Part 1: Cracking the Code of Supply Chain Success
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Amer Akhtar, CEO of iTrade Network, to kick off their three-par Supply Chain Superstars Series sponsored by Foodbuy.com.
Amer shares his journey from working with global powerhouses like ADP and Yahoo to leading iTrade Network, a technology-driven platform revolutionizing food traceability. He dives into the importance of compliance, particularly in light of the FDA’s FSMA 204 regulation, and explains how iTrade Network’s decade-long focus on traceability has given them an edge in navigating this evolving landscape.
Key Takeaways:
• Early Vision: iTrade Network’s foresight into traceability long before regulations required it, giving them a competitive advantage in food safety.
• The Network Advantage: With over 4,000 companies on their platform, iTrade’s data-sharing capabilities are transforming how suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers collaborate.
• Traceability as a Necessity: Amer explains why true end-to-end traceability isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting businesses from costly recalls, waste, and brand damage.
• Innovative Solutions: From supplier scorecards to data integration, iTrade Network is redefining the way operators manage their supply chains.
Hot Takes: The conversation heats up with discussions about how compliance costs are impacting the industry, why networks beat isolated systems, and why food traceability is critical for future-proofing the hospitality space.
Restaurant Transformation , Hospitality Strategies , Brand Experience , Hospitality Insiders , Hospitality Stories , Hospitality trends , Success in hospitality , hospitality insights , hospitality success , hospitality , connecting players , funny food stories , hospitality insiders , success in hospitality , hospitality stories . hospitality podcast, Custom business solutions, restaurant technology, restaurant promotions, restaurant ownership, culinary topics, food customs
Episode Credits:
- Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
- Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy Frischling
- Producer: Julie Zucker
- Creative Director: Adam Levine
- Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
- Post Production: Three Cheers Creative
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