In 2022, successful food manufacturer Custard Stand Chili was struggling with the complexity of their ERP system. The system hindered growth and frustrated employees daily.
Then Custard Stand Chili partnered with Stellar One to implement Acumatica Cloud ERP. The result was a remarkably smooth three-week transformation that freed their team to focus on business growth instead of wrestling with uncooperative software.
The Company: Custard Stand Chili
Custard Stand Chili makes beloved hot dog chili in Webster Springs, West Virginia. Over 30 years, they've grown from humble beginnings in a converted car wash to a thriving business with over $15 million in annual sales. Angie Cowger (The Chili Queen) owns the company and manages it alongside Jamilyn Beekley (The Chili Wrangler). They've expanded from a small takeout dairy bar to a major supplier for 700+ Kroger stores, 500+ Walmart locations, and other grocery stores in more than 30 states.
The Challenge: Complex Software Blocking Growth
Before Custard Stand Chili decided to implement an ERP platform with Stellar One, they struggled with unnecessary complexity from SAP Business One, an ERP system that was not user-friendly for their staff. As their business expanded rapidly through major retail partnerships, three critical problems emerged:
- Hard-to-Use ERP System: SAP Business One baffled employees, creating inefficiencies and forcing frequent retraining
- High Support Costs: Expensive support fees drained money that could fuel growth
- Rapid Expansion Demands: New contracts from Kroger and Walmart required an ERP solution that could handle increased demand while simplifying operations
This complicated approach created daily headaches for the growing team. With multiple warehouses and an anchor spot in Webster Springs' central restaurant hub, the business needed to solve these problems to continue their impressive growth.
The Breaking Point: Fear of Disruption
Despite the system's problems, Custard Stand Chili faced a difficult decision. The team worried about whether their employees would embrace a new system or remain frustrated with technology that should help their business grow. The fear of disrupting their successful operations made the decision even harder.
"We had concerns about switching...were people going to carry over the same old mindset about the old system?"
Custard Stand Chili’s Search for the Right ERP Partner
Custard Stand Chili needed a system that could handle their specific manufacturing and retail distribution requirements while remaining simple enough for their small team to master quickly. Their search led them to Acumatica Cloud ERP implemented by Stellar One.
The relationship with Stellar One proved crucial to their decision. The Custard Stand Chili team felt confident that Stellar One would provide the support and expertise they needed for a successful transition, especially given their rapid growth.
ERP Implementation Experience: Acumatica Cloud ERP
Stellar One provided dedicated support and comprehensive onboarding that exceeded expectations.
"During the onboarding process, Stellar One provided a portal that hosted absolutely everything that we needed."
Stellar One completed the switch to Acumatica in just three weeks. It was a dramatic improvement over the three-month implementation they experienced with their previous system. This fast timeline allowed Custard Stand Chili to minimize disruption while quickly realizing the benefits of their new system.
Stellar One's responsive support made all the difference. Noting the ease of communicating with the Stellar One team, Beekley said, "I don't think I've waited longer than five to ten minutes to get a response from someone."
The Results: A Complete Transformation with a New ERP System
The transition to Acumatica exceeded all of Custard Stand Chili’s expectations. Cowger was delighted that her employees liked the new ERP solution: "The results have been very favorable, very positive about Acumatica," she said.
For the office team, the change hit immediately.
"The overwhelming response from the office is that Acumatica is much easier, much more user-friendly, much less scary."
The new system delivered multiple improvements:
User Interface: Acumatica’s intuitive design makes it easier for employees to navigate, reducing the need for constant retraining.
Boosted Productivity: The simple interface and smooth functionality lifted office morale and productivity. Employees now focus more on their tasks and less on fighting software.
Cut Costs: Custard Stand Chili eliminated the high support costs that SAP Business One demanded, freeing up money for business growth.
Mobile Power: Acumatica's mobile app enables real-time order entry and management, proving especially useful during trade shows. Beekley noted that their team can now sell or enter sample orders while at food shows, which boosts efficiency and customer engagement.
Smooth Operations: The new system integrates seamlessly with Custard Stand Chili's existing processes, handling inventory management, order processing, and reporting with much greater efficiency.
Looking Ahead: Ready for Continued Growth
With their systems working smoothly, Custard Stand Chili can take on more Kroger and Walmart stores with ease. When major retailers call with bigger orders, the team knows Acumatica can handle the volume.
Cowger and Beekley no longer spend time fighting their software. Instead, they focus on expanding into new markets and building relationships with retailers who want their chili in more locations.
Success Through a Stellar Partnership
By partnering with Stellar One to implement Acumatica Cloud ERP, Custard Stand Chili transformed their operations to a streamlined, user-friendly system.
The fast three-week implementation, comprehensive onboarding support, and ongoing service from Stellar One have positioned Custard Stand Chili for continued growth and success in the competitive food manufacturing industry.
Your business can benefit from the same dedication and expertise that powered Custard Stand Chili's ERP transformation. If you're ready to discover what Stellar One's commitment to superior partnership can do for your growing business, sign up for our 45-day Risk-Free Trial today.