Some news through the grapevine.

Well, the eviction was scrapped. It was in part that I told them there was just no way I could even think about returning. I would like to, but have to focus on my current project. The other reason they were concerned about was the potential backlash from the community. Evicting a poor fat mama Bertha with 4 mouths to feed. They didn't even mention Cletus which was hilarious. If they had no kids, it would have been an easy decision had I said yes, I was told. I was happy to hear that.

They said he is running the restaurant and bar "okay", it's just that things have went downhill a bit. It's a very fancy establishment with an immense amount of work and money invested. I was told that since the board (landlord) won't buy Cletus new drinking glasses and plates, he threw an absolute fit! WTF?! Why in the world would a landlord be obligated to buy a tenant more glassware?! They basically told him to get bent and he bought a bunch of cheap and classless looking plastic glasses. They also said he was talking about paper plates!!! Yeah, that's good ol' Cletus for you. They also went on to say he threatened to not pay rent for a month because they haven't built him a kitchen in the upstairs of the building for his special events and catering! Ahahahaha! Now you know in-depth his magnitude of "DUH!" What a complete fucking tool.

Another thing I caught wind of was the time it takes to get food now. Apparently it takes a lot longer than before. For example; he came up with these new Panini sandwiches. Kudos to you big dog Cletus! Way to think outside your THC soaked box once in awhile. Unfortunately, he only bought 1 Panini maker, which can make 2 concurrently. Oopsie! So if the lunch rush crowd comes in, and out of all those customers, 15 want to try one of those amazing creations, ummmm, yeah, then the other 13 have to wait for the first 2, then the other 11 have to wait for another 2, and then the other 9; you get the picture. The server who I am still friends with said it's just ridiculous. When a table of 4 comes in, they joke about how only 2 of them get to try a Panini. The others don't have time on their lunch break so they are forced to order something else or not eat. L to the O to the L!!!

Also apparently he's been on a kick of firing employees. The whole time I was there, I let one go, and that's because she worked for a week and had already bounced 2 checks from her personal account to the business. Her only and last paycheck was less than 2 dollars after I deducted the NSFs. Even then, I felt terrible. She was a very nice girl, just couldn't let that pass even though she swore up and down that she'd make good on them. His only cook finally left because she absolutely hated working with him. Here's the kicker, she was his close relative. Seemingly, he pushed much of the extra work upon her and she typically worked more hours than him. Jesus Christ. What a piece of shit. She blamed it on her kid not liking the city though, I suppose to keep ties together. I remember her fondly. She was such a sweet and kind woman. More competent than him easily. Hard working, customers and fellow employees loved her, punctual, intelligent, you name it.  I can't say I'm surprised though. Not one bit.

Well now his little pork chop (Bertha) can no longer help at the restaurant so he screwed himself. He was short on servers, cooks, dishwashers, prepers, and bartenders. Hmmm, that about covers everything. Apparently he had to hire 3 of those terminated employees back. The best part, he had to ask them back and admit fault. I heard he used that he "was mad" when he made his decision and he's trying to control his temper. He has to work so much and if they only knew the amount of stress he was under they would understand. This, right here. I used to love putting managers and owners alike in their place when they would piss and moan about that shit. Well, fuck you, it's no one's fault but your own. Don't like it? Stop doing it! Period! Apparently you can't handle it and you shouldn't be in that position. Quit, sell your joint, just fuck off for even saying that. The solution is so easy that you should NEVER use that as an excuse, ever. "Oh my God. I only got 4 hours of sleep last night. Boo Hoo me." Fuck you. Become a common worker then as you don't deserve the spoils of the labor.

Ah shit, now I'm getting worked up. I've had a few Budweisers and am getting ready to hit some pubs in my current city with a few friends. I probably shouldn't start the night out mad. So I'll leave this worthless post sit as is, until the next time in another day in the life of a line cook.

Trouble abrewing for some. A new horizon for yours truly.

So I received and interesting phone call this week. It was the president of the board that owns the building that I used to co-operate our restaurant and bar out of. It seems my ex-business partner is being naughty. He wouldn't go into specifics, though said the board was going to take a vote on evicting him next week. He asked me if I'd be willing to come back and sign a new lease and operate the restaurant and bar. That they would be willing to work with me on negotiating new conditions such as term, rent rate, etc. Even though I just purchased this new place, I'm still going to go meet with the board just to see what's up. Plus, I've really missed them all. A few hours one day is no big deal. I suppose I always have the option to maybe run 2? Ha! Probably not but we'll see. I still have a little time before I take legal possession of my new joint, so why not, right?

