With most quick-service brands sourcing their seafood outside of the Gulf of Mexico, executives may not be concerned about the impact of the late April oil spill. But the longer the disaster goes on and oil continues to be pumped into the Gulf, the global seafood supply chain will be affected, as will price, said Eric Giandelone, director of research for Mintel Foodservice.
Foodservice research company Mintel has issued a Special Alert offering QSRs and other restaurant companies tips for preparing for any squeeze on the global seafood supply, which could even go so far as leading to price increases for cod and other seafood not native to the Gulf.
"The longer this goes on, the more likely there's going to be an impact on price," Giandelone said.
While it's too early to speculate the amount of time it will take to before seafood prices rise, QSRs can take a number of steps to prepare in case the global supply chain takes a hit.
"Right now operators should be exploring every option available to them and understanding where their sourcing is and seeing how manufactures can help them," Giandelone said.
Mintel also recommends several specific steps:
- Develop a communication plan for your customers. Be pre-emptive about assuaging customers' concerns about seafood safety and upfront about reasons for rising costs.
- Diversify ingredient sources. QSRs have experience here, having turned to pollock and haddock when the price of cod soared several years ago.
- Learn from the past. Talk to operators who dealt with shortages post-Katrina and learned what worked for them.
