Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc.; ARCOP, Inc.; and Strategic Sourcing Group Co-op, LLC (SSG), honored nine suppliers with Red Hat Supplier Achievement Awards during the Arby’s Worldwide Franchise Convention, on Oct. 3-6 in Phoenix.

The Red Hat Supplier Achievement Awards recognize Arby’s suppliers who have provided superior levels of service and support to the Arby’s restaurant system.

“All of these partners have performed above and beyond expectations this year,” says David Cox, president, ARCOP, Arby’s national non-profit food service supply chain organization. “Close collaboration with our supply chain partners is critical in helping to position Arby’s as one of the leading fast food innovators.”

“These suppliers exemplify a dedication to the Arby’s system,” says Les Karel, president, SSG, an independent purchasing cooperative supporting both Wendy’s and Arby’s restaurants. “In today’s competitive marketplace, our suppliers’ focus on quality, value, service, and innovation helps Arby’s continue to deliver high quality, great tasting food while driving down costs and improving operations.” 

A.J. Antunes & Co.,an equipment resource that has been an Arby’s partner for more than 10 years, received a Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award for demonstrating a superior commitment to the brand year after year through extraordinary customer service, innovative research and development, proactive operational improvements and competitive pricing.

An Arby’s supplier for more than 13 years, Ample Industries, Inc., was recognized with a Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award for their willingness to drive innovation and service for the Arby’s brand, including the design and roll-out of new packaging.

A valued supplier since 2001, Gehl Foods, Inc., was named a Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award winner for their commitment to going the extra mile in the areas of product innovation, quality assurance, and cost savings.

Highland Baking Companyepitomizes Arby’s Make a Difference value and received a Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award for playing an integral role in one of Arby’s most successful product introductions, Roastburger sandwiches.

Red Hat Achievement Award winnerMindshare Technologies, Inc., exceeded expectations with the development of Arby’s customer service program, Arby’s Promise Check, which provides vital information on how Arby’s is performing operationally from the front line in each restaurant.

The Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award in the distribution center category was presented to Systems Services of America, Inc., Portland,for ranking number one across nine key performance areas set by ARCOP and based on feedback from company-operated and franchised Arby’s restaurants.

Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award winner Summit Energy Services was selected for proactively working to educate and empower the Arby’s system to make smart, financially beneficial choices when it comes to energy procurement.

In the Distributor category, TriMark Foodcraft rose to the top to win a Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award for exceptional customer service, attention to detail, impressive follow-through, and dedication to Arby’s franchise and company operators with the necessary staff and support to get the job done right.

Veg-Fresh Farmswas recognized with a Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award for their dedication to great service, hard work, and innovative solutions to help Arby’s launch its first national produce program.