April 1, 2001, around 8:00 PM
That's when Regan was born just down the street at Durham Regional Hospital (now Duke Regional). It was a Sunday. It was also End of the Month.
In our business there are some important tasks that must occur at the end of the month and before the next month begins. When I first decided to pursue being an owner, month-end was actually a significant deterrent. My birthday and Kaylyn's are both on the first of a month. Same time Month-End occurs. And back then, the amount of work at month end was significantly more time consuming due to the lack of technology back then. A few of those tasks do still remain today, though. One of those tasks is counting inventory. These days, you'll see Tebo counting inventory the morning of the last day of the month. Back then, I was the one doing inventory, and most of the Month End process.
I don't know why I hadn't done inventory on that Saturday but I hadn't. So, it's Sunday night, the next day we'd be opening and it would be too late to get an accurate inventory to calculate food cost for March's P&L. So, it still needed to be done.
Around midnight, the nurses took Regan to the nursery to do whatever they do with newborns. It had been a long day. At the hospital all day, experiencing her birth was incredible and draining. And inventory still needed to be done...
My parents had come up when they heard we were heading to the hospital that morning. So, at midnight, my dad and I headed up to the store to count all the inventory. I don't remember how long it took. I just remember being up at the store in the middle of the night, counting boxes, because I was the owner and if I didn't do it, it wouldn't get done.
When you own something you are the one that must ensure it is taken care of. Truett would remind operators all the time, "If it's got to be, it's up to me."
If you want opportunities, you've got to own them. "If it's got to be, it's up to me."
P.S.- There is a part II to this story. What about leadership? Delegation? Why was I the only one that could/would do inventory? Great questions. I was a good "owner" but still learning to lead.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Friday, January 4, 2019
The Early Bird Gets The Opportunity
15 minutes early is on time, On time is late, Late is fired.
When I hear that line I think of Jerwaan Lloyd. He was one of our managers when we opened and I still see him come in periodically as guest. He would say this often. And, its a good lesson. But, there is more. Why should I show up early?
1) It shows respect to others. When you are late, you disrespect everybody that is wasting their time waiting on you. You lose influence when you are late.
2) It gives you options. Hopefully you read about my Honda Accord. If I had been planning on being on time, I would have been late. Things happen. Traffic, car problems, you forget something. If you are early, you have options when these surprises come up. And, remember, #1. It doesn't matter why you are late. It's always disrespectful and wastes other people's time.
3) It gives you opportunities. They may be small but sometimes they may become big. As a team member, I learned that the time I'd have for a break was highly variable. I might not even get a break if we were busy. By showing up early, I had the choice of eating before my shift or at least getting a request in for a break before others arrived. First come, first serve. But, it also accumulates into bigger opportunities. Because my managers could count on me to be there they gave me more opportunities. Those opportunities added up to CFA giving me the opportunity to be an operator. If I had only been as reliable as the average team member back then, I would have only gotten the same opportunities they got. Not much. Reminds me of Dave Ramsey's line "live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later."
4) It lowers your stress. Being late, especially to work, creates stress. It distracts you. It's hard to show up late and perform well once you are there. Life and work have enough stress already. Why add to it by being late. That's an unforced error and its hard to win when you beat yourself.
5) It's kind of like waking up earlier than others. The Early Bird Gets the Worm. By showing up to work early, I was able to get some stuff done before my shift officially began. As a leader, this is even more critical. I preferred at least 30 minutes of prep time as a leader before the team needed me to assume my position that shift. I found that by being early, the rest of my day would go well.
6) Personal discipline overflows into other areas of your life. If you can have the discipline to get to work early you probably will have the discipline to do other important tasks. If you can't even show up on time why would you expect somebody to trust you with something more complex/meaningful.
P.S. You could also say "showing up ready to work" is just as important. Early but unready is just as useless. Guys, if you can't be trusted to shave before showing up at CFA, do you really think you'll be trusted with more meaningful opportunities? I hate shaving as much as anybody but come on. It's not hard. Brush your teeth, shave and put on deodorant if you are coming to CFA today... It's not difficult...
