1. Man on the moon? Pfft. Try standardizing tech
John F. Kennedy pledged to put a man on the moon within a decade, a feat that sounded almost superhuman at the time. But it’s nothing compared with the objective Popeyes has set for itself: reducing the 40 POS systems currently used by the chain to one common setup.
The task will take at least two years, and, along with a complementary upgrade of field management, will cost at least $2 million this year alone, executives told a presumably slack-jawed group of financial analysts this week.
“We are in the 'how to' planning stage at this point, of how to sequence the implementation of the technology program to access the revenue and cost opportunities out there,” said CEO Cheryl Bachelder.
She noted that the chain has just completed the scoping phase of the endeavor, and should have an implementation plan by Oct. 5.
One analyst questioned the wisdom of spending the needed dollars at a time of softening sales, but Popeyes CFO Will Matt defended the outlay as strategic.
“One [system] would be better than 40,” noted Bachelder.
The rollout is slated for 2018.