Mission

By establishing a big-picture strategy that goes much deeper than rebate savings, we help clients realize greater efficiency, consistency and a positive impact on the company’s bottom line.

 

Five Commitments to Service

We build our consulting relationships by:

1. 1.Seeking holistic, customized solutions that enable food service operations to make a positive impact on the company’s bottom line

2. 2.Giving everyone a voice in the process — from executives to purchasing agents to key food service employees

3. 3.Working with your existing vendors and purchasing system — whether you have a GPO or or other contractual relationship — to discover hidden savings, measure success and consolidate programs to increase profits

4. 4.Digging much deeper than rebate savings to create a more efficient, consistent and cost-effective operation

5. 5.Giving unbiased, practical advice so that you can make decisions in your own best interest. We have no affiliation with any distributors, vendors or GPOs. We are paid by the client, which means we focus completely on the client’s best interest

 

Leadership

Our consulting staff averages more than 25 years of experience in the food service industry. We’ve worked in food service operations and for distributors, manufacturers and group purchasing organizations. This diverse experience has given us a keen understanding of all aspects of the food service supply chain.

 

Our expertise is in the following areas:

1. •Supply chain management

2. •Food service procurement

3. •Outsourcing and/or staff augmentation

4. •Contract food service

5. •Financial management

6. •Customized food service program design

7. •Auditing of manufacturers’ and distributors’ pricing and performance

8. •Organizational performance metrics

9. •Program compliance management

10. •Budget and forecast modeling

 

G. Michael Cronk, Chairman

Mike Cronk is the chairman of the board of Purchasing Solutions LLC. He has more than 30 years of experience developing and managing successful food service programs. 

 

In his role at Purchasing Solutions, Mike leads the consulting team in working with clients to develop strategic approaches to food service management. Having worked inside food service corporations for two decades, Mike has firsthand experience with the day-to-day challenges faced by his clients at Purchasing Solutions.

 

In 2003, Mike retired as executive vice president of ARAMARK Corporation. During his 22-year tenure at ARAMARK, he held several senior level positions. Previous to ARAMARK, he held senior positions with Saga Corporation and Szabo Food Service.

 

He is a graduate of St. Martin’s College and completed the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. Active in various professional organizations, he served as chairman of the board of the National Automatic Merchandising Association, and director of the Society of Food Service Management.

 

Larry Hake, CEO & President

Larry Hake provides senior leadership as CEO and President of Purchasing Solutions, LLC. He has more than 38 years of experience in large corporate and entrepreneurial venues, virtually all connected to the food service industry.

Larry has served as CEO of WTBG Consulting, Regional Vice President for three divisions of ARAMARK Corporation, Vice President of Business Development for Allied Waste Services, Multi-Unit Manager for Continental Restaurant Systems (CRS) Restaurants, and owner/operator of an award-winning restaurant.

Larry's deep experience in the food service industry has prepared him to help food service clients of all sizes achieve their business goals, including reduced supply costs and improved EBITDA.

 

Larry holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Augustana College.

John G. Norbut, Chief Financial Officer

John Norbut is the chief financial officer for Purchasing Solutions LLC. He has more than 30 years of experience in the contract food service, financial services and transportation service industries.

 

As CFO of Szabo Food Service, a several hundred-million-dollar contract food service company, John successfully managed the finance, accounting, information services and internal audit functions. Additionally, he contributed to the ongoing strategic planning and related implementation projects.

 

John has held several executive positions, including president, vice president, and CFO in the transportation and financial services industries. He co-founded and steered a financial services venture into a highly profitable, above-average growth business unit of a major transportation services company. He also established a formal procurement function for a major transportation services company.

 

John is a graduate of the University of Illinois. He is a CPA and CFP.

 

Jon Featherstone, Vice President of Supply Chain Management

Jon Featherstone is the vice president of supply chain management for Purchasing Solutions, LLC. He has more than 20 years of experience in the food service industry, working in operations, production/manufacturing and purchasing.

 

With his highly specialized knowledge of procurement, contracting, category management, program development and supply chain management, Jon consults with clients and teammates at Purchasing Solutions to develop actionable strategies. He has a track record of successfully developing and managing profitable food service programs within the retail, restaurant, B&I, and health care segments. 

 

Jon has extensive experience in group purchasing organizations (GPOs). He held key food service positions at Premier Inc. and Consorta, as well as with contract management companies such as Compass. He has also held procurement positions with Jewel Foods, Bob Evans Farms and Applebee’s.

Jon is a graduate of De Paul University.

 

Susan C. Burde, Vice President of Information Services

Susan Burde is the Vice President of Information Services for Purchasing Solutions LLC. She has more than 30 years of experience in the food service industry, developing and managing powerful information systems.

 

At Purchasing Solutions, Susan applies her extensive knowledge of technology and processes to create stable purchasing organizations. Susan has held the titles of director of information systems, system administrator, and senior programmer. Her career achievements demonstrate the ability to coordinate, manage, plan, design, program and administrate all functions of information systems.

 

Curtis D. Gillespie, Director of Purchasing Services

Curt Gillespie is the director of purchasing services for Purchasing Solutions LLC. He has more than 30 years of purchasing experience in the food service, retail and distribution segments of the food industry.

 

He has held purchasing management positions with A&P, Szabo Food Service, ServiceMaster, Pedi Bros. and Discovery Zone. Curt’s been focused primarily on consulting for the past 10 years.

 

Curt is a graduate of Simpson College. He has participated in the Karass Negotiation Seminar and various other educational programs. Curt is a past member of the National Restaurant Association Purchasing Managers organization.