LE PETIT CHEF
Managing Innovation – MBA 678
Professor: John C. Bryne, Ph. D.
Jabari Chambers
MARCH 9, 2017
Executive Summary
The topic of this case analysis is about Le Petit Chef’s dismay in the microwave industry. The
analysis will cover key issues about the companies lean workforce, troublesome manufacturing
process because of an extensive product line, and their mistake of ignoring their competitors. It
is recommended that Le Petit Chef diversify their product offerings outside of microwaves,
simplify the microwave product line, and incorporate the fuzzy logic into their microwave line.
Problem Statement
Le Petit Chef’s R&D department was overwhelmed by the extensive product line and
pressures of updating products, which transferred into the other departments. Human and
financial resources were stretched thin; the company workforce was lean and they were at in-
