Latin America and Caribbean
The Latin American and Caribbean office opened its doors in Deerfield Beach, Fla. on March 1, 2010. This team coordinates the supply chain for over 1,700 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell stores located in over 38 Latin America and Caribbean locations.
Ensuring the uninterrupted supply of U.S. food and packaging items at the lowest possible cost is the primary mission. These items include all food and packaging items across all three brands (KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell) strategically supported by proprietary purchasing programs.
Signed by over 80 Latin American and Caribbean franchise owners in April 2010, the first Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions Service Program Management Agreement established a negotiated method of sourcing and supply that has already saved over $1.7 million for operators.
As the key liaison between the brand’s Marketing, Quality Assurance and FIT teams as well as buyers, suppliers and distributors, this program management group executes yearly on committee-level objectives for all operators.
Ron Burks, Senior Vice President, International Sourcing, Pizza Hut National Purchasing Co-op, Inc. leads the Latin America and Caribbean team from the Plano, Texas location. Purchasing and program management professionals coordinate support with brand and franchisee representatives from the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. office.
This team delivers on annual objectives established with the CaribLA Franchisee Association, formerly called the KFC CaribLA Association. “Providing these services for Yum! Brands’ international franchisees lays the groundwork for the expansion of supply chain services to Yum! Restaurants International markets around the world,” said Ron Burks.