On the Run'' markets by 2002 that will sell food from such partners as Blimpie International Inc. and Taco Bell. It's hoping that higher-margin salads, sandwiches, and eventually dinner entrees will attract new customers. The system is lower in cost than preparing food on site, but competitors snipe at the quality. The customer wants restaurant-quality food,'' says Howard B. Stoeckel, head of marketing, who doubts commissary food can measure up. Southland says its new system can lower costs, improve quality, and boost sales.
Stores now get fresh milk daily instead of three times a week.
And prices are lower since Oak Farms passes on the savings of not having to serve the stores itself. Based on the system used by Seven-Eleven Japan, it's supposed to tie together the distribution centers, the stores, and headquarters. Owners can use it to track inventory item by item and to analyze sales trends based on time of day, weather, and other factors. In theory, that should allow them to make more precise sales forecasts. But getting store operators to use the system effectively could be hard.