Case studies in food retail and the food industry
A selection of projects run by AC Retail Advisory and its founder: from structuring startups in scaling to developing chains and formats across retail and food.
AC Retail Advisory clients
From industrial plan to execution
Work alongside the CEO and the founding team on building the 5-year industrial plan and restructuring the commercial plan and the sales channels. Weekly coaching on managing goals and actions, and support in structuring the team.
Business plan, pricing and strategic choices
Work on building the 2026 business plan and on defining the guidelines for the Normal Trade sales network. Industrialization of the pricing model for the grocery retail, Normal Trade and foodservice channels, and support to the owners on strategic choices in team, marketing and development.
From the brand to the grocery shelf
Commercial positioning and design of the brand system across Lunigiana Food’s product categories — Crostop for ready croutons, Orto della Luna for savoury pies, Pia Fochi for the sweet line, Guizzi di Mare and Chef per Te — with the brand and packaging of each, built on the recipes of the Lunigiana tradition. Alongside the brand work, revision of the company's pricing and management control, and support in taking the Crostop line into modern distribution.
From rebranding to production KPIs
Full rebranding of the historic Lunigiana name: the mark in colour, positive and negative versions, institutional palette and applications, together with the construction of the product catalogue and the story of territory and family. On the economic side, revision of pricing and management control, construction of the inventory forecast and analysis of production KPIs.
Founder’s track record
The operating framework of the franchise network
Work alongside the HR, Finance and Operations departments on building the operating framework for the network's franchisees: standards, procedures and controls. A six-month project.
From concept to the opening of the first location
Work alongside the owners on creating the first concept and opening the first location in Locate di Triulzi: core operating standards, procurement and menu construction.
Seasonal menu & strategic advisory
Work on improving the seasonal menu and strategic support to the owners of the chain.
From the recipe book to the opening
Operations consulting for the fish restaurant chain: operations manual, supplier sourcing, construction of the recipe book, launch of the location and training of the store manager.
First store inside Coop, viale Sarca Milan
Project manager advisor on the build of the first store inside the Coop on viale Sarca in Milan. A six-month project.
First stand at the FICO project
Work alongside the two ownership groups on the menu and pricing, the operating standards and the training of the opening team for their first jointly owned stand inside the FICO project.
Wonder Food, the food area of the UCI Luxe openings
Working alongside the retail leadership: creation of the entire food area for the UCI Luxe openings in Campi Bisenzio and Orio al Serio, brought together under the Wonder Food name, with the development of the Hot Dog & Co., Pizza Palace, Pan per Spettacolo, Screamy Burgers and Stranger Fried formats and of the Backstage project, the international-style coffee bar.
The next case could be your company
A conversation with our CEO Andrea, or with one of our people, about the situation in front of you — to see whether there is room to act, and how deep it goes.
Let’s dig into the problem