Volume 23 Issue 2  February 2023

Scroll down to find our February meeting photo montage link!

I really enjoyed seeing everyone at the February Chain Gang Meeting. Our Market Vision / Chain Gang team is mostly still working from home, so I don’t get out much these days. For me, it was a welcome and sunny change of scenery.

This new hybrid work environment that has lingered post-pandemic has provided us with greater personal flexibility and more hiring options. But it has also cut into the amount of “face-time” we get with each other and thus adds new importance to quarterly get-togethers.

Secondly, we have had incredible turnover in our industry throughout the pandemic. There are lots of new faces, lots of new connections to make, and lots of new relationships to establish. Again, new attendees, welcome to our supply chain community.

For some of us, who have been around for longer than we would like to admit, there is a new responsibility to give back, to mentor, to leave the industry in better shape than we found it early in our careers. For that reason, I’ve extended my dinner chats a bit and tried to be more informative. Market Vision has also made it easier for chain participants to get access to our commodity updates and info.

Finally, I want to remind everyone that we are introducing a Chain Gang Loyalty Scholarship. For the chain restaurant attendees, if your company participates in all four 2023 Chain Gang Meetings, your company will earn one free pass to the Market Vision Spring Conference, which includes the registration fee and two hotel nights.

Note, it is company participation that counts. So, if you can’t get to Chain Gang in May then send someone and keep your company’s attendance streak alive. Also, this is limited to one scholarship per company – and limited to chains only.

The May Chain Gang Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2 – yes Tuesday – to allow for some space between our meeting and Cinco de Mayo, which is that Friday. So please put it in your calendar.



Also, the Market Vision Spring Conference is right around the corner – March 22-23-24 - at the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. It’s a great conference, an awesome venue, and an easy drive. What’s not to like? Hope to see you there.

Best regards,

John Barone

President, Market Vision and Chain Gang Meetings

February Meeting Chain Attendees

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.

Paige Norman, Sr VP Culinary & RD

Del Taco LLC

Muna Afghani, Sr Manager Culinary Innovation

Barbra Colucci, Corp Chef/Dir Optimization R&D

Disneyland Resort

Carmeisa Downey, Sourcing Specialist

Jason Horn, Strategic Sourcing

Wendy Robinson, Sourcing Specialist

Steve Wessel, Sourcing Specialist (retired)

El Pollo Loco

Paul Lopez, Purchasing Manager

Fresh N Lean

Carmen Hernandez, Supply Chain Manager

Michael McKinnon, VP Supply Chain

Daniel Villa, Procurement Manager

Galardi Group

Jill Albano, Dir Purchasing & Supply Chain

Kim Zupfer, R&D

In-N-Out Burger

Bryan Kim, Purchasing Manager

Jennifer Padilla, Category Buyer

Victoria Praeger, Category Buyer

Jon & Vinny's

Vanessa Proctor, Director Operations

Kyle Weathersby, Director Purchasing

La Bufadora Baja Grill

Nacho Varela, Director Supply Chain

Lazy Dog Restaurants

Cherrie Carram, Director of Procurement

Richard Seegmiller, Director of Purchasing

Luna Grill Restaurants

Courtenay Shortall, Director Procurement

Heirim Yoon, Sr Manager Procurement

Northgate Markets

Enrique Tayun, R&D Corp Chef

One Table Restaurant Brands

Tara Johnson, Supply Chain Project Manager

Robert Morago, Sr Director Supply Chain

Pacific Park/Santa Monica Pier

Deanna Duncan, F&B Manager

Luisa Luis, F&B Manager

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

John Seo, Purchasing Manager

Peppertree Distributors

Fred Fruehan, Co-Owner

Alizah Lee, Purchasing Agent

Kristen Mata, Director Purchasing

Porto's Bakery & Café

Joseph Herman, Procurement Manager

Dan Robbins, Director Supply Chain

Procurement Plus

Dave Ditzler, President/Owner

Robeks Fresh Juice & Smoothies

Dan Richmond, Vice President Supply Chain

Rubio's Restaurants, Inc.

Alison Gould, Product Marketing Manager

Justin Mosel, Director Culinary

Stonefire Grill

Rudy Buruca, Director Culinary

Rick Wineman, Director of Supply Chain Initiatives

Synergy Management, LLC

Bill Braden, Vice President Purchasing

Tocaya

Rudy Sugueti, President

Yoshinoya America, Inc.

Sonia Aviles, Operations Manager

Janice Jinkawa, Property Management Manager

Keith Ortiz, VP Supply Chain & Construction

Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods was founded in 1978 with the mission to move people back to wholesome foods, just as nature intended. With over 300 unique products, we meet the needs of master chefs and home chefs alike. Bob's Red Mill is a trusted source for special diet restrictions, including gluten free, dairy free, vegan and Kosher.

