I guess the highest form of flattery is when your former competitor invites you to speak to a room full of his franchisees, and you piss him off. That’s exactly what happened yesterday here inNashville.

Short of a seven year old fawning over the prize in a Happy Meal, not too many people go to McDonald’s because they serve the “best” hamburgers.

I take my kids to school each morning, but about three times a week I head to the gym before work. Immediately after my workout, I walk across the parking lot to Publix and grab a granny smith apple to eat on my way home.

About sixteen years ago my friend Hank’s wife Robin, their daughter Heather and I were flying up to Lake Michigan to meet him for a sailing vacation. Robin, who at the time, was a frequent flyer, had us meet up at Park & Fly, an off-airport parking facility she frequented.

It surprises me a single car in America is sold.

Last week we had an overwhelming response to my Cater or Die webinar. We had two special guests, Frank D’Antona and Kyle Agha. These two members joined, just as I was starting publication of my newsletter, The Restaurant & Catering Power Marketing Letter; now into its 9^th year.

Forget New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are for wimps. Real men, and women, set goals.

This year I was fortunate enough to share Christmas with my girlfriend Denise and her family, and have her share Jewish Christmas with me Christmas night.

A few weeks ago, I called the restaurant I formerly owned and operated to order a few smoked turkey breasts for Thanksgiving. Just about everyone in my family is a white meat fan. With heading out to Mexico the day after Thanksgiving, I opted to let someone else cook the turkey.

Not many people know I was born in Paris, France. My father was recruited by a U.S. company to move to Memphis for a job. At the ripe old age of two and a half, I came to this country. One of the first families my parents met had a son my age named Stephen. Stephen and I went to the same school through nursery school, elementary school, high school and college. In fact, it took us both five years to graduate from Memphis State.