Meat+Poultry - August 2022 - 67

Foodservice operators benefit from branded beef
partnerships by ensuring quality and controlling costs
BY BOB SIMS | bsims@sosland.com
R
estaurateur, owner and head chef, K.C.
Gulbro, owns and operates FoxFire and
Copper Fox Pub and Banquet Hall, both
located in Geneva, Ill. His work in restaurants
began at the age of 16 and through the years
he's learned every position in the house from
busboy to dishwasher to line cook.
Gulbro opened his steakhouse, FoxFire,
in 2003. He and his staff regularly dealt with
inconsistencies and the meat they procured
failed to meet the team's expectations. They
decided to change to Prime-graded beef. The
switch provided a slightly better product,
but at a higher cost. They tried pre-cut
steaks to improve quality, but the meat was
still inconsistent.
" In 2007 we aligned with Sysco Chicago,
and our amazing rep, Sue Wessel, introduced
us to Buckhead Beef for butchering and we
were introduced to the Certified Angus Beef
program, " Gulbro said.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
Buckhead Beef ensured FoxFire's steaks were
cut to the restaurant's detailed specifications,
and Certified Angus Beef (CAB) did the same
for the quality. Gulbro started with filets and
soon expanded the selection to include ribeyes
and strips. Eventually, FoxFire served only
CAB cuts.
" With the partnership of Certified Angus
Beef and Buckhead, we saw a reduction
in both our labor and waste, " Gulbro said.
" We also saw a great increase in customers
and profits. "
The relationship between CAB and Gulbro
continued to develop over the years. Gulbro
and FoxFire received staff training, menu
mentoring, chef support and more. In 2017
FoxFire became an official CAB licensee and in
2022 a Certified Angus Beef brand ambassador.
" They were more than just a company vying
for our business, they were an investor wanting
us to succeed, " Gulbro said.
As a brand ambassador, Gulbro is part of
a network of chefs throughout the country
who use and represent the CAB brand on
their menus, as well as through events in the
media. The brand ambassadors carry an
in-depth understanding of CAB that
includes the high standards the
beef must meet to receive the
brand's logo.
" Certified Angus Beef
hosts a yearly Brand
Ambassador Summit at
their Culinary Center in
Wooster, Ohio, where
this group of powerhouse
chefs comes together
to get creative with beef
cuts, share ideas, and visit
a working-family Angus
farm and see first-hand how
cattle are raised to higher
standards, " Gulbro said.
Gulbro is committed to putting
FoxFire at the top of a list of the best
steakhouses in Illinois. The restaurant's social
media marketing and activity has increased
after featuring CAB's steak cuts exclusively on
the menu with customers putting their steaks
on display when dining at FoxFire.
" The expectation is that our menu
showcases only Certified Angus Beef on our
steak offerings, " Gulbro said. " By investing in
Certified Angus Beef, we have a partner that
wants us to succeed. They are responsible
for standing behind the product, and by
that, if there is a problem, they solve it. With
Buckhead handling the cutting, I know that the
cuts are uniform. As I mentioned earlier, if I
need help with anything, Certified Angus Beef
is always available to us with instant answers. "
SUPPORT SYSTEM
From just two cuts of meat on the menu
to full ambassadorship, CAB has been key
to FoxFire's success throughout the years,
bringing the two entities closer and closer.
" Either through front of house or chef
training, marketing materials, and an amazing
www.meatpoultry.com | 08.22 | MEAT+POULTRY 67
K.C. Gulbro began his
career in the restaurant
business at the age of
16 and has held every
position in the house.
K.C. Gulbro
http://www.meatpoultry.com
Meat+Poultry - August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meat+Poultry - August 2022