When I hear that line I think of Jerwaan Lloyd. He was one of our managers when we opened and I still see him come in periodically as guest. He would say this often. And, its a good lesson. But, there is more. Why should I show up early?
1) It shows respect to others. When you are late, you disrespect everybody that is wasting their time waiting on you. You lose influence when you are late.
2) It gives you options. Hopefully you read about my Honda Accord. If I had been planning on being on time, I would have been late. Things happen. Traffic, car problems, you forget something. If you are early, you have options when these surprises come up. And, remember, #1. It doesn't matter why you are late. It's always disrespectful and wastes other people's time.
3) It gives you opportunities. They may be small but sometimes they may become big. As a team member, I learned that the time I'd have for a break was highly variable. I might not even get a break if we were busy. By showing up early, I had the choice of eating before my shift or at least getting a request in for a break before others arrived. First come, first serve. But, it also accumulates into bigger opportunities. Because my managers could count on me to be there they gave me more opportunities. Those opportunities added up to CFA giving me the opportunity to be an operator. If I had only been as reliable as the average team member back then, I would have only gotten the same opportunities they got. Not much. Reminds me of Dave Ramsey's line "live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later."
4) It lowers your stress. Being late, especially to work, creates stress. It distracts you. It's hard to show up late and perform well once you are there. Life and work have enough stress already. Why add to it by being late. That's an unforced error and its hard to win when you beat yourself.
5) It's kind of like waking up earlier than others. The Early Bird Gets the Worm. By showing up to work early, I was able to get some stuff done before my shift officially began. As a leader, this is even more critical. I preferred at least 30 minutes of prep time as a leader before the team needed me to assume my position that shift. I found that by being early, the rest of my day would go well.
6) Personal discipline overflows into other areas of your life. If you can have the discipline to get to work early you probably will have the discipline to do other important tasks. If you can't even show up on time why would you expect somebody to trust you with something more complex/meaningful.
P.S. You could also say "showing up ready to work" is just as important. Early but unready is just as useless. Guys, if you can't be trusted to shave before showing up at CFA, do you really think you'll be trusted with more meaningful opportunities? I hate shaving as much as anybody but come on. It's not hard. Brush your teeth, shave and put on deodorant if you are coming to CFA today... It's not difficult...
Thursday, January 3, 2019
My Honda Accord
Back around 1996 I got a used Honda Accord. I loved it. Quick, sporty, great fuel mileage, sunroof... But then one morning on the way to work, it stopped. I was still a couple miles from the mall I was working at and I was the opening manager. I was the only one with keys that would be showing up that morning. No cell phones back then. I'm quickly doing the math. How long will it take me to walk to the store?? I was going to need to run. Fortunately, I was wearing "street clothes" which meant my uniform wasn't going to get sweaty during the run BUT it meant I had to run with a duffel bag. The good news. I had time. Whatever my schedule said, I always planned to get to CFA at least 20-30 minutes early. Quite a few reasons for this but on this day the only reason that mattered was it gave me options so I could still get to work and open the store on time even though my car wasn't going to make it with me.
I wish I could say I ran to work up hill in the snow with no shoes and in 40 MPH wind but the truth is right as I began the trek from my car to the store a guy stopped and offered me a ride. This was 25 years ago, I was a fairly fit guy and I sized up the person offering me the ride and made the calculated risk that the offer was a good option. (Do not try this at home). The benefit of the ride was that I still made it to the mall before the rest of our team was scheduled to arrive and I had time to focus on my responsibility to get the store open even though my car didn't get there with me
When people ask how I got the opportunity to become a CFA operator, this is how. Back then, leadership wasn't a word we used much. The business was much smaller. Much simpler. Operators did much of what our leadership team now does. But, the foundation of leadership of others is leadership of your self. I led myself well. I ensured I always showed up. That's critical. The most talented player on a team has no value when they don't show up. The value is only realized on the field, in the game. The second part is I did what I agreed to do. Say it, Do it. Its certainly easier said than done but its often the simple difference between those that accomplish their goals and those that don't. Show up and do what you agreed to do.