Cathy Nehl 971-276-6369

C.H. Guenther & Son Batter & Breading,Mixes, Biscuits, Buns & English Muffins, Desserts & Sweets

Rex Wilcken 385-352-6683

We are CMI - Collaboration Meets Innovation - A full-service disposable packaging company. We offer Smarter Packaging™ - Custom and generic packaging designed for your restaurant to reduce food waste, promote your brand, and improve your food integrity. We store and deliver your product to your food service provider of choice and are your one point of contact for all of your food packaging needs. 

Nicole Jordan 813-528-2225

Consolidated Concepts optimizes the foodservice supply chain and provides savings and solutions for multi-unit restaurants and their partners. Clients leverage our contract negotiation, spend management, and supply chain expertise to reduce costs and gain valuable insights into their business. 

Meredith Yerkes 857-472-1507

Direct Source Seafood is your source for high quality seafood and service. Our product line up includes: Wild Argentine Red Shrimp, Farmed Shrimp, King Crab, Snow Crab, Finfish, North Atlantic Lobster and Pasteurized Crab Meat. Speak with your DSS Representative today!

Mike Salas 480-241-1380

Ecopax Manufacturer of mineral filled polypropylene containers, clear top-black bottom polypropylene containers, paper soup containers, hot paper cups, double wall hot cups, cold cups, pet and pp cups, handle paper bags and foam containers.

Mordy Dicker 201-390-4054

ekaterra Tea - We're the world's largest tea company but you can call us ekaterra (Lipton/TAZO) . We're home to some of the world's favorite hot teas, iced teas, concentrates, and tea powders.We craft each brew to delight the senses and soothe -or spark- the mind. To revitalize and reconnect. Our blends are a small taste of what's possible when people and planet work together as one.

Devern Williams 682-208-9088

Fresca Tortillas, Wraps and Chips are all natural with no preservatives or artificial additives. Made in our new SQF Certified 190,000sf facility and shipped frozen to you to preserve freshness at a +99% fill rate. We offer traditional flour tortillas, Artisan tortillas used for frying applications, wraps and corn tortillas/pre-cut chips. You will enjoy our fresh baked aroma, taste and that our clean label tortillas don't crack, rip or tear.

Tom Nist 208-863-9522

The Ghirardelli Company was founded by and is named after Italian chocolatier Domenico Ghirardelli, who, after working in South America, moved to California. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was incorporated in 1852, and is the third-oldest chocolate company in the United States. 

Mark Hurtado 213-247-6651

GOJO Industries, MAKERS of PURELL™, is the global leader in healthy skin and healthy places devoted to living our purpose: Saving Lives and Making Life Better Through Well-Being Solutions. Over the past 30 years, the PURELL® brand has become universally recogonized and trusted by people like guests, customers, and employees for providing effective protection from germs. By having PURELL products prominently accessible, you enhance the image of your facility by showing you care about them.

Ian Weinberg 205-577-8482

Great American Plant Co. - No brand – It’s your menu! We founded Great American Plant Co. (GAPC) with a vision for helping Americans eat more sustainably and healthier through our offering of cleaner-label, more sustainably sourced plant-based proteins. GAPC offers an innovative suite of products, which are 100% produced in the U.S. with the highest quality peas globally, sourced here in North America. Domestically sourced and manufactured, our environmental footprint is considerably less than our competitors.

Armetha Pihlstrom 763-291-8244

Hakoware by Harvest Pack Inc manufactures and supplies disposable tableware and food packaging for restaurants and food service providers. Based in Arcadia, California, we offers restaurants with branded, customizable, eco-friendly packaging for specific needs. Founded in 2013, we strive to supply customers with premium packaging solutions and exceptionally reliable service. Currently, we work with more than 500 restaurants and food distributors across the country. 

Christina Pou 888-727-7225

Kari-Out supports food on the move! Our extensive assortment includes food packaging, tableware, sauces, wipes, food and ingredients for the foodservice industry. Since the 1970s, Kari-Out has been producing high quality products with a focus on sustainable solutions. We have various product offerings that are made with recycled material, compostable, recyclable and PFAS free.

Vic J. Luperini 914-580-3237

Ken's Foodservice- It all started in the basement of Ken’s Steakhouse in Framingham, Massachusetts eight decades ago. What began as a single beloved family recipe is now a thriving business with hundreds of flavors sold nationwide. Ken’s is still run by the same flavor-obsessed family. We’ve surrounded ourselves with some of the best culinary minds in the business as we continue to create the widest variety of delicious sauces and dressings.

Raymond Soto 949-291-2072

At Lactalis® Culinary, our global product portfolio is the broadest in the industry, from popular brands like Galbani, Président, Kraft and, Hoffman's to specialty PDO brands like Don Bernard® and Société Roquefort. Let us help you choose the ones that are right for your business.

