MUFSO may have passed, but the words of wisdom shared at the show still reverberate in the minds of the attendees. Here are some memorable quotes heard over the course of the three-day conference:



“To create the future of our dreams requires rigidity and vision tied to flexibility and 
execution.”


— Ron Shaich, founder and executive chairman of Panera Bread Co. and winner of the 2011 Pioneer Award


“Nothing plays out in the short term in the restaurant industry.”


— Ron Shaich


“Growth and success are not the same thing.”


— Glenn Kaufman, managing member of D Cubed Group, a private market investment firm


“I listen to my customers, but not too much.”


— Jason Boso, founder of Twisted Root Burger Co., a 2011 Hot Concepts! Award winner


“We are living today in the age of disruption. The only way to stand out from the crowd is to stand for something special. ... Embrace one-of-a-kind ideas in a world of me-too thinking.”


— Bill Taylor, author of “Practically Radical: Not-So-Crazy Ways to Transform Your Company, Shake Up Your Industry, and 
Challenge Yourself”


“Nobody alone is as smart as everybody 
together.”


— Bill Taylor


“You have the opportunity to be that first boss to hundreds of thousands of people; never take that responsibility lightly.”


— Don Fox, chief executive of Firehouse Subs, as he thanked his early bosses 
while accepting the 2011 Operator of the Year Award 


“Throw the impossible out to the team; set the bar so high as to almost be impossible.”


— Sally Smith, president and chief
 executive of Buffalo Wild Wings


“Use ‘funnel vision’ versus tunnel vision. You have to look at all the ideas from your customers and employees, but then use your brand strategy as a funnel and focus on just one or two.”


— Sally Smith


“Sometimes innovation is doing the basics again in a new way.”


— Kerry Kramp, president and chief
 executive of Sizzler USA


“LTOs are both good and bad; they can build sales, but they don’t do anything for the brand.”


— Scott Bergren, chief executive of Pizza Hut U.S. and Yum! Innovation


“A new flavor is not innovation — it’s an improvement.”


— Scott Bergren


And likely a favorite for all of those in
 attendance:


“The key for your industry is more sex.”


— Guy Kawasaki, co-founder of Alltop.com and author of “Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions”



Contact Robin Lee Allen at robinlee.allen@penton.com.