen has recognized the importance of maintaining both speed and quality to uphold Firebirds' unwavering commitment to delivering an excellent experience for their guests.
- To serve their restaurants better, Stephen and his company closely examine each piece of consumable item. Their objective is to establish these protocols and effectively communicate them to their suppliers, instilling meticulous examination and attention to detail. His company aspires to inspire its suppliers to adopt these standards, ensuring that each product consistently has full flavor and is delightful for every guest.
- Stephen believes that over time, sharing in the supply chain has improved tremendously. Recognizing the value of this progress, he advocates for the ongoing enhancement of collaboration. Stephen suggests continuously learning about the process. It is important to understand products through detailed research on the resources associated with the products.
- Through years of experience, Stephen has come to appreciate collaborating with people who share a common dedication to delivering the finest quality products. Understanding and upholding the culinary foundations ensures that every creation maintains its standard and delivers a positive experience to the customers.
- Even though Firebird’s menu doesn’t change around a lot, when they do make changes to their menu, Stephen recognizes the value in seeking input from their customers for updates. By actively listening to customers, Stephen supports a mutually beneficial relationship with their guests. Not only does this showcase a commitment to meeting their guest's desires but it strengthens the bond between Firebird's and its customers.
Quote of the Show:
- “We need to be kind to our suppliers. We need to be empathetic. They do everything for us. Without them, we wouldn't be here.” - Stephen Crouch
Links:
- Stephen Crouch’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-crouch-6851684/
- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill’s Website: https://firebirdsrestaurants.com/
- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/FirebirdsGrill
- Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation: https://www.alexslemonade.org/
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Grounded is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/
Creators and Guests
Host
Lauren Mitchell
Lauren Mitchell is the Director of National Accounts and Custom Distribution at Produce Alliance, LLC. She is a dedicated fresh produce spend & spec maximizer for multi-unit national restaurant chains & groups. She gets to know your brand and infuses your expectation for quality, consistency and transparency to create more reliability in your produce category.
