Every great film series includes a few key elements. Usually, they’re grounded in a great first act: the original movie that got the audience hook, line, and sinker — think Star Wars: A New Hope, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future, The Godfather. We fall in love with compelling characters at first sight. Soon, a sequel is born to resume ongoing plotlines, expand the universe, and create new depth — think The Empire Strikes Back, Terminator 2, The Last Crusade. Eventually, a prequel is conceived to add new context, enrich backstory, and trace character roots: Rogue One, The Godfather: Part II, Temple of Doom (did you realize the second installment of the Indiana Jones series was a prequel?!). In other words, we put great weight on timelines, not just what’s happening now, but what came before and what is to come.

In the food and beverage industry, timeline carries great weight too. Not just that dish you’re eating right now, but how it came to be and how its continued production will impact the world going forward.