Buckhead Beef

Source: Food and Drink Digital

Date :4/11/2008 1:54:40 AM

The Buckhead Beef Company, a subsidiary of foodservice supplier Sysco Corporation, markets and distributes freshly cut steaks, seafood, specialty meats, and other protein products to foodservice operations in Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey

Written by Ian Armitage and Produced by Michael Magno

That succulent cut of beef you enjoy at your favorite restaurant has taken a long journey just to reach your plate. And with a growing number of top restaurants and fast-growing chains, it’s getting there with the help of Buckhead Beef.

Buckhead, a 25 year old company, is part of publicly traded food company Sysco, giving it access to significant resources and insight into trends in the foodservice industry - information it often passes on as a competitive edge for its customers.

Buckhead was established in 1983 with a handful of devoted employees and a very simple operating philosophy: “To provide the finest quality products at the best prices.” The company is today operated in a cost effective manner and is totally committed to this philosophy, offering customers complete satisfaction and high levels of service.

A great history

Buckhead has a great history and brings this asset to the table as it partners with growing restaurants around the US. It operates in three locations - Atlanta, South Plainfield, NJ and Auburndale, FL. – which leverage a network of 20 sales and distribution centers along the eastern seaboard and into the Caribbean.

Buckhead’s 75,000-square-foot facility in Atlanta is typical of several other sites around the country and the plant is in operation six full days each week, servicing restaurants such as Metrotainment Group, the Hilton Hotels in the Atlanta area, and Shula’s Steakhouse Group.

International recognition

In 1996, Buckhead gained international recognition, acting as the official supplier of meat and seafood products for the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games. The brand has since become synonymous with quality nationwide.

Buckhead has become the premier “Center of the Plate” purveyor, specializing in portion control cut steaks and stocks the largest inventory of dry aged USDA Prime and Certified Angus Beef in the United States.

Unique philosophy

Buckhead is as much a philosophy as it is a “brandable” entity. Indeed, from product procurement, cutting, and packaging to delivery, Buckhead embodies the mission statement “Provide the best possible product at the best possible price”.

It sources the finest quality beef in the nation. “Commitment, Partnership, Satisfaction, Performance, Security and Confidence” are qualities demanded from its supplier network.

Buckhead believes that the finest beef is raised in the corn belt of the Midwest and that these cattle have optimum flavor and desirability. To enhance this, all of Buckhead Beef’s USDA Prime and Certified Angus Beef (CAB) is properly aged for a minimum of 21 days to bring out the optimum flavor and tenderness.

In 1976 the USDA lowered its beef grading standards, meaning older cattle and cattle with little marbling were able to qualify for “Choice”. Prime beef availability was on the decline. So in 1978, Certified Angus Beef was created by the American Angus Association to bring back high standards. This USDA certified specification-branded beef was the answer to the demand for consistent, high-quality beef and Buckhead’s Certified Angus Beef really is the “butcher’s breed”.

Quality control

Around 80 percent of today’s beef market is controlled by a select group of packers, and as a result Buckhead Beef has developed a vertically coordinated network of packer/suppliers dedicated to premium quality beef. Buckhead Beef “quality approves” each packer partner.

What’s more, a never ending process of plant inspection, certification, product development, pricing and performance puts Buckhead Beef on the “cutting edge” providing the right product with the correct age, on time, every time.

Food Safety

Unsurprisingly, Buckhead Beef is crazy about food safety. Its objective is to provide the customer with wholesome products and a major part of the commitment involves purchasing from the major beef packers, utilizing a HACCP program, continuing AIB approval and following USDA guidelines. “The main goal of this commitment to food safety is to control and prevent the introduction of foodborne illnesses to our customers,” says the company.

Continuing to grow

Most of Buckhead’s business is in custom cut-to-order products, meaning that widespread standardization is a challenge. So, Buckhead has taken on the role of custom cutting more beef, providing portion-controlled, individually wrapped product to its customers, a service that helps reduce waste and kitchen prep time.

Fifteen years ago, just 15 percent of the company’s business was in portion-controlled sales. Today, more than 50 percent of sales are of the value-added products, in which Buckhead takes the responsibility for cutting the product to ready-to-cook size.

Just as the consumer is willing to pay for value as it makes for a great eating experience, so Buckhead’s market continues to grow.

Click here to view the corporate brochure on Buckhead Beef