Our client is a renowned restaurant group with over 100 locations across the UK, strategically placed within corporate offices, Premiership football clubs, rugby clubs, and other prestigious venues. Recently, due to rapid expansion and decentralised operations, they faced significant challenges managing their marketing materials, printed assets, and branded merchandise.

The Challenge

The restaurant chain came to us with a set of pressing issues:

1. Disorganised Stock Management
2. Marketing materials, including printed chalkboards, sandwich labels, and embroidered uniforms, were scattered across various storage units. A consolidated system was needed to track or manage inventory, resulting in inefficiencies and stock shortages.
3. Inefficient Supply Chain
4. Multiple suppliers were being used to fulfil orders, meaning no bulk discounts or cost savings were realised. Additionally, this decentralised approach often led to delays and inconsistencies in branding.

Custom Artwork Requests:

• Restaurant managers frequently requested custom artwork for special promotions like “Fish and Chip Fridays” or “Thai Food Week.” These requests overwhelmed the creative department with back-and-forth approvals and edits, slowing production and increasing operational costs.

Rebranding Needs:

• With the acquisition of new locations, the company needed to kit out these restaurants with fresh branding while maintaining consistency across all locations.

The Idea

To address these challenges, The Printroom Group proposed a comprehensive solution encompassing our Pick and Pack Warehouse Service, Marketing Portal Technology, and Print-on-Demand capabilities:

Centralised POS Storage:

We recommended consolidating all existing Point-of-Sale (POS) materials into a single, organised location—our warehouse. This would provide complete visibility and control over inventory levels while reducing reliance on multiple storage units.

Marketing Portal for Artwork and Stock Management:

We suggested a centralised Marketing Portal to house all artwork files in categorised folders. This portal would enable restaurant managers to access, edit, and order materials without involving the creative department for minor changes. The portal also included a stock control system, allowing managers to order materials directly from one location while receiving real-time stock-level updates.

Bulk Printing and Cost Optimisation:

• By consolidating stock, we could identify frequently ordered items and print them in bulk, leveraging economies of scale to reduce costs. This approach ensured the client saved on procurement expenses while maintaining flexibility for Print-on-Demand services.

Brand Consistency with Controlled Editing:

• The Marketing Portal allowed managers to adjust pre-approved templates for special promotions while maintaining strict brand guidelines. Fonts, colours, and design elements were locked to ensure brand consistency across all locations, with the Head Office retaining final approval for any edits.

The Solution

The Printroom Group successfully implemented the following:

Warehouse Integration:

• All marketing materials and merchandise were transferred to our warehouse, categorised and stored for easy access. Using our advanced stock control system, we ensured inventory levels were monitored, with low-stock alerts enabling proactive reordering.

Streamlined Print-on-Demand and Stock Ordering:

The Marketing Portal was divided into two main categories:

1. • Warehouse Stock: Managers could order pre-printed items from the warehouse with a few clicks.

1. • Print-on-Demand: Managers could edit templates directly in the portal for customised materials, ensuring quick turnaround times while keeping the creative team free for larger projects.

Cost Savings Through Bulk Orders:

• Items requiring frequent reprinting were identified and produced in bulk, eliminating Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) and securing the best possible pricing for the client.

Enhanced Brand Management:

• The Marketing Portal allowed controlled customisations. Managers could input location-specific details for their promotions, but all templates adhered to corporate branding standards. This not only saved time but also reinforced brand integrity across all restaurants.

The Results

• Operational Efficiency: The centralised warehouse and portal reduced delivery times and ensured stock availability for all locations.
• Cost Savings: Bulk printing and consolidated ordering resulted in significant cost reductions on POS items.
• Improved Branding: Controlled editing through the portal to maintain brand consistency across all 100+ locations.
• Creative Team Efficiency: By shifting minor edits to the portal, the creative department was freed to focus on larger, strategic projects.

Through our Pick-and-Pack Service, Marketing Portal, and Print-on-Demand capabilities, The Printroom Group provided a scalable solution that not only streamlined the client’s operations but also empowered their managers to drive local marketing initiatives effectively.

If your business is facing similar challenges with inventory management, marketing material distribution, or brand consistency, contact The Printroom Group today. Let’s explore how we can transform your operations.