MUFSO Keynote Roundup - Random Maverick Service

Random Maverick Service - We don't know if there is such a thing, or if there is, if we'd like to be subjected to it or have it associated with our business. But each one of those words does sum up the primary theme of one of our trio of MUFSO keynote speakers. Their presentations are recapped at NRN.com and accessible by CLICKING HERE.

Here are a few lines from Taleb's talk:

“The debt level tripled since 1980 in relation to GNP. And there is a problem with debt. Debt makes the system very fragile. When you borrow you can’t make a mistake. When you issue equity, you don’t have the same profitability, but you can make mistakes and in the long run, you survive. Debt is not forgiving. The other problem we have now: a complex world causes crazy things to happen, so you have to be aware that you cannot forecast in a complex world as you can in an normal world. Debt was the elephant in the room [prior to the financial meltdown] that no one at the 'Fed' saw."

Multimedia MUFSO Memories II (VIDEO)

This is the full length, higher definition version of the MUFSO Memories presentation shown on the massive multimedia wall built for MUFSO 2009 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. A much abbreviated version is found two posts below. The presentation was created by Image Zone Inc. from NRN archival issues and MUFSO videos and photos. (Give it a minute or two to load, depending on your Internet connection speed, and don't forget to hit the back button when your done to come on back..)

CLICK HERE FOR AN MTV-STYLE MUFSO RETROSPECTIVE

***Starring in the screen grab above: Joseph Fassler, then of Glacier Park Inc., the 2001 MUFSO Pioneer of the Year Award winner.

MUFSO - The Movie (VIDEO)

If the hand-cam video and purloined audio tracks posted elsewhere at this site suggest the production values of the "Blair Witch Project," then the quality of this footage capturing some of the purpose and fun of MUFSO 50 will have you thinking "Gone with the Wind." CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Change & Opportunities (AUDIO)

Nation's Restaurant News publisher Tom Larranaga, shown at left, welcomed MUFSO attendees with a reminder of what a difference a year can make, as he recounted the setbacks and doubts that besieged many in the industry in late 2008 and contrasted that period with today. In an audio excerpt of that Oct. 5 presentation that can be accessed below, Larranaga points to some of the innovative moves by operators and the opportunities inherent in change. Along the way, he speaks of some of the important changes at Nation's Restaurant News and MUFSO and previews some that are yet to come.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

MUFSO 50 Wall of Memories (VIDEO)

Using some of its earlier video work and archival Nation's Restaurant News content, Image Zone Inc. created a massive multimedia wall for MUFSO 50. During the MUFSO Golden Anniversary Celebration the wall came to life with the faces of industry leaders, innovators and favorites who attended the event during its five-decade run, not to mention the visages of some famous keynoters and entertainers.

Here is a highly abbreviated version of one run, or Wall of Memories Mini-Me. Pay attention and see how many VIPs you can spot. (We'll give you the first one: shown above on the screen grab is Leon "Pete" Harman, pioneering KFC franchisee and founder of Harman Management Corp.)

CLICK HERE to view the video

Husband Restaurateurs Say the Funniest Things (VIDEO)

MUFSO Pioneer Award recipient Richard Melman of Chicago's Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc., in accepting the award Monday night, expressed his appreciation for many people, including business associates, his late partner Jerry Orzoff and his wife, Martha. He said he was grateful for the love and support of Mrs. Melman and then told a story about himself that illustrated why, bringing a chuckle to many in the crowd. (Photo by Scott Windus)

CLICK HERE TO HEAR RICH'S TALE

"My how you've grown..." (VIDEO)

We're not talkin' about your Aunt Molly's favorite greeting, here, but about the expansion of the foodservice industry in the 50 years its luminaries have been attending the Multi Unit Foodservice Operators conference. MUFSO 2009 program co-chairman and Nation's Restaurant News publisher emeritus James Doherty summed up that progress during the MUFSO Golden Anniversary Celebration Oct. 5 at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas. The Beef Checkoff was the event's marquee sponsor, and Sweet Street Desserts and The Elliott Group were its supporting sponsors.