When CFA offered me the opportunity to own a CFA location it wasn't because I was the smartest. I wasn't dumb but there were lots more intelligent than me. Not because I was the most talented. I wasn't unskilled but there were lots with more talent than me. Not because I was the friendliest. Ya'll know me... It was because they trusted me to Show Up and Do What I Said I Would Do. And, that's still true. At the end of all this, leadership adds capacity but opportunity begins with showing up and doing what you said you would do.
This is so easy to talk about but in real life it can be difficult. Over 6 years as a team member, I was late twice (no more than 10 minutes total) and I missed 1 day (mom made me call out because I had stayed home from school). There were plenty of excuses that I could have used BUT I am confident that if I had used the excuses most people use I wouldn't have been given the opportunity that few people get. Track records open and close doors. Excuses only close doors.
How did I get the opportunity to own a CFA? I showed up. Every day. I did what I said. Every day. You can choose to do this as well. You don't need some crazy talent or award winning smile. The people that have those often call out. Just show up and you'll pass most of the competition. Then, do what you committed to and you'll pass the rest of the competition. Very few people show up every day AND do what they committed to every day.
Say it, Do it.
I wish I could say I ran to work up hill in the snow with no shoes and in 40 MPH wind but the truth is right as I began the trek from my car to the store a guy stopped and offered me a ride. This was 25 years ago, I was a fairly fit guy and I sized up the person offering me the ride and made the calculated risk that the offer was a good option. (Do not try this at home). The benefit of the ride was that I still made it to the mall before the rest of our team was scheduled to arrive and I had time to focus on my responsibility to get the store open even though my car didn't get there with me
When people ask how I got the opportunity to become a CFA operator, this is how. Back then, leadership wasn't a word we used much. The business was much smaller. Much simpler. Operators did much of what our leadership team now does. But, the foundation of leadership of others is leadership of your self. I led myself well. I ensured I always showed up. That's critical. The most talented player on a team has no value when they don't show up. The value is only realized on the field, in the game. The second part is I did what I agreed to do. Say it, Do it. Its certainly easier said than done but its often the simple difference between those that accomplish their goals and those that don't. Show up and do what you agreed to do.
When CFA offered me the opportunity to own a CFA location it wasn't because I was the smartest. I wasn't dumb but there were lots more intelligent than me. Not because I was the most talented. I wasn't unskilled but there were lots with more talent than me. Not because I was the friendliest. Ya'll know me... It was because they trusted me to Show Up and Do What I Said I Would Do. And, that's still true. At the end of all this, leadership adds capacity but opportunity begins with showing up and doing what you said you would do.
This is so easy to talk about but in real life it can be difficult. Over 6 years as a team member, I was late twice (no more than 10 minutes total) and I missed 1 day (mom made me call out because I had stayed home from school). There were plenty of excuses that I could have used BUT I am confident that if I had used the excuses most people use I wouldn't have been given the opportunity that few people get. Track records open and close doors. Excuses only close doors.
How did I get the opportunity to own a CFA? I showed up. Every day. I did what I said. Every day. You can choose to do this as well. You don't need some crazy talent or award winning smile. The people that have those often call out. Just show up and you'll pass most of the competition. Then, do what you committed to and you'll pass the rest of the competition. Very few people show up every day AND do what they committed to every day.
Say it, Do it.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Yes....
About a week ago I did a story about how often I've said NO to what should be a YES. This is a similar story.
I do a planning day every month and one of the benefits of this day is time to reflect on my roles and identify what I'm doing well and what I'm not doing well. This particular planning day I realized that I had a tendency to respond with no or a delayed yes when my girls would ask if we could do something. Maybe its kick the soccer ball or play a board game... I didn't like this trend. I didn't like the message it sent to my girls so I decided that going forward my default answer would be "YES, lets go". This is the answer unless I can't. And "I can't" must be a real "I can't". Not an "I can't" that's really a "I don't want to" or "I'd rather not" or "maybe" or "later". I want them to expect the answer to be YES when they ask me to do something with them.
