Custom made - Catering to small, independent stores, Allen finds niche market for food disposables.
BizJournals:
Corporate experience spilled over into a small business idea for one longtime International Paper employee. Sensing opportunity in a niche market, Michael Allen (photo) left the food service division at IP after a 22-year run with the forest products company.
Allen ventured into the business world alone in January 2006, starting Strategic Alternatives LLC, a distributor of disposable food service packaging to small, independent users.
Strategic Alternatives, the parent of its 2 business operating units - BrandedCups.com and QuikStock.com - serves independently owned restaurants and convenience stores.
From custom printed cups to beverage carriers, straws and lids, Strategic Alternatives aims to service niche users who benefit from the company’s price breaks and shipping strategy. ‘A lot of the larger distributors don’t focus on the mom and pop as customers,’ he says. ‘They have higher minimum orders and restrictive credit policies.’
This underserved market, across the U.S. and in Memphis, was the target for the company. Read more.
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