Operations Capacity

You are considering opening a small doughnut shop in your hometown. Research the process required to make doughnuts. After learning all of the steps that are required in the production of doughnuts, respond to the following:

List and describe all of the steps required to produce doughnuts as well as the equipment required to complete each step.
Create a bill of materials to list those ingredients required to produce doughnuts.
Describe what would be the capacity of the doughnut production operation that you are envisioning. In other words, describe what would define the maximum number of doughnuts that you could produce per hour.
If your doughnut business is incredibly successful (to the point that you are now selling them frozen, via grocery stores nationwide, so that people can prepare them in their own homes), explain how you could effectively increase the capacity of your doughnut operation.What change in process strategy would be required to produce and sell doughnuts in this way?

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Sample Answer

 

 

Steps Required to Produce Doughnuts

  1. Make the dough.

    • Ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast, salt, butter, milk, eggs

    • Equipment: stand mixer, mixing bowl, dough hook

    • Process:

      1. Combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in the mixing bowl.
      2. In a separate bowl, melt the butter and warm the milk.
      3. Add the eggs to the milk and butter mixture and whisk until combined.
      4. Add the milk and butter mixture to the flour mixture and mix until a dough forms.
      5. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.

Full Answer Section

 

 

  1. Roll out the dough.
    • Equipment: lightly floured surface, rolling pin
    • Process:
      1. Punch down the dough and divide it in half.
      2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch.
      3. Cut out the doughnuts using a doughnut cutter.
      4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the remaining half of the dough.
  1. Fry the doughnuts.
    • Equipment: large pot or Dutch oven, oil thermometer, slotted spoon
    • Process:
      1. Heat the oil in the pot or Dutch oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (191 degrees Celsius).
      2. Carefully add the doughnuts to the hot oil and fry for 1-2 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown.
      3. Remove the doughnuts from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  1. Glaze the doughnuts.
    • Ingredients: powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract
    • Equipment: mixing bowl, whisk
    • Process:
      1. In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until a smooth glaze forms.
      2. Dip the doughnuts in the glaze and let them cool on a wire rack.

Bill of Materials

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Yeast
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Powdered sugar

Capacity of the Doughnut Production Operation

The capacity of the doughnut production operation will depend on the equipment that is used. For example, a small doughnut shop may use a single doughnut fryer that can produce 12 doughnuts per minute. This would give the shop a capacity of 720 doughnuts per hour.

However, a larger doughnut shop may use multiple doughnut fryers that can produce hundreds of doughnuts per minute. This would give the shop a much higher capacity.

Increasing Capacity to Sell Frozen Doughnuts Nationwide

To increase the capacity of the doughnut operation to sell frozen doughnuts nationwide, the following changes in process strategy would be required:

  • Batch production: The doughnuts would need to be produced in batches to ensure that they are all consistent.
  • Freezing and packaging: The doughnuts would need to be frozen and packaged immediately after they are glazed. This would ensure that they remain fresh and delicious during shipping.
  • Distribution: The frozen doughnuts would need to be distributed to grocery stores nationwide. This could be done through a network of third-party distributors or by the doughnut shop itself.

Additional Considerations

In addition to the changes in process strategy listed above, there are a number of other factors that would need to be considered when increasing the capacity of the doughnut operation to sell frozen doughnuts nationwide. These factors include:

  • Food safety: The doughnut shop would need to ensure that the doughnuts are produced and packaged in a safe and sanitary manner.
  • Quality control: The doughnut shop would need to implement a quality control program to ensure that the doughnuts meet its high standards.
  • Marketing and sales: The doughnut shop would need to develop a marketing and sales strategy to promote its frozen doughnuts to grocery stores and consumers nationwide.

Conclusion

Increasing the capacity of a doughnut operation to sell frozen doughnuts nationwide is a complex undertaking that requires careful planning and execution. However, by following the steps outlined above, doughnut shops can successfully expand their reach and reach new customers.

 

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