The best part would be watching Cletus slime his way out. I would give him exactly zero dollars for the business and probably not even purchase any of his assets or inventory. He'd just be out on his ass and have to start all over. How sweet it would be. I got a comfortable buyout, enough to purchase another place and then some, and a year later he gets the boot. I'm guessing he was finally caught doing drugs or did something stupid when he was drinking. The possibilities are endless with that toolbag. Would also be eternally sweet to throw it in his pork chop wife's face too. I don't think I've ever met a more two-faced (and triple-chinned), manipulating, devil woman before. The revenge, or should I say justice, would be fantastic! More on that as time progresses.

I am planning on making a trip to scout out 1 of my 2 main competitors next weekend. The research I've done so far has proven nothing impressive. They have an immaculate building that can hold a shit ton of people, but as far as online details and the menu I happened to pilfer, I'm not overly worried. It's just basic restaurant food, nothing special. They run items as specials that I can and will have on my core menu. The owner has a 4 year degree in nutrition but no real-world restaurant or bar experience, which is a plus for me. It's been open for a few years only and I'm quite sure they have learned a lot already, but I confidently believe I will give them a good run for their money. I mean, I fully support competition. It forces a business to become more refined, focused, and educated. If not, they won't succeed.

Imagine a world with only Walmarts, well it's steering that way, but you see my point. No competition equals no consumer choice and higher prices. You buy what the fuck we say and pay how much ever we demand because you have no other options. I know, getting off topic here. Anyways, I welcome competition. What impressed the board in my last venture was when I told them after the other place went out of business and we were approached about how we'd feel if another opened up. I blatantly said, and fucking meant every word,  "I don't want people coming here because they have no other option. I want them coming here because they WANT and CHOOSE to over another." That is exactly how I still feel. I slowly became bitter and my attitude grew in hatred about the food service industry. I always strived to perform to the best of my ability though was missing the "passion" other workers possessed. Working for myself, doing what I want and believe in, seeing it succeed beyond my expectations, witnessing firsthand the smiling and laughing people have a blast on a night out at something I created is so rewarding, truly.

Alright. This is turning sappy and out of focus for the time being, so I'll end this here. I'll keep you all updated on Cletus' potential, and well deserved, doom......in another day in the life of a line cook.

Little of this, little of that.

Yup, I'm still going to bitch a little bit about Cletus. After all, he's the most significant reason I chose to leave my restaurant and bar. I offered him buyouts on 3 separate occasions, though he had absolutely no other place to go, his words. I would tell him all the things he could do with that kind of money but he was finally comfortable with his working situation. Wow, I guess I would have been too had I been leeching off another and sharing equal profits the whole time. Don't get me wrong, he and his significant other did bring this opportunity to me, but because they couldn't do it alone. He flat out told me that he wouldn't even try to do it by himself. I built a successful restaurant and bar with minimal help, though I did owe them the chance. Even before we opened, I gave them a $5,000.00 cash for a finder's fee. That was my way of saying thanks, and now we're even! But nope not to them.

Anyways, I will focus more on my new place with this post. It's nothing short of amazing. I know I bragged the last place I set up camp at, though this one is right on par, except I don't rent anything, I own it all! The sale included the property, building, and all assets. And I got it cheap, like 25% of the fair market value. The owners just want to be done with it, no if, ands, or buts. They finally closed the doors to the public last fall because they just didn't have the time or want to keep it open. They are very "well off" judging by their home(s) and vehicles. They just want to move down south and retire.

They've had several bites though no one that could pull the trigger. The owners renovated the whole building less than 10 years ago and it is absolutely beautiful. There is a main section for seating out front, a secondary overflow, and another separated area specifically for catered events and whatnot. That area also can provide bar overflow. It seats roughly 150 people altogether. Plus there is an area outside that can be easily set up for events or even just outdoor seating.

I was somewhat bitter having to leave that other cesspool, but karma is indeed accurate. I can loan 400% of what I paid for the business if I want/need to. That's an amazing cushion should I ever want to add or alter. Hell, in 3 years it would be paid for as a rental. I'm still a bit blown away at my good fortune. Also, as we were going over the financial data from years prior, this place dwarfed the old one I created. We are talking over 300% in the bar and over 200% in the restaurant. There are even significant expenses the old owners had that I can eliminate with no problem. I'm just very grateful to be given this opportunity and be rid of the scum I had to endure for a year in my last venture. Another thing I had to learn the hard way, I will never have another controlling partner. The last guy was such a scrub that I would never turn over more than 49% to anyone, and I mean anyone, so long as I still had interest.

The building also has a fully functional basement and upstairs, same as the last, and a heaven-sent elevator! I would have cut off my partner's hands for an elevator in the last place. The upstairs still needs some TLC but that will be in the future. I have so many plans for this place. The owners also signed on for 2 months as a transition phase which is so beneficial. The community adores them and it gives me a chance to get to know everyone with some help. I already have a General Manager ready to move her family whenever I get the place going, which will hopefully be in October at some point.

That's it for now, until another day in the life of a line cook.