This past week, Applebee’s saluted Veteran’s and Active Duty Men and Women by offering them a free meal on Veteran’s Day as a thank you for their service to our country. The free meal was a great gift to the Veteran’s, but it wasn’t just about giving them something for free – it was about connecting with them and giving service to those that have served our country. Our restaurants created lifetime memories for the Veteran’s that joined us and all of the employees that were able to share in the… Continue

So on my way to work this morning, I decided to stop by the McDonald's drive-thru in order to enjoy one of their famous DIET COKES... I don't know what it is about McDonald's Diet Cokes, but they are AWESOME. Anyway, I pulled into the drive-thru, completely expecting a line (because there is always a line) and waited on my turn to order. Two minutes later, I drove up to the little speaker, completely expecting an hourly employee on the other end to blandly and unenergetically repeat "what can I… Continue

So it is no secret to many of you that I grew up in the FOH. Making guests happy was like hitting the button on a fryer and waiting for them to automatically lift, it was just easy and natural. Now I grew up in the business with a high priority on cash flow whether it be for my next big purchase….car….. or maybe a keg of beer. The most important things to me were in order of importance:

1. What time do I have to work?
2. What time do I think I will get cut?
3. How much money will I make and wil… Continue