I had been the area manager for a group of restaurants for about five years, having been promoted through the ranks from having been a waiter as a summer job. The restaurants were pretty basic family establishments, you would know the sort where you would take your mum and dad at the weekend for an inexpensive meal.
As the area manager I had to make sure the five restaurants in my charge made as much profit as possible for the company, we did this with promotions and special deals and by motivating the staff. My boss was always telling me how important it was to ensure the staff were always keen and with a young crew this often meant prizes and bar money which they could use after hours if they performed well.
One site however was not doing well... Their profits were down and so I had to get them turned around. I had visited the restaurant and sat in the mangers office with Sharon the manager. She had been promoted also and was a rising star in the company, and at twenty-two with long brunette hair and an enviable body she was somewhat popular. However, business was business...
"Look, if you don't turn this place around and make profit there will be trouble." I laid the figures on the desk "I will give you one month."
"Okay" She paused. "So I have to do anything I can to get this place making money?"
"Yes, work your staff harder and make sure you get the best out of them."
"And you will support me with this?" She smiled coyly.
"Yes. Whatever you need to do. I am right behind you."
"Okay." She smiled. "Leave it with me."
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The amazing thing was that, a month later I had the figures in front of me again and Sharon's restaurant was now the top performing. I picked up the phone and called her up.
"Sharon... I don't know what you did... But wow... Your figures are great." I paused. "I would like to come and thank your staff. After hours, of course, we can have a little celebration with them."
I had no inkling what was going to happen, but it started to become clear when I arrived at the restaurant and walked in through the kitchen. Something on the staff notice board caught my eye, it was a large charge with profit figures on, but then a promised 'dinner' with the manager and the area manager. This was all normal, however what worried me was the line 'if we meet the targets, bring a spare uniform with you'.
The restaurant was closing for the night and the kitchen was being cleaned down. I saw Sharon, she smiled and walked over to me.
'Are you ready for a treat?' She pushed through into the dining room. The staff had cleared most of the tables and there was a large tarpaulin on the floor with a single table set in the middle of it.
"What the hell is going on?" I whispered.
"Dinner is on you Simon, literally." She paused. "Well on both of us."
"What?" I felt the anger rising.
"Shhh!" She smiled. "Look I brought you a major profit, just play along..."
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