Newsletter
Sed ut perspiciatis unde.
SubscribeWe were lucky to catch up with Philip Ricossa recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Philip thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
Inflationary costs driven by energy and logistics have posed significant challenges for the profitability of the entire grocery industry. Woodward Ave Chili is no exception
We rely heavily on the transportation of goods from our suppliers and to our customers and retail stores. Fuel costs, which are closely tied to energy prices, play a crucial role in determining the cost of transportation. When energy prices rise, transportation costs increase, leading to higher expenses across the entire supply chain
Food Processing Energy costs affect our food processing facility efficiencies. Forcing us to raise our prices inside the supply chain. Those costs ultimately get passed down to the consumer negatively affecting our competitiveness and cutting into our profitability.
In response to energy price fluctuations, the costs of packaging materials have also risen. This has affected the costs of both primary and secondary packaging, impacting the overall cost structure of Woodward Ave Chili.
Philip, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Sure, we’ve been a a Michigan family owned USDA and FDA federally inspected food processing facility for 3 family generations. During the Polar Vortex of 2014. Brothers Phil and Giovanni decided that Michigan needed a high-quality great tasting chili to warm them during the harsh winters in the mitten state. So the brothers developed Woodward Ave Chili. A Michigan made chili for Michiganders like us.
At Woodward Ave Chili, we offer our With Bean and No Bean chili in a 15 oz can. We also offer our hot dog chili which is the same as our no bean but in a smaller can for consumers who only wish to make a few hot dogs.
What truly sets us apart from the rest is our commitment to quality and authenticity. We use locally sourced ingredients like our small red beans exclusively grown in the thumb of Michigan to create our chili, We make our chili in small batches ensuring that every spoonful is a burst of flavor
We understand that in today’s fast-paced world, finding the time to cook a homemade meal can be a challenge. Our chili is the perfect solution for busy individuals and families looking for a wholesome, hearty meal without the hassle. We solve the problem of providing a convenient and delicious option for those seeking comfort food
We’re most proud of the smiles and memories we create with our chili. Hearing from our customers about how our chili has become a cherished part of their family traditions or a favorite go-to meal is incredibly rewarding. We take pride in making people’s lives a bit warmer and tastier. We love our customers and try to thank them as much as we can.
At Woodward Ave Chili, we are more than just a family owned food manufacturer. When you bring our brand home from the supermarket, and include us as a part of your family’s mealtime experience. We feel like we’re a part of your family too. We’re dedicated to sharing the love and warmth of Woodward Ave Chili. We always look forward to inviting customers to try our brand and join us as a part of our extended chili-loving family. Whether you’re a chili enthusiast or new to our world, we welcome you to try Woodward Ave Chili and become a part of our flavorful journey.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
We understand the homegrown bond that Michiganders share. After all, that’s who we are too. This state has supported us for 10 years since we launched Woodward Ave Chili as a trusted local brand and we know it. Our customer’s have helped us build our reputation. But we can’t stress enough how important producing a quality product at a great value is. Consumers always recognize this. And its what we strive for at Woodward Ave Chili.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
Walmart’s Open Call
Way back in 2016. We were invited down to Bentonville Ark for Walmart Open Call. Its aptly named the Walmart Shark Tank.
How it went down for us that they put us in a kitchen where we had to cook different dishes with our chili in front of a panel of Walmart Merchant Buyers. As it happened, none of the merchant buyers on the panel had ever been to Detroit and had no idea about Detroit’s famous coney culture. So we made them some Detroit coney dogs and chili cheese fries. They loved them at first bite. And that’s how we landed Walmart as a customer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.woodwardchili.com
- Instagram: @woodward_ave_chili
- Facebook: Woodward Ave Chili
- Twitter: @WoodwardChili
Suggest a Story: CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know
here.
