Responsibility budget focuses on holding departments accountable for spending. In the case presented, determine who should be held accountable for the breakdown and the additional cost that Paula has to pay. Also discuss how creating responsibility centers would hold the appropriate manager accountable for over-spending in the following scenario.

Paula Beane owns a restaurant franchise that is part of a chain of southern restaurants. One of the chains popular breakfast items is biscuits and gravy. Central Warehouse makes and freezes the biscuit dough, which it then sells to the franchise stores where it is thawed and baked in the individual stores by the cook. Each franchise also has a purchasing agent who orders the biscuits (and other items) based on expected demand. One of the freezers in Central Warehouse breaks down and biscuit production is reduced by 25% for 3 days. During those 3 days, Paulas franchise runs out of biscuits but demand does not slow down. Paulas franchise cook, Betty Baker, sends one of the kitchen helpers to the local grocery store to buy refrigerated ready-to-bake biscuits. Although the customers are kept happy, the refrigerated biscuits cost Paulas franchise three times the cost of the Central Warehouse frozen biscuits, and the franchise loses money on this item for those 3 days. Propose alternatives in order for the restaurant to reduce operating costs.

Participation in this discussion provides you with the opportunity to use concepts and terminology learned in this Module while exchanging information with peers and your professor.