Starbucks’ expertise could aid a slow vaccine rollout, especially since it has been focused on creating a better supply chain for over a decade. The company made a dramatic shift in its supply chain management over a decade ago when its operational costs were rising even though sales were slowing, according to Supply Chain Quarterly. The company reorganized supply chain functions and found ways to reduce costs and boost efficiency, such as having its manufacturing group create a better model for delivering coffee beans to its processing plants. It also created a single logistics system because its supply chain was expanded across the globe.
Starbucks has invested more than $1 billion over the past few years in sustainability bonds to help local farmers build robust and sustainable supply chains. The chain also has improved the way in which customers can receive orders, enhancing its mobile app and providing different means for pickup, including drive-thrus and curbside.
The coffee chain has also been particularly active in the community of late, investing $100 million to create its Starbucks Community Resilience Fund that supports small business growth and community development projects in Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. Its effort with vaccine distribution will likely further bolster its positive brand sentiment…Â Â Restaurant Dive