This can be applied at CFA as well. What do I tend to say NO to? What do I give delayed yes's to? What needs to change? What needs immediate Yes's?
It turns out that by deciding what you will say YES to up front, you are also deciding what you will say NO to. Every YES also has a NO. If we decide up front what gets YES and what gets NO, we are more likely to say YES to the best things and NO to the "just good" things.
I do a planning day every month and one of the benefits of this day is time to reflect on my roles and identify what I'm doing well and what I'm not doing well. This particular planning day I realized that I had a tendency to respond with no or a delayed yes when my girls would ask if we could do something. Maybe its kick the soccer ball or play a board game... I didn't like this trend. I didn't like the message it sent to my girls so I decided that going forward my default answer would be "YES, lets go". This is the answer unless I can't. And "I can't" must be a real "I can't". Not an "I can't" that's really a "I don't want to" or "I'd rather not" or "maybe" or "later". I want them to expect the answer to be YES when they ask me to do something with them.
This can be applied at CFA as well. What do I tend to say NO to? What do I give delayed yes's to? What needs to change? What needs immediate Yes's?
It turns out that by deciding what you will say YES to up front, you are also deciding what you will say NO to. Every YES also has a NO. If we decide up front what gets YES and what gets NO, we are more likely to say YES to the best things and NO to the "just good" things.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Dec 31...
365 days ago my family was getting ready to host the Stepp family for New Years. Setting up a fryer to make wings and onion rings. Reheating some CFA trays. Sooo much food!
2017 was a good year. Sales over $7 million. CEMS and profits high. 2nd Highest Average Wage in the state. Family was doing well. It was a good year.
2018 was a big question mark. We knew 3 new competitors were coming. We knew a remodel was coming. We were beginning the idea of more "owners" in the store. 2018 was shaping up to be a year with quite a few challenges. And it turned out to have even more than we expected. 2 12" snow storms. 2 Hurricanes. Remodel got stretched about an extra week.
Today, my family is getting ready to host the Stepp family for New Years. Setting up a fryer to make wings and onion rings. Reheating some CFA trays. Sooo much food!
2018 was a good year. Sales almost broke even with 2017 even though we had a 5 week remodel, 2 12" snow storms, 2 Hurricanes and 3 competitors open up. It was a good year. Lots of stories. Stories of growth.
2019 is coming. A new chapter in each of our stories. Right now its a blank sheet. What are you going to include in your story this year? What are you going to cut out of your story? What are you going to add to your story?
365 days from now, Lord willing, my family will be getting ready to host the Stepp family for New Years. Setting up a fryer to make wings and onion rings. Reheating some CFA trays. Sooo much food!
2019 is going to be a good year!
2017 was a good year. Sales over $7 million. CEMS and profits high. 2nd Highest Average Wage in the state. Family was doing well. It was a good year.
2018 was a big question mark. We knew 3 new competitors were coming. We knew a remodel was coming. We were beginning the idea of more "owners" in the store. 2018 was shaping up to be a year with quite a few challenges. And it turned out to have even more than we expected. 2 12" snow storms. 2 Hurricanes. Remodel got stretched about an extra week.
Today, my family is getting ready to host the Stepp family for New Years. Setting up a fryer to make wings and onion rings. Reheating some CFA trays. Sooo much food!
2018 was a good year. Sales almost broke even with 2017 even though we had a 5 week remodel, 2 12" snow storms, 2 Hurricanes and 3 competitors open up. It was a good year. Lots of stories. Stories of growth.
2019 is coming. A new chapter in each of our stories. Right now its a blank sheet. What are you going to include in your story this year? What are you going to cut out of your story? What are you going to add to your story?
365 days from now, Lord willing, my family will be getting ready to host the Stepp family for New Years. Setting up a fryer to make wings and onion rings. Reheating some CFA trays. Sooo much food!
2019 is going to be a good year!
Friday, December 28, 2018
No, No, No...
When I was about 7 years old I remember balling as my parents took me to registration. I didn't want to go. I really didn't want to go. And, I don't think the next year was much better. But, the years after that got better and eventually I'd go to registration without crying. I probably even started to look forward to it. That second year, I discovered I was actually pretty good at it. IT was baseball. IT became a significant part of my life, hours of fun, opened opportunities, life lessons...
