Viewpoint — July 2008
Exceeding Expectations
Written by Bob Gershberg, Managing Partner Dick Wray Executive Search
In the hospitality industry we are driven to exceed the expectations of our customers at all times. Perhaps we need to master exceeding our own. According to the National Restaurant Association, May’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) was up again while the Expectations Index hit a record low. In order to best overcome the confluence of negative factors we have been submerged in, let’s focus on some positives. After all, we are not a pessimistic lot.
In their most recent quarter/period end reports the following QSRs were up:
Arby’s
Burger King (global & domestic)
Mc Donald’s (global & domestic)
Yum (blended chains global and domestic).
The following Fast Casuals were up:
Buffalo Wild Wings
Chipotle
Panera
Qdoba
Tim Horton’s
Even some Casual Dining brands were up:
Applebee’s
Chili’s
CPK (corporate)
Olive Garden
Mexican Restaurants (corporate & franchised)
The fast-casual chains continue to lead the growth charge with 2007 sales growth at 13.3% according to Technomics.
The charts below give a clear picture of where we are but most troubling is the view of where we expect to be. Let’s focus on getting our brands into the win column.
The balance of ’08 will not be an industry bell-ringer but many well-focused brands will come out looking better than ever.
All the best,
Bob Gershberg |Managing Partner|
bob.gershberg@dickwray.com
(888) 875-9993 ext 102
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