Ready to go back to Work

Only a couple more days left before I'm back to work. Yesterday I went and checked out the restaurant I'll be running. Of course, I didn't tell anyone who I was or anything. I just sat and observed. If I were to grade the place, I'd give it at least an 85% if not higher. It was very clean and very nice looking - at least the dining room and everything I could see from it. The server was really nice - personable and attentive. She did a good job. There were a couple minor service issues that I saw in general, but nothing that can't be easily fixed. And the food was good. So, overall, I think I'm farther ahead in this place than I've been in a lot of them that I've taken over.

Of course, sales are down quite a bit right now. It's a tourist town - it's not summer, and winter is on its way out. So, it's really in between seasons. Of course, there is the question of the economy and how that affects how often people dine out.... but people do still eat out. They just want to make sure that they are having a great experience when they are dining out.

That might seem like a no-brainer. People always want to go to the places with the best food and the best service. But, when every dollar earned needs to stretch even farther, people make different choices based on past experiences. They might really want Greek food, for instance. But, the Greek food place in town usually has slow service. In good times, they are more apt to give in to their desire for that kind of food even though they know the experience might not be the best (I chose a Greek restaurant only because there are none around here and I didn't want anyone to think I was picking on them). But, in a tough economy, people may forgo a desire for Greek food because they know there's a little diner where the service is always great, the portions are big, and there is consistency in the food.

Overall, I really think I'll like this store - and the company I am going to work for. After the last fiasco I went through.... I would say anything could be better, but then again - I don't want to temp fate. At least this company pays their bills and I don't have to go to the local credit union and pay the power bill in all ones every month. Those of you who know what I'm talking about will wish you would have thought of it.

So, it's on to a new adventure.....

New Job

So, it looks like I will be starting my new job soon. Yes, still as a restaurant manager. It's what I do and what I'm good it. new company, though, which is great. LOL. New company. The old one is pretty much done, sadly. Well, not sadly for the company, but sadly for the hundreds of people that worked for them and trusted (blindly, I might add) that they would always have a job as long as they did what was asked of them.

But that's old news. It was a dysfunctional company for a long time. It was kind of like a slow-motion train wreck that you just can't turn away from. But now it's over.

On to bigger and better things - hopefully. So far, this seems like it's going to be a "real" job! I know that sounds weird to people who've never been in the restaurant industry.... but, believe me, there are a lot of jobs in this industry that the normal person would not do - at all levels. It is sometimes shocking to people in other industries when they see the time requirements, the weird hours, the amount of dedication, that is involved in this industry. Yes, I'm one of those people who thinks that everyone should have to work in this industry for at least 6 months when they are a kid. If it's not your first job, it should at least be your second. There's so much to learn here if you really pay attention.

Starting in March, I'll be training into a segment of the area that I've worked in a bit before, but that I've never really gotten into. I've worked in restaurants that sell pizza, but never in one where it is the "bread and butter", if you will. It will be interesting, and I'm sure it will be fun. You'll learn all about it here, either way!

Laterzzzzzzzzzzzz, Taterzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Signs of Spring!

I know, there's still snow outside. It was below zero last night. But the signs of a spring that's sure to come are here... if only on TV. Of course, this weekend, we have the Daytona 500 and all of the excitement of another NASCAR season. The Bassmasters Classic is only a week away. NHRA starts again this weekend, too! So, these are all signs that spring will be here soon.

Then again, the winter Olympics are just starting, too... so I guess we're in transition. I'm excited to watch the Olympics, of course, but after a long winter, it's good to see signs of spring. I think we all have our sights, smells, and sounds that tell us that warmer weather is on its way.

Sometimes it's funny that way. I remember a restaurant where I cooked for years. We always listened to all of the Brewer's games on the radio. We knew it was summer when we heard Bob Ueker. It didn't matter what the weather was outside - we didn't have a window to even look out of for hours at a time. We might have been just standing in front of hot grills and fryers, but when we heard Bob, we knew it was summer time and the stainless steel wall in front of us turned into a large field full of grass and sun.

It's those things, the things that bring us to warmer, happier times, that many of us in the cold north live for. I am one of those people who think snow-covered pines are absolutley gorgeous... until I have to take the dogs out, or get the driveway plowed, or shovel the car off to go to work in the morning. Once the Christmas tree comes down, I'm ready for spring!

So, bring on the Easter Bunny, the race cars and the bass fishermen! I'm ready.