You can count on very few things in our world today. Sure, if a politician is speaking you know they’re lying; if trump has any secret intel you know the Russians have it, and if Taylor Swift attends a Kansas City Chiefs game you know the television audience will double. But what about things that we encounter daily? Case in point: Restaurants.
Perhaps if you are dropping a thousand dollars at a Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France, you can count on a memorable dining experience but even they dropped down to two Michelin stars, (although we lovers of hot dogs think a kosher Vienna should have 3 stars). But finding a consistently good restaurant locally is a challenge. We recently went for breakfast at a local family owned diner that just opened in Oregon. The pancakes were wonderful, the fresh butter delicious, the coffee and service were perfect. We immediately told our family about it and went back the next week. We experienced the exact opposite. The toast was burned, the eggs overcooked, the butter a pasty, yellow mess, the pancakes just ok, a 5 minute gap between the first two and second two meals being served and it took 3 trips to the kitchen for our server to get everything we ordered.
At least with fast food chains like Denny’s, McDonald’s and Arby’s you can count on consistently bad meals. Not good, but consistent with no surprises. So if you are opening a restaurant or any publicly focused business first strive for consistency so if you need to improve you will have a baseline to make good decisions.
Side Note: Judging McDonald’s and Arby’s food as bad is my opinion. The “Eat This, Not That” newsletter says McDonald’s Filet of Fish sandwich is the healthiest of the unhealthy lot. And thanks to the social media site INSTAGRAM, I have learned that slutty girls lacking self-esteem and wearing skimpy underwear enjoy Arby’s Roast Beef sandwiches.
I may have to try them again and see what all the hoopla is about!