Sean Belger 619-654-0759

In 1921, we formed the Land O'Lakes Dairy Co-op with the belief that we're better when we work together. Today, we're more than 1,700 dairy farmers strong, and every day our farmer-owners are driven to make things better. Products: Butter, Spreads, Cheese, Performance Sauces, Sour Cream, Pudding, Custard, Gels, Macaroni & Cheese and individual snacks

Susie Grogan 909-553-9380

The Lower Family has been involved in the meat processing business for four generations. Our company began in the 1920's, located in Richmond, UT, and still remains a family-owned and operated business. We process a full range of premium protein items from beef, pork, and poultry in our Double L Ranch Deli Craft, Smoke Craft, Carvers Craft and Nature's Craft labels. We are proud to be a Certified Angus Beef Brand® Processor. Our facility is completely allergen, gluten, & MSG free.

Ken Gray 909-801-1312

Great meals start with great flavor, and flavor is at the heart of everything we do at McCormick. We are the Taste You Trust™, in no small part because our quality programs and expertise cover an extensive range of competencies and ingredients. Think of us as an extension of your culinary team. From new takeout solutions to mouth-watering and on-trend recipe ideas, we’re here to help you adapt, grow, and succeed in this new era of foodservice. Because together, we flavor.

Danielle Viar 714-402-4192

Mexilink Imports has some of the leading products coming from Mexico and Latin America. Tajin is our iconic chili lime seasoning that is on fire right now! We also have sushi grade Mar De Mares yellowfin tuna, Clemente Jacques jalapeno peppers, chipotle peppers & tomatillos. 

Jim DeMoss 346-461-9963

Mike’s Hot Honey is America’s leading brand of hot honey. Founded in 2010 by Mike Kurtz, the brand was born from a desire to create and share the highest quality honey infused with chili peppers. Mike began drizzling his signature hot honey on pizzas at the Brooklyn pizzeria where he worked, and customers started to ask if they could buy bottles to take home. Mike’s Hot Honey became a word-of-mouth sensation, sparking the creation of a new category of honey.

Cece Bratton 949-584-6759

Rotella's Italian Bakery masterfully blends old world skill and experience with modern efficiencies to provide the very best in high quality breads and rolls. Rotella's is a national leader in the foodservice and retail bread and roll category's. Whether you're interested in the latest trends, or have a strong desire to fulfill a specific consumer needs, we would love to explore how our capabilities can take your product lines to the next level.

Gary Wirth 513-954-7885

SIMULATE is a nutrition technology company with a mission to upgrade the world to a positive food system. SIMULATE is the plant-based chicken upgrade you've been waiting for, with 16g of protein per serving. Made with a crunchy, craveable exterior and juicy, simulated chicken interior, ready to dip and dunk in minutes, making it the perfect go-to meal (or late-night snack). The future of food is here.

Jenna Cameron 715-307-3031

Summit Hill Foods, formerly Southeastern Mills, is a leading national and international food and ingredient manufacturer. To our food service and industrial customers, we are known by our high-quality brands, and innovative solutions that drive sales and customer satisfaction.

 Summit Hill Foods operates manufacturing facilities located in Rome, Georgia; New Iberia, Louisiana; and Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Cindy Fortenberry 205-783-1465

Sunny Sky Products is a Beverage Solution Provider for the foodservice and c-store store industries with the ability to customize. We produce a wide variety of on-trend, high-appeal, and easy-to-execute solutions offered as core “everyday” products as well as seasonal LTOs. Our products include: cappuccinos, hot chocolates, iced and cold brew coffee, creamers, fountain drinks, slushies, bar mixes, smoothies, frappes, energy drinks, juices, teas, sweeteners, flavored syrups, sauces, and toppers.

Mary Bowen 562-225-0067

The Town Dock is a market leader in foodservice and retail calamari. We are vertically integrated and partner with a dedicated fleet of fishing vessels, local fishermen, and global suppliers. Our in-house quality team of food scientists ensure the quality and consistency of every product, whether it is product of the USA or imported from abroad. Additionally, with chefs and foodservice professionals leading our business development team, we provide cooking tips, margin-boosting ideas, and delicious recipes, to help our customers grow their own businesses, too.

Reneh Simonian 818-414-5334

Tradex International, founded in 1988, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of disposable gloves and personal protective equipment, primarily under the AMBITEX family of products. With offices around the United States, Tradex has built a reputation for excellence in the disposable glove market, serving a variety of industries such as janitorial, sanitation, food service, and office products.

Evan Lyons 503-307-2049

Veg-Fresh Farms is a grower and distributor of fresh fruit and vegetables to retailers and food service concepts under the Veg-Fresh Farms, Crystal Cove Berry Farms and Good Life Organic labels. Veg-Fresh Farms has a proven track in superior customer service, on-time deliveries and consistent high quality in our fresh produce items. We have built a network of professionals that service 50 distribution centers in 36 states for over a dozen national quick-service concepts across the USA.

Daniela Toro 714-446-8800

Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Since 1913, Wells has been bringing joy to everyday life. Our commitment to community and quality consistently sets us apart, helping us grow from our headquarters in the Ice Cream Capital of the World to grocery stores and foodservice settings throughout the nation. Wherever we are, we’re making a difference. It’s all part of our promise to bring joy to everyday life—all for the love of ice cream.

Willy Grogan 253-307-4853