Join the program in progress by clicking on the following link: INDUSTRY PROGRESS RECAP

Just Slidin' By... (PHOTOS)

So far, we've put together two slide shows of MUFSO events for NRN.com: Sunday night's "A Taste of What's Hot: Hot Concepts! Celebration" and Monday evening's "MUFSO Golden Anniversary Celebration." Check them out at the links below.

SLIDE SHOW: MUFSO's Golden Anniversary Celebration
Photos by Scott Windus

SLIDE SHOW: Hot Concepts celebrated at MUFSO
Photos by Ron Ruggless

MUFSO book club

Move over, Oprah. Some of MUFSO's best and brightest have a few book suggestions of their own.

NRN editor Ellen Koteff asked three top executives about their favorite business books during the Tuesday morning general session. Here's what they had to say.

Clarence Otis, CEO of Darden Restaurants: "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap ... and Others Don't," by Jim Collins.

Doug Brooks, CEO of Brinker International: "The Five Disfunctions of a Team," by Patrick Lencioni. "You'll recognize the characters in this book," he said. "They all work for you." Brooks also gave a shout out to his mentor, the late Norman Brinker by recommending his autobiography, "On the Brink."

David Brandon, CEO of Domino's: "Given all the challenges today and regulatory attacks on our industry, I'd say the Bible is a good choice," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

-- Christi Ravneberg

Something special on the air

"Today’s Special."

That’s the message the National Restaurant Association is trying to get out.

Given the industry’s shrinking top lines and growing competition from forces like Suze Orman and Walmart encouraging people to save money by eating at home, the restaurant industry is facing “a matter of urgency,” said Michael Kaufman, the NRA’s immediate past chairman during the closing day of MUFSO.

Research shows going out to eat is part of our DNA, he noted, but while eating out was a top priority for 24 percent of survey respondents last year, that figure has fallen to 8 percent in 2009. Still, he adds, 36 percent of adults say they would like to eat out more. What they need is a nudge, he said.

To deliver that nudge, the NRA is rallying the restaurant troops to support a public relations campaign highlighting the fact that despite the doom and gloom today is actually special.

An ad set to the tune of the Rolling Stones’ song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” bids adieu to the expensive cars, houses and shopping sprees consumers once enjoyed and welcomes the return to a focus on family, friends and community. That, in fact, hope is alive and well and despite everything today is special. The tagline: “Today’s special – Enjoy it at America’s restaurants.”

The campaign will be targeted specifically at Millenials, or those ages 16 to 30, and Boomers, or those ages 35 to 64, Kaufman said. Millenials are still positive about the future, while Boomers are looking for balance and feel they deserve to go out, he said.

The campaign should tug at the heartstrings, but the NRA needs help fighting the industry’s huge new competitor: eating at home. Those who believe that Today’s Special and would like to participate should contact James Balda at jbalda@restaurant.org.

-- Robin Lee Allen

Celebration

While celebrating his Operator of the Year win last night, Jim Greco of Bruegger's Bagels, and his wife, Valerie, shared one of their favorite business -- and life -- mottos:

"As you travel through life, whatever your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole."

They said they first came across the expression at the Mayflower coffee and doughnut shops as Jim was first starting in the restaurant industry.

Jim said the saying works well with bagels, too. -- S.L.

A Legion of Honorees

More than 20 past Golden Chain and Pioneer award winners attended Monday night's Golden Anniversary Celebration for MUFSO's 50th year.

Bruegger’s Greco - Operator of the Year

James Greco, chief executive of Bruegger’s Bagels, was named Operator of the Year by Nation’s Restaurant News during the publication’s 50th annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference. Greco, shown accepting the award, was selected from among this year’s six Golden Chain award winners, which also included Chuck Fallon of Burger King, Phil Friedman of McAlister’s Deli, Jeffrey Harvey of Burgerville, Randy Kibler of Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ’n Biscuits, and Cameron Mitchell of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. (Photo by Scott Windus)

FULL STORY AT NRN.COM

Innovation - A Hot Concept Worth Celebrating (VIDEO)

NRN's "A Taste of What's Hot: Hot Concepts! Celebration" Monday night during MUFSO provided NRN editor Ellen Koteff the opportunity to ask leading operators about innovation. See what they have to say by clicking on the link below.

