ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - April 1, 2004
This is a day early, but there have been
some major changes in my life that I felt I should pass along as soon as possible.
Change of Direction
As you know, my background is in foodservice operations. I have owned
or managed about every type of dining format there is, with the exception of corporate
fast food. I left my last operations job in 1989 and found myself speaking, consulting,
writing and teaching ever since. It has been a rewarding interlude, one that I
would not have changed for anything. But lately I have really been missing the
day-to-day challenges of operations -- the hours, covering for workers who do
not show up, dealing with malfunctioning equipment, doing the late night closings.
You know, all the things that keep you sharp and on your toes.
You have probably also read articles in the trade press about how some national
chains are on a prolonged negative sales trend. The corporate headquarters of
one national chain (I will call them Royal Burger to protect their identity) admits
that they are in trouble but the only way they know how to fix it is to come up
with another clever advertising slogan and dump millions into TV spots. Figuring
that they really have little to lose, they want to experiment with what is possible
and have given the local RB franchisee the green light to see what he can do to
resurrect the concept, perhaps feeling that the Pacific Northwest is so far out
of the mainstream that nobody will notice if he screws it up! In any event, if
a new approach works here, they could roll it out regionally and then perhaps
nationally.
To make a long story short, the local franchisee and I have come to know each
other over the years. He likes the concept development work I have done for other
clients and has asked me to be part of this experiment. I have been looking for
a project with national implications and have agreed to work with him. The original
plan was to put me on the project team immediately, but he is short three counter
people and has asked me to fill in there until he gets the shifts filled. With
the mortgage and all, the pay cut will be a little rough to handle, but I really
do need to learn the current RB system sooner or later and this hands-on experience
will help me bond with the workers. He promises me that it is only temporary ...
but I digress.
Perhaps it is the result of a short attention span, but I try to "retire" every
five years or so and look in other directions. Sometimes I choose to continue
with what I have been doing and sometimes I take an entirely different path. I
have learned that the next step is always obvious, so when the obvious next step
shows up, I just take it. This appears to be the next step for me. I will continue
to send out the EHC on a sporadic basis as my schedule permits. I want to thank
all of you for being part of my extended family and I am sure you will support
me in this new adventure.
The Perpetual Question
What did you learn from your life today?
[ Home ] [ Top ] [ Email Restaurant Doctor ]
© 2004 Restaurant Doctor