Viewpoint
If You Always Do What You Always Did, You’ll Always Get What You Always Got
The challenges we currently face in running and growing our companies are largely different in scope and nature than the many we have had to overcome in the past. We are always well advised to focus on best practices to get us through the downturn while remaining mindful of being well positioned to thrive during the subsequent upswing, even if it seems dreadfully far away. We have spent much of the last six months cutting costs and often cutting people. “Lean and mean” is the preferred method to get through the turbulence. So now that your team is lean ask yourself these arduous questions:
FYI Candidates
A Winning Suit Trumps Today's Job Market
No firm came to symbolize the opulence of the economic boom better than Google. With some "workplaces that feature pool tables and volleyball courts," this Internet giant has bent over backwards to woo top performers. Tough times are upon us all, including this mega-search engine. "Google has also begun chipping away at perks," the Wall Street Journal reported recently. "In recent months, it reduced the hours of its free cafeteria service and suspended the traditional afternoon tea in its New York office."
Viewpoint Too
Change is Coming: Employment and the New Administration
The day after the election, the market plummeted in what analysts surmise was in anticipation of the challenges the new administration will have to face once it takes office in January including unemployment, the war in Iraq, and the economy in general. Was it a bad sign for things to come?
Executive Movements
CARROLLTON, Texas - T.G.I. Friday's parent CARLSON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE said Tuesday that its president and chief executive, RICHARD SNEAD, is retiring and will be replaced next month by NICK SHEPHERD, most recently chairman and chief executive of SAGITTARIUS BRANDS.
PAUL J. B. MURPHY III, who stepped down as president and chief executive of EINSTEIN NOAH RESTAURANT GROUP in December, was named chief executive of the 510-unit Del Taco chain, effective in mid-February.
MEMPHIS,Tenn. - PERKINS & MARIE CALLENDER'S INC., which operates more than 600 family-dining restaurants, has promoted PETE PASCUZZI to the new post of executive vice president for operations and president of Perkins Restaurants effective immediately.
Restaurants Unlimited Chief Stoddard Resigns - Steve Stoddard, chief executive of Restaurants Unlimited Inc. said Friday that he is stepping down after 11 years at the helm of the Seattle-based multiconcept operator.
Financial Overview
Carl's Jr. - Cooler, wetter weather in Southern California during the fourth quarter and deep-discounting strategies by competitors contributed to a dip in same-store sales for the CARL'S JR. chain, CKE RESTAURANTS officials reported Wednesday.
YUM! BRANDS INC. reported Tuesday a 12-percent drop in fourth-quarter profit as one-time charges for refranchising gains and the restructuring of its U.S. business negatively impacted the company's bottom line. Yum was also hurt by the stronger U.S. dollar, which will continue to negatively impact the company into 2009.
Despite the struggling economy CHICK-FILA said Thursday that its sales in 2008 jumped more than 12 percent on new restaurant openings and same-store sales gains.
Tapping into the trend of consumers dining more often at home, PAPA MURPHY'S INTERNATIONAL INC., the franchisor of more than 1,100 take-and-bake pizza locations, earlier this week said its 2008 U.S. systemwide sales totaled $585 million, a 17-percent increase from the year earlier.
The Big News
Restaurant Industry Outlook Softens as the Restaurant Performance Index Fell to a Record Low in December
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Sales and traffic levels continued to weaken, Operators' outlook remained pessimistic The outlook for the restaurant industry continued to weaken in December, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant activity fell to another record low. The Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) - a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry - stood at 96.4 in December, down 0.2 percent from November and its 14th consecutive month below 100.
Join Us
2009 Annual Leadership Development Conference is March 15-18 in Dallas, TX. WFF programs, events and opportunities develop and hone the critical business skills that set leaders apart and move careers forward. More Info »
Chain Operators Exchange
March 1-4, 2009 JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida More Info »
This Month's Hot Opportunities
- Franchise Business Consultant - Northeast
- Exciting well-established full service restaurant franchise with 125 locations across various states and many locations under development, this brand is clearly the country's premier group in its segment. The Franchise Business Consultant will be responsible for supporting new and existing franchisees in all aspects of operations including, but not limited to maintaining established operating standards, financial management, cost control and analysis, staffing and communication.
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Director of Franchise Sales - Flexible Location
- The Director of Franchise Sales is responsible for the recruitment and signing of qualified franchise candidates for a fast-casual restaurant brand.
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- Ski Resort Director of Food & Beverage - West Coast
- The General Manager is responsible F&B operation to include 18 food and beverage outlets to - fine dining, casual dining, quick service and après ski locations. Total sales volume over $15 Million with 20 managers and 200 associates. Though the venue is seasonal the position is full time. Background in large scale resort operations, sports and entertainment or corporate/university dining center. Prefer ski resort but not a requirement.
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- Project Architect - Atlanta, GA
- The role of the Project Architect is to manage various functions of architectural design for site specific store development. The Project Architect fulfills this role by supporting three to four Development Managers who are working various geographic regions in the US. In addition, the architectural professional hired for this position will be responsible to provide communication, training, and leadership to those regional design partners to ensure a consistent architectural brand expression as we rapidly develop units across the country.
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- Area Coach - Southeast
- The Area Coach has the overall responsibility for overseeing the people, processes and operations of 5-10 restaurants in one area. The Area coach drives excellence in day-to-day operations of all restaurants in the market; trains, coaches, supports managers; plans and sets goals; focuses on instore problem solving/process improvement; sets standards; recognizes and motivates Restaurant Managers, Assistant Managers and Restaurant Teams.
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