Case Analysis of the Great Italian Food Company

Joseph L. Mayeaux

MGT 5000

Week 4, Case Analysis

11 September 2015

Case Analysis, The Future of the Great Italian Food Company

The Great Italian Food Company (GIFC) was founded in 1960 in the Italian Hill section of St. Louis by Joe Marconi. It is a family owned business specializing in a reasonably priced, basic Italian menu. Since 1960, the GIFC has expanded from the original “Papa Joe’s,” location to four locations throughout the Greater St. Louis area.

Given the success of The GIFC over the last five decades and competing ideas on the future of the company, a deliberate strategic planning process is warranted. As Joe Marconi is semi-retired, his four children, Little Joe, Johnny, Tony, and Maria, as top-level strategic managers, are taking on an increased level of responsibility and strategic autonomy. All four have different ideas of how to grow the company, putting The GIFC at a crossroads, warranting the formulation and implementation of strategic goals gained from a common strategy for the GIFC’s path forward.

We begin the strategic planning process with consideration to the following ideas or constructive conflicts on the future of the GIFC; expansion to additional locations within the greater St. Louis area; expansion to additional locations throughout the Midwest, specifically to other major cities; expansion of the product line to availability as frozen foods available for purchase to customers across the Midwest; construction of an upscale location in partnership with a professional athlete in the greater St. Louis area; expansion and specializing in different ethnicities.

In beginning The GIFC strategic planning process, the first step is to establish a mission, the vision, and the goals of The GIFC. As a family owned Italian restaurant business, an appropriate mission statement is that “The GIFC strives to be their customer’s favorite place to experience authentic Italian food in a uniquely Italian atmosphere.” To that end, The...