When I was 17, some classmates of mine thought I should go on a date with a girl I'd never met. I said NO over and over again but they were relentless. Finally, I agreed to go on a date with Kaylyn. We got married 6 years later and nobody has had a more significant impact on my life since then.
A few months later, still 17, a baseball coach came to one of my high school games and offered me the opportunity to start all 4 years on the ball team at his college. Oglethorpe University. I had applied at probably 6-7 universities and was planning to attend University of Georgia and try to walk on the baseball team at the time I talked to Coach Meyer. There was only ONE university that I had said I didn't want to attend during this college selection process. Oglethorpe University. It was small and very "academic". I wanted a big school to blend in at. You could see the campus from the train we'd take into Atlanta for Braves Games. When we'd pass OU, I'd often comment, "I'll never go there". I wasn't balling but I certainly wasn't looking forward to the college life at OU but I was thankful to be able to play 4 more years of baseball. And, OU became a significant part of my life, bridging baseball and CFA as the key activities in my life.
When I was 21, I was still trying to figure out what I was going to do after college. I had thought through jobs such as accounting, marketing, psychology, coaching, teaching... None seemed to fit. Some of my peers kept mentioning CFA as a career. No, no, no... I didn't want a career in fast food. In fact, I'd even begun looking for part time work to replace CFA while in college. While looking for other jobs at a career fair I came upon a booth for CFA. I hadn't thought about working at the corporate office and it suddenly seemed like a decent option. As I inquired about that role CFA said NO but they asked if I'd be interested in owning a location. No, no, no. But my peers kept nudging me and I realized that I could do every one of those roles I mentioned above while in the role of CFA Operator. Obviously, that decision has had a significant impact on my life.
When I was 23, CFA asked me if I'd like to become the owner of Memorial Drive FSR. I had been an interim manager at that location for a few months and knew it had minimal potential. We were dead last in the chain in sales for FSRs and profit was negative every year. I was making $30k as the manager and that's what I would expect to make as the owner, plus I'd then have to pay 100% of my social security tax. A 7% cut in take-home pay. I didn't want to be tied down to that store so I said NO. CFA asked again and I said NO again. Then they told me they would work with me to relocate IF I took Memorial Drive and generated a good track record. So, I finally said YES. Without that YES at Memorial Drive, Roxboro Rd wouldn't have happened for me.
Around this time of my life I began to notice a trend and I began to wise up. Just about everything that's had a positive impact in my life started with me saying NO. And, it's funny. Many, if not most, of the things I wanted to say YES to initially, were things that were in the way of the better things.
Another common thread is that God was using those around me. They were persistent. Sometimes it was the same person but often it was multiple people separately nudging me. God will use whoever and whatever he needs to answer our prayers and stear us if we just listen.
When I hear myself say NO to something, I then begin asking myself if this is one of those NO's that needs to become a YES. Even 20 years later I still find myself going down the NO path when I should be more open minded.
What have you been saying NO to? What opportunities feel like NO's right now? What has God placed in front of you that you are saying NO to?
When I was 17, some classmates of mine thought I should go on a date with a girl I'd never met. I said NO over and over again but they were relentless. Finally, I agreed to go on a date with Kaylyn. We got married 6 years later and nobody has had a more significant impact on my life since then.
A few months later, still 17, a baseball coach came to one of my high school games and offered me the opportunity to start all 4 years on the ball team at his college. Oglethorpe University. I had applied at probably 6-7 universities and was planning to attend University of Georgia and try to walk on the baseball team at the time I talked to Coach Meyer. There was only ONE university that I had said I didn't want to attend during this college selection process. Oglethorpe University. It was small and very "academic". I wanted a big school to blend in at. You could see the campus from the train we'd take into Atlanta for Braves Games. When we'd pass OU, I'd often comment, "I'll never go there". I wasn't balling but I certainly wasn't looking forward to the college life at OU but I was thankful to be able to play 4 more years of baseball. And, OU became a significant part of my life, bridging baseball and CFA as the key activities in my life.
