Issue 8, Summer 1999
In this Issue:
TGI Fridays Honors Briad
Briad Opens Manchester Courtyard
Briad Keeps Building
Blines: Border Obsession
Wendy's News
Box Score
Spotlight: Andrew Halper
Managers on the Move

Contributors and Editorial Staff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Observations from the President
The great American humorist, Will Rogers, once said, "a company is known by the people it keeps." I am proud that employee retention — keeping our people — is one of the things Briad does best, particularly in light of today's labor crunch. The unemployment rate continues to be historically low — less than two percent.

A recent survey from the National Restaurant Association (NRA) indicated that 40 percent of all smaller restaurateurs see labor as their most pressing problem. Speaking at the NRA's annual show in Chicago in May, Herman Cain, the NRA's outgoing chief executive said, "Over the long term, we have to do a better job of taking care of the people we've got" (Nation's Restaurant News, June 7, 1999).

To take even better care of our people, Briad has formed a committee of key operators — Jeff Kellen, Mike Dell'Angelo, Andrew Halper, Dave Cahill, Elena Kurza, myself and other support people from Human Resources — to evaluate employee benefits and retention on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to provide enhanced benefits while balancing costs. We've recently broadened our health insurance plan to offer more options for our employees. In addition, we have implemented a voluntary long-term disability and life insurance program for those that qualify. These enhancements enable Briad to show our commitment to our employees.

I get great satisfaction from working with Briad people. They know what they have to do and do it with minimal guidance. Simply put, they get the job done. I am grateful to be surrounded by such dedicated professionals, and I am proud that Briad is a company that can be known by the people it keeps.

Worth the Wait!

Briad's first On The Border Mexican Cafe opened on June 7 in Hicksville, Long Island. (See the B-Lines column in this newsletter for details on this brand new and very special addition to The Briad Group.)
Pictured at the ribbon cutting are (left to right):
Broadway Mall General Manager Nancy Gilbert; On the Border General Manager Bill Vladic; 14th District Assemblyman Marc Herbst; Briad VP, General Counsel and Director of Development Ron Ladell; Broadway Mall Marketing Director Tricia Clarke-Robbins; Franchise Operations Director, Brinker International Mike Grady; Broadway Mall Marketing Assistant Yolanda Coveney; and Briad VP Operations, Casual Dining Jeff Kellen.

FORE! A Good Cause

Mark Your Calendar. . .


The Briad Group will host its first annual charity golf outing on September 29, 1999 at the Black Bear Golf Course in north Jersey. All funds raised will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network and the Dave Thomas Foundation for the National Adoption Center.
For more information call Jenny Basis at 973-822-0099 ext. 135.