“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.”

~ Jim Rohn, entrepreneur and motivational speaker

Delivery - How Do Operators Make Money?

by Neil Culbertson , Founder and President, President, Growth Partners LLC

The rush is on to 3 ^rd Party Delivery but how “economic” is it? I was fortunate to moderate a terrific panel at the recent Restaurant Finance & Development Conference. Our focus was on the cost side and the resulting margins and included executives from Red Robin, CoreLife Eatery, McAlister’s Deli and Pincho Factory.

Despite the fact that Delivery has been growing at a double digit rate and is forecasted to accelerate further, the majority of our RFDC audience was either unhappy or uncertain with their current delivery situation.

The panel agreed that, overall, 3 ^rd party delivery is “a mixed bag”:

“Life doesn’t have to be complicated. I try to keep life simple. Do you realize there are only seven colors of the rainbow? Only seven. Look what Michelangelo did with those seven colors! There’s only seven musical notes. Look what Beethoven did with those seven notes! There’s only 10 numbers. Look what Bernie Madoff did with those 10 numbers.”

~ Lou Holtz, former football player, coach, and analyst

Which Wich Founder Jeff Sinelli's 15 Lessons on Turning 15

by Jeff Sinelli , Founder & CEO of Which Wich

This year is a big one for me when it comes to nice round milestones. This summer I celebrated my 50th birthday and this December, my baby turns 15.

No, I’m not talking about either of my two beautiful daughters—who are both years away from 15 but seem to be on the verge of asking for the car keys more and more each day.

I’m referring to my business baby. The baby I started in Dallas with just a business card and a dream 15 years ago this December, Which Wich Superior Sandwiches.

Restaurants: What Has To Be Fixed in 2019?

by John Gordon , Principal & Founder of Pacific Management Consulting Group

So we have made it to a new calendar (fiscal) year. There were a number of gotcha moments through the year, which reinforced what happened in the prior year, the prior year before that, and on. We all hope to learn life and business lessons, but things often happen through the year that prohibits us from addressing those issues. Sunlight is always the best disinfectant. In hopes of a better year going forward, here is my top three list of What Has To Be Fixed in 2019.

Need Number One: the dynamic between founders and the need of their future development of their brands has to be worked out. To see this, we only need to look at the 2018 drama at Papa John’s (PZZA) and John Schnatter. Founder driven caustic statements and behavior happened over time , was then discharged; he then sued the board; the brand became immersed in the no win political drama, battered the brand reputation and reliability; and saw sales and same store sales falling sharply, upset franchisees, store closings, reduced royalties, extra ad fund spending etc. The founder problem was like a freight train moving down the tracks; we all knew it would hit the car on the tracks eventually. To a much lesser degree, lesser founder turnover kinks could be could be seen at Chipotle (CMG, Steve Ells) and Starbucks (SBUX, Howard Schultz).

Executive Movements

Jose 'Pepot' Miñana Assumes Role of Smashburger President

Dunkin’ Brands Promotes Company Veteran John Varughese to Head International Businesses

Your Pie Hires New COO, Dave McDougall

Potbelly Corporation Appoints New Chief Financial Officer and Announces Promotion in Operational Leadership

The Little Beet Appoints Former Starbucks Veteran, Becky Mulligan, to Chief Executive Officer

Metro Diner Continues Growth With National Expansion And New C-Suite Team Members

Financial Overview

FAT Brands Acquires Yalla Mediterranean

Flynn Restaurant Group Acquires 368 Arby's

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar Purchases 69 Restaurants In Franchise Transaction

Good Times Restaurants Reports Q4 2018 and Fiscal Year End Results