| "body"> | | | | and make adjustments to our menu specials and |
| This economic environment could end up being | | | | marketing campaigns. |
| one of the greatest opportunities for small | | | | I see a number of restaurants closing down |
| Independent Business Owners. I know you | | | | around us, I feel bad, no one wants to seea |
| probably think I've been drinking the kool-aid for | | | | fellow Restaurateur close his or her doors. We live |
| breakfast. The facts are, we are in a position to | | | | in a Capitalist Country, the weak perish and the |
| even the playing field with the dreaded "Chain | | | | strong survive. Hanging out a shingle that says |
| Restaurants" and claim all our lost business back. | | | | "We're Open" doesn't cut it any more. You need |
| Here are some of the reasons I believe I can | | | | to be pro-active in your business. I think this is a |
| grow my business in this economy. | | | | time for Independents to shine; we can be the |
| 1. The Chains are very cumbersome, it takes | | | | standard in quality and service. We can be the fun |
| months to react to problems or launch a new | | | | place to eat, the special place to dine. |
| program. As Independents, we can change today. | | | | We all see how the Airlines are cutting back |
| 2. The Chains have a Corporate Anchor that | | | | flights, service and quality. Delays and cancellations |
| costs a lot of money to maintain. As Independent | | | | are at an all time high. I honestly feel that the |
| Owners, we don't have a lot of overhead. | | | | Airlines don't care. In the meantime, they're |
| 3. A number of Chains are publicly traded; | | | | bogged down by cumbersome overhead. They |
| investors expect dividends at the end of the | | | | now charge for luggage, beverages and certain |
| year. Independent Restaurants only have to | | | | seats, no more movies on many flights, no pillows |
| answer to the Owner. | | | | and in some cases they don't even offer food for |
| 4. Most Chain Restaurants are all over the | | | | sale. You know these same people will have their |
| country, it's hard to design a menu that works in | | | | handout during the great bailout. I have a question, |
| all four corners of the Country. As an | | | | why is Southwest Airlines still turning a profit |
| Independent Restaurant, we can tailor our menu | | | | when all the other airlines are under water? |
| to reflect our region. Utilizing unique products from | | | | Simple, they get it. Southwest doesn't charge for |
| our specific area. | | | | your first bag, or your second, there are no |
| 5. The Chain Restaurants are typically all built on | | | | change fees when you need to change your flight |
| top of each other. Many Independent Restaurants | | | | and they don't charge for premium seats. I think |
| have unique locations. | | | | this is a lesson we all need to pay attention to. |
| 6. The Chain Restaurants change their appearance | | | | Southwest has a model and they don't deviate |
| every five years. Independents are always | | | | from it just because the media is trying to scare |
| tweaking their appearance and have the ability to | | | | everyone. Southwest is a sound company with |
| enhance their image at their own whim. | | | | great vision, they constantly outperform the big |
| 7. Chain's expand so rapidly, it's hard to get that | | | | airlines. I think we can have the same success as |
| many quality GM's to run their stores. I know my | | | | Independents if we stay the course and provide |
| GM is on board with my program and coupled | | | | an above average experience to our customers. |
| with my knowledge and input, we can out | | | | Go on the offensive and claim your business |
| perform any local Chain Restaurant. | | | | back, it's a great opportunity for us to lead the |
| 8. Lastly, I personally am meeting with my | | | | pack again. |
| Management Staff daily to tweak our program | | | | |