Fast Food “Revolutionises” UK Foodservice Supply Chain with Logistics Appointment

13th October 2017

Logistics BusinessFast Food “Revolutionises” UK Foodservice Supply Chain with Logistics Appointment

UK fast-food household name KFC has appointed DHL and QSL to manage the supply and distribution of food products, packaging and consumables for over 850 restaurants throughout the UK, as part of its ambition to revolutionise the UK foodservice distribution market.

For the first time, DHL is partnering with specialist foodservice logistics provider QSL to deliver a bespoke service tailored to the unique needs of KFC. DHL will manage the physical warehouse and distribution service, putting greater focus on innovation, quality and service performance. DHL is also committed to setting a new industry benchmark by delivering outstanding service to all KFC’s restaurants and its consumers.

Key areas of focus will be reducing logistics-related emissions to net zero over the life of the contract, optimised delivery scheduling to provide a faster turnaround of orders, and greater integrity of food during transportation allowing for even fresher products upon arrival in KFC restaurants.

Having partnered with KFC across Europe since 2011, food logistics specialist QSL brings its expertise in the quick service restaurant sector to the UK in the form of crucial demand planning and stock management, with dedicated IT solutions. QSL will also manage operational purchasing for KFC as well as accounting for its operations.

“To date there has been little variation in foodservice logistics but we have specifically chosen DHL and QSL for their reputation for innovation in logistics across other industries,” explains Jens Hentschel, Supply Chain Director for KFC. Our mission is to deliver outstanding products to our consumers in all we do and the supply chain plays a fundamental part in this. We are rethinking all of our internal and external processes, and placing distribution and logistics at the heart of our new supply chain strategy. We want to deliver a new level of service to our restaurants and franchise partners, improve the quality of service to our customers and reduce our environmental impact – all to a level that has never been done before. It’s an ambitious plan, but by working closely with our partners DHL and QSL we’re confident that we’ll be able to deliver against our strategic ambitions.”

John Boulter, Managing Director of Retail, DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, added: “We’re delighted to be delivering a truly unique proposition for KFC, geared to the specific needs of the business. We intend to re-write the rule book and create a stock management, distribution and reverse logistics model based on best practice from a range of sectors including foodservice logistics. This model will support KFC in its ambition to be market-leading in all that it does, while improving service levels to its restaurants and customers.”

Left to right: Mel Brockhouse, VP Grocery & Convenience, DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland; Jens Hentschel, Director Supply Chain, KFC UK & Ireland; Oliver Jäger, Country Manager, QSL