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In June we had one restaurant that had positive liquor mix for the month and that was Pleasant Hill. Barry and his crew increased their liquor mix over 0.7% with introducing our lower priced Darns and Rita’s. Congratulations on bucking the current trends that we are experiencing in the area.

On July 1st our new comp procedures for Outbackers began. There should be a poster in each restaurant describing our new comp privileges. This only affects Outbackers when they are eating outside their home restaurant. Though the percentage of comp decreased the amount that an employee can comp increased. Please make sure you are aware of the new comp policy. Please keep in mind something that will be strictly enforced is bringing a current pay stub and ID when using your benefit outside your home restaurant.

Effective July 1st, the State of California requires that there is nutritional information on each table in the restaurant. This menu has to give the nutritional values for calories, sodium, trans fat and carbs. It is important that these menu’s are on our tables and available to the customer. It is the law. Please make sure that your tables have these menus available. Thank you.

Yes, as earlier posted, it was a hot one at Ruby Hill. Our Tenth Golf Tournament went off without a hitch. I have to tell you that each Outbacker did an incredible job to make the golfer’s day a memorable one. The truth be told, there are two people that work relentlessly each and every year, for the past ten, to make this happen. Kirsten and Enrique are the reason that this tournament is so successful. The time and effort they both put into the tournament is second to none. Without the combination of Outbackers and Kirsten and Enrique we would have never been so successful.
I can’t tell you how many times one of the participants has told me, “this is the best golf tournament that I play every year”. Again, this only happens because of the commitment we all make. I want to express my sincerest thanks for our tenth tournament one that will be never forgotten and raised over $90,000 for a great cause in tough economic times.
Thank you!

Today is a “10″. Today is the day for the tenth Outback Charity Golf Tournament. It should be a lot of fun and our Outbackers are up to the task. They will be braving the elements of sun, heat, wind and Pat freaking out. I have no doubt our Outbackers will execute another flawless golf tournament.

Since 1996, Juan Villanueva has been going to work at the Outback in Campbell. First as a dishwasher and now as the Kitchen Manager. During his time there he has been part of generating over $65 million in sales for that Outback. Just the thought of it makes me “a little crazy”. How does he do it? I’m not quite sure. All I can tell you is that he has a very positive approach to his day and is always “happy”. He is committed to providing serious food to each and every customer. Finally, he works hard and is focused on his shift everyday he works. Juan, also affection ally know as Chivo, is simply one of the best.

When things get slow there is a tendency to have the level of intensity and awareness drop also. Have you ever been somewhere when you look around and it doesn’t seem to be busy yet you can’t get any service? I’m not talking about going into a place where you can flat out tell the one person that is working is working their rear end off. No, what I’m talking about is those places where there are plenty of people but they are just not interested in helping out the customer and create a positive experience. It is real easy to fall into that trap if you are not careful. Socializing instead of providing a memorable experience becomes a priority. What’s on TV becomes important than what is on the customer’s table. Going home to party becomes more important than the birthday party for the customer. In slower times we must be providing service experiences the customers talk about after they leave, are you?

Our Tenth Outback Steakhouse Charity Golf Tournament hosted by John Madden will be this Monday at Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton. It looks like it is going to be another great tournament and I know many of you will be participating in it’s success. The weather channel is syaing that it will be a quite warm day so if you are voluntteering your time please come prepared for sunshine. Thank you all for your help with the tornament and please please please don’t be late, it saves me a lot of grey hair. I guess I shouldn’t complain at least I have hair.