Viewpoint
Upgrade Your Talent Now
Some months back, I sat amongst the most prominent leaders in our industry at a CEO breakaway during a top tier national conference. Our speaker, a McKinsey & Company consultant, provided a plethora of valuable and relevant information. Truth is I would have killed for a copy of his slides. Unfortunately his presentation style was flat at best and it did fall into that dreaded after lunch slot. Towards the end of the presentation our McKinsey guru said, “If there is one piece of advice I can give you, it is to upgrade your talent now!” I quickly scanned the room and to my dismay noted all but a few of the attendees were half asleep. I so wanted to jump up, raise my hand and shout, “Bob Gershberg, Dick Wray Executive Search – Did you just say upgrade your talent now?” but I thought better of it.
Management
The Next Evolution in Economics: Rethinking GrowthThe credit crunch has forced people across many sectors to rethink their assumptions about how they do business, the roles of the individual in the larger system, and the very future of the system itself.
These reflections are beginning to bear fruit. We've begun to see a shift from the old, linear transaction-based approach to business toward a new, circular view, in which shared resources can better benefit all in a way that adds depth (and value) to this future economy.
FYI Candidates
Candidates: What to Do if You Get Asked “The Money Question”When “the money question” comes up in an interview, how you respond can ultimately factor in how worthy a candidate you’ll be deemed and how much you’ll ultimately be offered should you have the good fortune to receive an employment offer.
Retention
Keeping Your “A Team”
Over the last week or two the economy has started to show some signs that we may be seeing the beginnings of some recovery or at least that we’re at the “bottom”. During the recent tough times, many organizations have significantly, but understandably, reduced investment in developing their talent while many individuals have simply “hunkered down” in their current roles rather than risk taking on a new challenge in uncertain times.
Consequently, as conditions start to improve, one of the bigger challenges that many organizations will face may well be that of retaining their talented employee base. As is normal, it will be the most talented who are targeted when staffing really kicks into a higher gear, so what can good leaders do now to help protect themselves against losing some of their better players as conditions progressively improve?
Executive Movements
Restaurant Industry Veteran Martin O'Dowd Named President of Hurricane Grill & Wings - Martin O'Dowd, a well-known restaurant industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, has been appointed president of Hurricane AMT, LLC, the franchisor of the rapidly growing Hurricane Grill & Wings restaurants. O'Dowd has been CEO of three public restaurant companies over the past 20 years. Most recently he served as president and CEO of Famous Daves of America in Minneapolis, where he successfully developed the organization from 18 units in the Midwest into an 84-unit national concept.
Omar Janjua has joined Sonic Corp. as president of its restaurant-operating subsidiary, Sonic Restaurants Inc., replacing Eddie Saroch, who has moved to another post within Sonic, the company said Tuesday.
Janjua most recently was executive vice president and chief operating officer for Steak n Shake Co. of Indianapolis. Prior to Steak n Shake, Janjua worked for 18 years with Pizza Hut.
DUNKIN’ BRANDS, parent of the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins snack chains, said Monday it has named CHRISTINE DEPUTY and KAREN RASKOPF senior vice president of human resources and senior vice president of corporate communications, respectively. Before joining Canton-based Dunkin' Brands, Deputy served as Starbucks' vice president of partner resources for the Asia Pacific Region and Raskopf was senior vice president of corporate communications for Blockbuster Inc. Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, combined, have more than 14,000 locations worldwide.
CICI ENTERPRISES LP, parent of the 650-unit CICI’S PIZZA buffet chain, said Monday it had hired MICHAEL R. SHUMSKY as chief executive to replace CRAIG MOORE, who is retiring. Shumsky most recently was chief executive of 62-unit LA MADELEINE RESTAURANT INC. in Dallas. Before that, he was chairman and chief executive of JOHNNY ROCKETS GROUP INC. Moore, who also held the title of president, will retain an ownership position in CiCi’s. He joined the chain as a restaurant manager 17 years ago when it had 47 restaurants.
MCALISTER’S CORP., parent to the 285-unit McAlister’s Deli chain, said Monday it has made several executive changes. NATALIE BLACHER has been promoted to the new position of senior vice president of marketing. She had been vice president of marketing. ANNICA KREIDER has replaced Blacher as vice president of marketing. She previously was director of marketing services. JOHN DRUMMOND has been promoted to vice president of human resources. He previously was senior director of human resources. CHARLES CORLEY has been named vice president of operations. He previously was manager of franchise operations. VICKIE FRISBIE has been named vice president of training. She most recently was senior director of training at Corner Bakery Cafe.
Financial Overview
KRISPY KREME INTERNATIONAL INC. nearly broke even in its latest quarter, helped by lower commodity costs, the closure of underperforming stores and a same-store sales increase at corporate locations. The operator or franchisor of 548 Krispy Kreme locations, said it would continue to open stores with a smaller footprint as well as additional overseas locations.
