News

Focus Brands selects purchasing group to manage supply chain

July 25, 2014

Focus Brands Inc. has selected restaurant supply chain buying group SpenDifference to manage purchasing for its more than 3,000 domestic locations across six concepts. Focus Brands is the parent company of Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s and McAlister’s Deli.

Denver-based SpenDifference works as a partner with restaurant chains, combining their spending to obtain the lowest possible delivered prices. It contracts with a wide variety of suppliers, providing chains with buying power and expertise, while enabling each to maintain its specifications, according to a news release.

"It made a lot of sense to bring the benefits of scale and the SpenDifference technology platform and business intelligence tools to our system," Focus CEO Steve DeSutter said in the release. "We already had an established multi-year relationship with SpenDifference through similar services they were providing our McAlister’s Deli brand, so we knew we could count on them as a trusted business partner to help us improve efficiency and increase our buying power."

SpenDifference will open an Atlanta office to consolidate Focus Brands’ purchasing. Focus Brands will maintain internal teams to manage domestic and international distribution and logistics, international procurement and quality assurance.

"Progressive operators are increasingly embracing our co-op model, recognizing it gives them a critical, competitive edge," SpenDifference CEO Maryanne Rose said in the release.