Lawry’s Case Study
Microsoft Dynamics GP Serves up Prime Inventory Control at Lawry’s
Business Situation
Lawrence L. Frank and Walter Van de Kamp co-founded the original Lawry’s The Prime Rib on La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills in 1938. Much of the splendor of the meal was in the way each part of the dinner was prepared and presented. Ever the showman, Lawrence designed the famous “silver” carts so the beef could be carved at tableside.
Through the years, the basic elements of Lawry’s The Prime Rib have remained virtually unchanged. It is still a family business, with the second and third generations of Franks and Van de Kamps working side by side in the restaurants’ operation. Modifications and improvements have been made to meet today’s demands, but the meals served remain timeless-and still very much Lawry’s.
Lawry’s needed to update their financial and inventory control systems, to keep pace with the demands of a busy and successful restaurant group, in an environment of increased competition and rising costs. Their existing system did not allow for accurately tracking the performance of their restaurants and their primary vendors, to ensure that all of the contractual obligations were being met.
The restaurant industry thrives on accurate inventory control and inventory movement for freshness, and must have access to quick and easy financial reporting for provider payments and cash flow. Lawry’s knew that they needed to invest in their systems to achieve their business and operational goals