I admit it. I come from a family of Olympic junkies. We enjoy the pomp of the opening ceremony and tear up as medals are bestowed. We stay up way too late throughout the games, so that by the time they end, we’re looking forward to sleep even as we grapple with the loss of a nightly pastime.
We’re not alone in our Olympic addiction. According to reports, NBC officials expected about 200 million people to tune into their broadcasts from Vancouver, British Columbia, and vicariously share the highs and the lows intrinsic in the games.
Certainly, we all love the Olympic victors, which is why they end up on boxes of Wheaties or shuttling off to Disney World. But even more I think we love that the winners are plucked from among the everyday folks who have fought their way to the top of their fields and persevered. Their stories are filled with sacrifice, dedication and, sometimes, insurmountable odds. But always they reveal an indomitable spirit, unafraid of hard work, commitment or defeat—themes any businessperson can relate to and that we are eager to showcase in Nation’s Restaurant News.
To that point, in this issue we introduce another new feature for our Community section, a regularly occurring profile of a notable industry member. First up is Carin Stutz, senior vice president of strategic operations, global and domestic for Brinker International Inc., parent of Chili’s Grill & Bar, Maggiano’s Little Italy and On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina chains. An industry veteran, Stutz never hesitates to put on her no-slip shoes and work in the restaurants from which she emerged. She says her parents dispensed the best advice she ever received: Never use the word “can’t.”
Winning strategies involving innovative technologies are center stage in this issue’s special report, which offers up effective programs implemented at Wow Bao, Blue C Sushi and Jose Andres’ fine-dining restaurant The Bazaar. In addition, in this issue’s Operations section we unveil the results of a proprietary survey undertaken with RSR Research that looks into operators’ motivations for pursuing initiatives in the race to be green.
Also in the Marketing section we examine some mature chains that are trying to mount comebacks. Among them are Sizzler, Shakey’s and Houlhan’s, all of which are repositioning themselves to better compete with younger concepts.
In Business Intel we look at efforts by the fledgling Umami Burger chain to distance itself from the growing pack of “better-burger” purveyors. We also delve into best practices for winning deals in a real estate market that favors restaurateurs even more than it did last year.
As always, the stories found in the pages of NRN complement but do not mirror the breaking news items found at
So, as we settle into the final days of the 21st Winter Olympics, let’s cheer on the more than 2,600 athletes who give their best to their chosen endeavor, no matter the obstacles. And even when the torch is out, may it ignite in us the will to complete our own Olympian tasks.
