Your Partner in Menu Development, Profitability, and Training
You Want Your Pilot to Follow a Checklist...
...and you want your Food Innovation Partner to follow the 6-Step Product Development Process.
We don't miss steps. We plan ahead. We are Forward Thinking (it's in our name...) We move quickly and make sure all players are onboard all the way. Processes don't slow us down; they help us move forward with great momentum.
6-Step Product Development Process
1. Define
2. Explore
2. Explore
We ask a lot of questions and agree on a clear definition of success. Starting with key stakeholders that share financial and operational targets, we kick off projects with momentum.
2. Explore
2. Explore
2. Explore
Blue sky thinking leads to brilliant discoveries. Partnering with chefs, marketing organizations, operations, equipment manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers, we explore and uncover great ideas together.
3. Design
2. Explore
4. Test & Refine
We prioritize key metrics and use all the research we've conducted to design the products, procedures, smallwares, equipment, layout, and communication tools. We create big, easy-to-understand targets and do all the heavy lifting here.
4. Test & Refine
4. Test & Refine
4. Test & Refine
Robust tests ensure all challenges are identified, and everything goes as planned. A quick refinement step is a great way to make sure all your goals are being met, and that your organization is ready for launch.
5. Launch
4. Test & Refine
6. Measure
The countdown is over, and success is ahead. We help rollout awesome new products and platforms, including internal and external communication tools. We ease the stress of new product launches, and create repeatable processes along the way.
6. Measure
4. Test & Refine
6. Measure
Key metrics, operational and consumer feedback, clear communications, a well-documented process and results are measured and continuously improved. We provide all the tools you need to sustain momentum.
What are Results of the 6-Step Product Development Process?
Answer: Thoughtful innovation applied to food and beverages that drive sales. Here's why:
1.) We pride ourselves on a high success rate of product launches because we work from clear success targets, and move forward with speed and methodology.
2.) We don't miss steps.
- Legal agreements? Check.
- Food photography scheduled? Check.
- Cook and hold tests complete? Check.
- Accounting procedures in place? Check.
This is just a sampling of some of the 50+ steps we follow throughout the Signature Product Development roadmap that results in successful product launches.
3.) We drive innovation and sales by thinking through the details:
- Developing proprietary items
- Sourcing difficult-to-find products
- Minimizing cook times
- Maximizing shelf life
- Reviewing current recipes and procedures
- Maximizing efficiency and consistency
- Generating product specifications
- Generating nutrition facts
- Scaling and commercializing food items
- Refining and strengthening your process
Food Forward Thinking brings extensive knowledge of the research and development process on a large scale. Following a simple and fast process is key to success in convenience and grocery formats, restaurants, and manufacturing.