Matching Processing Capability And Distribution Capability Of Central Kitchen

It is very important for food chains to apply central kitchen to process and distribute food. On the one hand, central kitchens can guarantee that the foods are always delicious and safe. On the other hand, operation cost can be reduced under the central kitchen operation mode. So many foods chains come to build up their own central kitchens for benefit. Nowadays some central kitchens which are operating meet with a difficult problem:the processing capability of central kitchen doesn’t match the distribution capability. For some central kitchens, the processing capability is more than the distribution capability. In this situation, some products which haven’t been distributed have to be thrown away due to the short shelf life. When the processing capability is much more than the distribution capability, some machines have to be laid idle. And there are some other central kitchens whose processing capability is less than distribution capability. These central kitchens can’t distribute the products to chain stores in time. This can lead to the shortage. So it is very necessary to use quantitative method to analyze the processing capability and distribution capability of central kitchens. Calculating the match level between the processing capability and distribution capability is very important for the central kitchens which have already been set up.The processing capability and distribution capability of central kitchen are analyzed. Matching model between processing capability and distribution capability is built based on the analysis above. Firstly, references about central kitchen, production-distribution optimization and logistics capability are analyzed. Then the concepts of central kitchen, processing capability and distribution capability that are studied in this paper are proposed. Secondly, the general flow of central kitchens is described. Qualitative analysis on the processing capability and distribution capability of central kitchen are made based on the processing characteristics and distribution characteristics of central kitchens. Then how the uncertainty of supply and demand affects the processing capability and distribution capability of central kitchens is analyzed. Thirdly, the processing capability and distribution capability of central kitchens are quantified. The matching model between processing capability and distribution capability of central kitchens is built. Then the model is optimized and the practical meaning of possible solutions is complained. Finally, the model is applied to the central kitchen in Beijing of HDL restaurant chain. The solution of the model matches the realistic operation status of HDL restaurant chain. It proves the feasibility and rationality of the model. And it also provides reference for the operational optimization of central kitchen in the future.