I Just Don't Understand Papa John, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, etc.

[dballance]

Lots of CEOs have said they'll be doing their best to integrate the Affordable Care Act into their business. They haven't whined about how it's going to put them out of business.

They've obviously looked at the current situation and realized in light of stupidity like Papa John's, Applebees, Red Lobster, etc. being dumb enough to come out and admit they'd rather cut the working hours of people making minimum wage rather than offer them health care for a mere 14 cents more per cardboard-like pizza is not a wise business decision. Especially since so many of their customers are people making minimum wage now and a trip to one of their restaurants is probably a treat.

People probably also realize that if those workers don't have health care or sick days then they're coming to work and serving them food they may have infected with whatever illness they have when they work while they're sick because they need the money. Well, DUH!

I have quarters floating around in my car's console that have been there for months. I bet most of the people who order from Pappa John's or go to Red Lobster do too. So 14 cents is not going to stop me from going to an establishment. Of course now, Papa John's is off my list.

When someone goes to an establishment like Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse or Applebees they know they're not going to McDonalds and they know they're going to pay more for their dinner. It's highly likely they're also going to have an alcoholic drink or two which are marked up so ridiculously I could buy a whole bottle of vodka or two for what I'd pay for a couple of drinks. So we know it costs more and still make the decision to patronize these places.

You're damned stupid to not just raise your prices to cover the cost of health care and keep your mouth shut otherwise. It's unlikely most of your customers would notice and you wouldn't have to lower your earnings forecasts because people think you're an asshole and stop patronizing your establishments.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. I think it's just the bully mentality at work.

They think they can intimidate the public the same way they try to intimidate their employees.

And they're gonna wonder how come their employees have suddenly gotten organizing-fever.

[DJ13]

2. Its a symptom of the 'Wall Street Disease'

Every expense must be pared down to the lowest possible cost in order to maximize profits, creating huge bonuses for the executives.

Thats why wages have declined since the late 70's, thats why millions of Americans have lost jobs to Chinese workers.

The employees arent humans, they are an unwanted expense that cuts into the bonuses the executives expect.

[dballance]

6. You are absolutly Right

Employees are no longer humans that work hard, give the brand a positive image and help the business make a profit. They are a greedy, commodity expense that must be minimized.

[customerserviceguy]

3. Serve shitty food at starvation wage-generating pricing?

Ok, seriously, the so-called hospitality industry tries to cut corners every way it possibly can. It employs the most undocumented workforce (after agriculture) and constantly tries to minimize labor costs on the bottom line.

You contrast Red Lobster and Applebees with Micky D's, but there's only a very small step between the two. I always patronize either one-of-a-kind family-owned restaurants, or the smaller regional chains that usually treat their staff better, and it comes out in the meal experience. Just last week, I was in the Pacific Northwest, and my lady and I twice patronized Burgerville, USA, which provides health care coverage for its workers. No, they don't have a "value menu", but their food tastes way better than that.

[dballance]

7. You are so right.

I agree with you about there is only a small step between Red Lobster and Micky D's. I can buy better quality sea food in my local, yes local, grocer that I could ever get at Red Lobster.

Red Lobster, Applebees - they both just half a step above a fast-food chain and I'm being very loose and complimentary in that assessment.

[customerserviceguy]

8. Thanks

All big chains operate the same way, it's better that we avoid them.

[RussBLib]

4. can we get a list of the assholiest of employers??

Papa John (yuk!)
Applebees
Olive Garden
Longhorn Steakhouse? (I hadn't heard about them)

any others?

I'd be quite happy to patronize businesses that take better care of their employees.

Needless to say, we frequent Costco and avoid Wal-Mart and Sam's like the plague.

[bongbong]

5. It's just an excuse for poor management

X% of any profession are, by statistical definition, mediocre or worse in ability. X is usually around 85 or 90. That includes managers.

Incompetents have to blame their inadequate management skills on something. It's never their fault!