Gardere Global Supply Network Partner Speaks on International Supply Chain Strategy
Joyce Mazero, partner and co-chair of the Global Supply Network Industry Practice at Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, recently spoke at the National Restaurant Association’s Supply Chain Management Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Presenting alongside leaders from restaurant brands including Church’s Chicken, Dunkin’ Donuts and Shake Shack, Mazero discussed key issues and strategies important to restaurant operators and supply chain executives charged with expanding their businesses outside the U.S. Topics included sourcing products, identifying and vetting suppliers in foreign markets, enforcing Q&A standards and limiting liability abroad. Mazero also addressed the important role of thorough investigatory methods in determining whether a supplier can satisfy the quality and performance criteria demanded by U.S. brands, the challenges of obtaining current and useful data about international operations, and the modifications that U.S. brands are making to meet consumers’ demand for information about the origin and content of food products sourced, distributed and served globally.
In a release, the firm said:
“It was a privilege to moderate a panel of distinguished supply chain executives and leaders, including Joyce,” said Sam Khoury, president of Next Stage Partners and operating partner with CIC Partners. “Joyce’s strong understanding of our specific food and restaurant business enhanced the valuable content provided to our audience of executive supply chain leaders.”
“Joyce provided critical insight on potential landmines in negotiating and developing international supply chain contracts based on her extensive experience in this area,” said Steve L. Pattison, chief financial officer and vice president of business analysis and risk management at Restaurant Services Inc. “Overall, the session knocked it out of the park for any restaurant chains in the process of international expansion.”
Mazero works with product- and serviced-based client companies and leads them through major initiatives. These include financings, mergers and acquisitions, registration and disclosures, as well as negotiations of strategic alliances, joint ventures, and domestic and international licensing, franchising, manufacturing and logistics deals. Joyce has been ranked in Band 1 for Franchising nationwide by Chambers USA since 2008 and is recognized by Chambers Global, which recently highlighted her “very strong sense of what it takes to drive a business” and “well-rounded viewpoint on transactions.”
Gardere’s Global Supply Network Industry Practice is comprised of a cross-disciplinary team of legal professionals with decades of experience assisting clients in implementing effective supply chain strategies both domestically and abroad. The team handles myriad supply network legal needs, including structuring, negotiating and enforcing business arrangements for research, design and development of new ingredients, products and technology as well as sourcing, manufacturing, licensing, logistics, transportation and cross-border trade.
The National Restaurant Association is the largest food service trade association in the world and supports more than 500,000 global restaurant businesses. The organization represents and advocates for food service industry interests by taking on financial and regulatory obstacles before they hit their members’ bottom line.
