Suppliers

Baskin Robbins doesn't really have much of a choice at all on where they get their products and supplies. There is two main suppliers- ice cream and paper goods, such as cups, napkins, etc. The ice cream is generally made local, like the Memphis Baskin Robbins get their ice cream from Klinke Brothers. Although, it would be cheaper to get their ice cream from Nashville, they are not allowed to order from there. Paper products come from a main source as well. Since Baskin Robbins is known for pink spoons and their "BR31" logo there is only one place to get these products. Things such as napkins and spoons would be a lot cheaper if the owner could just go down to Sam's and buy them in bulk, but franchises owners have strict rules they follow.

Suppliers are not always reliable either. For example, a manager might place an order for 65 3-gallon ice cream tubs, thinking they are going to get everything they order. A week later when the truck comes, there might only be 60 tubs, causing problems with that particular store for the week because now they do not have the correct amount of ice cream to serve customers and make cakes. Paper product suppliers are the same way. Recently, all Baskin Robbins have been forced to remodel their stores. During this transition, corporate has changed the design on the napkins, along with the shape and size. This caused a problem because for about a month stores weren't able to order any napkins. In this case, they used store bought napkins.

Also, for the off season months, which are during the winter, the ice cream truck will only come every other week. This will cut back on the supplier cost as well as gas. For Baskin Robbins stores this could have a negative impact. Now instead of ordering for one week, managers are having to plan out what they are going to need for 2 weeks. It is possible to run out of ice cream and if that happens, stores are having to wait even longer to get their supplies. Meaning unsatisfied customers. It is easy to say "Well how come mangers just don't order more ice cream so that they don't run out," but it is not always as easy as it sounds. Sales very from week to week and day to day. Sometimes certain stores might not have enough money in their accounts to order double the amount plus more on supplies. Depending on sales they might only have enough to order 1 weeks worth of supplies at a time and doubling the cost makes it harder.