Viewpoint
Which Way is Up?
Good news, bad news, good news and more bad news, often all on the very same day. We are clearly an optimistic lot but are we misguided? According to the National Restaurant Association, a higher proportion of operators indicated they expected economic improvement during the next 6 months rather than a decline. Forty-four percent expect to spend money on expansion during that period. Conversely, Technomic’s latest consumer sentiment survey indicates consumer spending unlikely to return any time soon with 51% of consumers expecting the economy to worsen.
Big News
McDonald's Corporation announced that global comparable sales rose 6.9% in April, marking the 72nd consecutive monthly increase. Comparable sales increases by segment were as follows:
FYI Candidates
Salary is Not Your Only Bargaining Chip…
Executive Movements
FAZOLI'S has named MONTE JUMP vice president of marketing and SCOTT DEIBERT vice president of supply chain management and quality assurance. CARL HOWARD, chief executive of the quick-service Italian concept, said the hires were part of the 265-unit chain’s “aggressive program to rebuild and grow the brand.”
BENNIGAN’S FRANCHISING CO. has charged DAVID GORONKIN, as its new president and chief executive, with revitalizing the casual-dining brand that was liquidated last summer by its former parent company.
RICHARD E. "DICK" RIVERA on Tuesday was named president and chief executive of 189-unit REAL MEX RESTAURANTS INC., parent to the casual-dining Chevys Fresh Mex, Acapulco and El Torito chains..
Financial Overview
Despite spending more on marketing and promotions, EINSTEIN NOAH RESTAURANT GROUP INC. reported lower revenue and earnings for the first quarter ended March 31. Net income was $1.9 million, down from $3.8 million in the same period last year. ENRG owns or franchises to others more than 600 bagel shops flying the Einstein Bros Bagels, Noah’s New York Bagels and Manhattan Bagels flags.
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN INC. officials on Thursday credited cost savings and efficiency measures for better-than-expected first quarter results.
DOMINO’S PIZZA INC. posted a 68-percent increase in first-quarter profit on a gain from reduced debt and the first domestic positive same-store sales result in nearly two years. The company attributed the improvement to the introduction of baked sandwiches and its American Legends line of pizzas.
BURGER KING HOLDINGS INC. lowered its full-year profit guidance, citing the weak economy and the possible effect of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico, despite a third quarter profit increase of 14.6 percent. The company cited "ongoing market challenges and unknown potential effects of the swine flu situation." The 11,800-unit Burger King chain has 390 restaurants in Mexico, including 84 corporate locations.
Despite gaining some traction from cost-saving and traffic-boosting efforts and seeing a slight improvement in same-store sales, STARBUCKS CORP. reported a 77-percent decline in second-quarter earnings. The 16,000-unit chain is still experiencing the negative impact of its ongoing restructuring efforts, which have included the closure of more than 800 underperforming stores in the United States since last year, as well as the shedding of roughly 1,700 jobs.
Training
The Other School of Rock: Interview with Jim Knight, Sr. Dir of Training and Development for Hard Rock Café International In October of 2008, I attended the National Association of Personnel Services conference in Orlando, one of the largest annual training events for the recruiting industry. The audience consisted of executive recruiters from every specialty. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Jim Knight, Senior Director of Training and Development for Hard Rock International, was there, delivering a keynote speech about "Service That Rocks." What did the Hard Rock Café's head trainer have to say to a bunch of headhunters?
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Chief Executive Officer
- West Coast -
West Coast specialty restaurant needs a CEO. Sales of 100 mil. Prime location. Must have like experience. The CEO provides the proper vision and leadership to create success in developing and growing the Company. To give clear direction to the business, redefining strategy and priorities to deliver business improvements.
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- The COO will be responsible for the execution and profitability of all operations for this international multi-billion dollar Brand. An integral part of senior leadership, the COO will lead the charge to improve operations and grow the concept both domestically and internationally. COO leads the national operations team, directly supervising operations, operating systems, training and business development. Gives direction and engages the team to drive business improvements in sales and profit through people and quality. Ensures each team upholds the standards and reputation of the brand while enhancing guest satisfaction and franchisee profitability.
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Chief Operating Officer - East
- Responsible for achieving all goals/objectives of the Franchise Development Plan and Budget. The V.P. Franchise Development will plan, develop, and receive approval for and execute the Sales/marketing strategies and tactics required to meet the Franchise plan and objectives. Position reports to the CEO.
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VP of Development - Southern California
- Responsible for achieving all goals/objectives of the Franchise Development Plan and Budget. The V.P. Franchise Development will plan, develop, and receive approval for and execute the Sales/marketing strategies and tactics required to meet the Franchise plan and objectives. Position reports to the CEO.
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VP of Development - Northeast
- Working with an entrepreneurial minded Emerging Brand company responsible for achieving all goals/objectives of a stated franchise sales and development budgets. The incumbent will build a franchising team, plan, develop and execute the sales/marketing strategies and tactics required to meet franchise sales goals/objectives.
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Director, Franchise Development - Southeast
- Large independent wholesale food distributor headquartered in New Jersey with a second distribution center in the mid-Atlantic servicing both chain and independent restaurants.
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Director of Purchasing - New Jersey
- Under supervision of the Sr. Director OPS Strategy & Performance Management, and working in close collaboration with business stakeholders, this position will lead the evolution of the Global OPS Technology Grid to ensure the global integration of restaurant technology, business and data processes and vendor services that delivers best sustainable Technology services and programs.
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