When I was 21, I was still trying to figure out what I was going to do after college. I had thought through jobs such as accounting, marketing, psychology, coaching, teaching... None seemed to fit. Some of my peers kept mentioning CFA as a career. No, no, no... I didn't want a career in fast food. In fact, I'd even begun looking for part time work to replace CFA while in college. While looking for other jobs at a career fair I came upon a booth for CFA. I hadn't thought about working at the corporate office and it suddenly seemed like a decent option. As I inquired about that role CFA said NO but they asked if I'd be interested in owning a location. No, no, no. But my peers kept nudging me and I realized that I could do every one of those roles I mentioned above while in the role of CFA Operator. Obviously, that decision has had a significant impact on my life.
When I was 23, CFA asked me if I'd like to become the owner of Memorial Drive FSR. I had been an interim manager at that location for a few months and knew it had minimal potential. We were dead last in the chain in sales for FSRs and profit was negative every year. I was making $30k as the manager and that's what I would expect to make as the owner, plus I'd then have to pay 100% of my social security tax. A 7% cut in take-home pay. I didn't want to be tied down to that store so I said NO. CFA asked again and I said NO again. Then they told me they would work with me to relocate IF I took Memorial Drive and generated a good track record. So, I finally said YES. Without that YES at Memorial Drive, Roxboro Rd wouldn't have happened for me.
Around this time of my life I began to notice a trend and I began to wise up. Just about everything that's had a positive impact in my life started with me saying NO. And, it's funny. Many, if not most, of the things I wanted to say YES to initially, were things that were in the way of the better things.
Another common thread is that God was using those around me. They were persistent. Sometimes it was the same person but often it was multiple people separately nudging me. God will use whoever and whatever he needs to answer our prayers and stear us if we just listen.
When I hear myself say NO to something, I then begin asking myself if this is one of those NO's that needs to become a YES. Even 20 years later I still find myself going down the NO path when I should be more open minded.
What have you been saying NO to? What opportunities feel like NO's right now? What has God placed in front of you that you are saying NO to?
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Puzzled - Part III
Working on Puzzle number 3 this winter. This one is Niagara Falls. See a theme? I like puzzles of places we've been. I was born a couple miles from Niagara Falls and my first home was a small cottage on the Niagara River, just upstream from the falls (now there are bazzilion $$ mansions there and I think the cottage is a guest house, or servant's house). My mom would ride me on her bike to the falls and back. I was 2 when we moved to Nebraska so my childhood "memories" of Buffalo and Niagara Falls are limited to the pictures my parents have.
But, we've taken our family up there a couple times and enjoy the splendor of the falls as well as the tasty food up there. Buffalo Wings!!! They really did start up there and a place called Anchor Bar and Grill is accepted to be the original home of the wings. BUT a place called Duffs has the best wings. Mmmmmm!!! But, that's not it. Anderson's Frozen Custard and Ted's Hot Dogs. These places have been around at least 50 years and there is a reason.
Anyway, Riley and I were doing the puzzle last night. She got it started and then I jumped in. After a while, she was done. And so was I. Puzzles are fun BUT after you've been working on the same puzzle for a while, you need a break. Sometimes you just can't find the piece you are looking for. Or, your eyes need a break. When you come back to it later, its easy to jump back in and often that piece you couldn't find is right there, in front of you. You just needed a break. You needed to step away for a moment. Maybe 15 minutes. Maybe 2 hours. Maybe a day.
Life can be the same. Lot's of puzzles being put together. Kid's school and sports schedules. Work. church stuff. family stuff. If you just keep on working on those puzzles without a break, you will get worn out. Your eyes will hurt. Your head will hurt. Your back will hurt. And you'll probably experience quite a bit of frustration.
Often stepping a way can help you be a more effective "puzzle assembler". Ideally, you plan ahead and schedule moments to step away. 15 minutes during the day. 2 hours. 1/2 a day. A full day. A week. Stepping away can be critical to your effectiveness. Even if it's stepping away from something that is leisurely and fun.
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