Pointing to the downturn, BENIHANA INC. Monday said that for its first quarter ended July 19 net income plummeted 50.2 percent to $1.1 million, or 5 cents per share, from $2.2 million, or 12 cents per share, a year earlier. Quarterly same-store sales dipped 10.1 percent companywide, officials noted, as the Benihana teppanyaki chain experienced a 13.1-percent decrease and the HARU sushi brand, a 14.8-percent falloff. The RA SUSHI BAR group saw same-store sales rise 3.5 percent for the quarter, sources at the Miamibased company reported. Benihana said its latest-quarter revenue rose 1.6 percent to $96.0 million, on the openings of three new restaurants.
OSI RESTAURANT PARTNERS, parent of the 972-unit OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE chain, on Friday reported a second-quarter net loss of $88.1 million as same-store sales at its four concepts fell. The company, with 1,477 restaurants in all, said it cut expenses and experienced lower beef and dairy prices to reduce losses in the second quarter, which ended June 30, from the same period a year ago, when it reported a loss of $177.4 million
Executive Chat
Featuring Jim Amos, CEO of Tasti D-lite
The entrepreneurial journey of Jim Amos has taken a turn for the tasty. Amos, whose credits include Chairman Emeritus of Mail Boxes, Etc., past Chairman of the IFA, Vietnam vet, and best-selling author, became CEO of the treat shop chain Tasti D-lite in 2007.
Tasti D-lite’s retail outlets have been a long-time favorite in NYC. To set the record straight, Tasti D-lite’s creamy concoction is neither frozen yogurt nor ice cream.
“It is something entirely unique. It’s a dairy based frozen dessert made with natural ingredients, and it’s a smarter food choice,” explained Amos in our recent wide-ranging chat.
Remarkably, a typical 4 ounce serving has about 70 calories, and the secret recipe comes in 100 different flavors. For anyone like me who has a calorie conscious and an insatiable sweet tooth, this is pretty near miraculous. I’ll take the Chocolate Pudding flavor, please.
For Amos, a Peanut Butter man, the biggest treat of Tasti D-Lite is the opportunity to “create a subcategory of healthy, good for you, good tasting products. That is at the end of the day what sold us on that transaction.”
-
Chief Executive Officer- Dallas
- The Chief Executive Officer in partnership with the Board of Directors is responsible for the success of two fast casual brands. The CEO has overall responsibility for implementing the strategic direction and executive management of the brands. The CEO will be the architect of the Brands’ growth. The CEO will provide leadership and direction and coordinate all activities of the company in accordance with the goals and objectives of the organization to safeguard and grow the assets of the organization while providing sound returns to both internal and external stakeholders. The CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and sets the tone and executes strategic planning for the company. This includes the vision, executive management, organizing, financial direction and control of all matters relating to the successful execution of the company’s operations and growth. The CEO is responsible for ensuring that all units maintain company standards for food quality, service, sales growth, and profit margins. In addition, the CEO is also responsible for ensuring that the company meets its overall financial targets.
Click for PDF
- Excellent opportunity for a Director of Operations to lead a multi-state region for a dynamic and market-leading fast-casual restaurant company.
This $400m fast-casual leader is a favorite with consumers and has a team of accomplished leaders at its helm. They are moving forward with great momentum for continuing aggressive national expansion and innovation.Click for PDF »
Director of Operations - Location: Denver, Phoenix, or Las Vegas
- Newly created position for exciting, new product launch. Sales management and customer business development responsibility. Phase one includes swift New England market penetration with focus on non-commercial food service channels such as universities, amusement/recreation venues, hospitals, and securing authorized supplier status with major contract management companies. Product will then be rolled out throughout US, region by region, building and developing a diverse national sales team.
Click for PDF »
Director of National Sales – Food Service - New England
- Direct restaurant concept design and construction activities at every phase and in great detail. Evaluate new properties/sites and develop hotel product design standards in support of new development.
Click for PDF
Director Construction - Southeast
- Ensure that team members in every role have the knowledge, skills and abilities to execute our strategy and their job responsibilities. Lead the development of the quality and quantity of internal talent needed to achieve growth objectives and achievement of business strategy.
Click for PDF
Director Training - West
- Excellent opportunity for a Regional Manager of Operations to help drive excellent results for an established QSR company. Company seeks to inject high standards at all levels and find a top performer who can show the potential to move up as part of planned succession.
Click for PDF
Regional Manager of Operations - Chicago, IL or Dallas, TX
- The Field Marketing Manager will develop, coordinate, and execute local, regional and companywide promotions that increase customer transactions, check average, and loyalty for the corporate brand. Work with existing approved agencies to develop needed support materials for programs such as display ads, billboards, coupons, etc. Direct agencies to negotiate with media outlets to maximize local TV, cable, and radio promotional activities. Prepare and disseminate communications and instructions to affected restaurants in advance of promotional launches.
Click for PDF