"PLAY ME"

NRN creates award in honor of Norman Brinker

DALLAS (Oct. 5, 2009) Nation’s Restaurant News announced Monday that it has created a new award, called The Norman, in honor of late industry legend Norman Brinker. The award will celebrate foodservice leaders who have distinguished themselves through the mentoring of tomorrow’s executives, much as Brinker did throughout his career.

The first Norman award will be given at next year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference in Orlando, Fla.

FULL STORY AT NRN.COM

Doing Social Media Right

Some restaurant chains are doing social media right, according to Kat Cole, left, of Hooters of America Inc. and Amanda Hite, founder of Talent Revolution. In a Tuesday MUFSO presentation on "New Communication Strategies: Build Your Business with Social Networks and Viral Marketing," the two offered tips for effectively using such social media as Facebook and Twitter. Creating loyalty and attracting new customers is part of the equation, and Cole (who is vice president for training and development at Hooters) cited Claim Jumper's effect on one blogger. Read the blogger's own story at itstartswith.us.

Operators at MUFSO share strategies for tough times

DALLAS (Oct. 5, 2009) A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.

That was the motto of the day Monday at Nation's Restaurant News' Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference in Dallas as keynote speakers, panelists and attendees discussed how best to optimize their businesses during these challenging times.

Read Sarah Lockyer's full daily recap at NRN.com

Reach Out and Touch Someone

William C. Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company magazine and co-author of "Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win," provided MUFSO attendees with a helpful tip for those times when they are caught in phone-mail mazes. Taylor, during his Monday presentation above, said he uses the website gethuman.com to get the secret touchpad codes to reach an actual human for customer service. He's got your number, or at least knows where to go for it.

Pumpkin Craving

MUFSO attendees today will get to sample the seasonal limited-time products from Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. of Lakewood, Colo. And it's definitely the pumpkin patch: pumpkin bagels, pumpkin cream cheese and "Pumpkin Poppers," which are a bit of pumpkin bagel iced with donut frosting. The LTOs will be available at a refreshment break. We got that scoop from the Einstein crew Sunday, from left: Steve Bailey, director of franchise development; Michelle Miller, director of franchise operations; and Kevin Kruse, vice president of franchise development.

All Fired Up!

Parking-lot pizza (in the rain) was the order of the day as MUFSO got underway. Brian Gojdics, left, and Anthony Ferrara, chefs from Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria of Seattle, Wash., stoked the wood-fired oven in the conference hotel's parking lot in preparation for the Nation's Restaurant News' Hot Concepts gala. Fire regulations did not allow for the oven inside the hotel, so Gojdics and Ferrara braved the elements to produce pie for the gala crowd. Gojdics said he was dealing not only with the elements but also the humid weather's effect on the pizza dough and the fact that the wood shipped with the oven was of a mystery source rather than Tutta Bella's usual applewood. Gojdics and Ferrara were hoping for a portable tent to arrive soon in case of heavier rains.

Golden Standard

Registrants for the 50th annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference began to gather their credentials in the atrium lobby of the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas on Sunday afternoon, the first of three days of seminars and events. The first breakout sessions, beginning at 3 p.m., were to cover such topics as maximizing profits and building operator-supplier relationships. In keeping with the Golden Anniversary of MUFSO, the theme of the conference is "The Next 50: Are You Ready?"

Dallas & MUFSO - Friends With Benefits?

MUFSO and Dallas go back a long way and the relationship has as much to do with the market's prominence within the industry and its appreciation for the restaurant business, in general, as it does with "Big D's" geographically central location. Ron Ruggless, NRN's man in Dallas and designer boots, expounds on some of the city's unique characteristics in this excerpt from the Sept. 14 MUFSO Preview special report in weekly NRN.

Click Here for the read (and a peek at the presentation available in the free weekly digital edition of NRN now provided to all subscribers)

Audio Key Thoughts From MUFSO Keynotes

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO LISTEN:

The random musings of Nassim Taleb of "The Black Swan" fame

Fast Co. magazine founding editor Bill Taylor on "Mavericks At Work"