Recession:

“let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933

The Federal Reserve cut interest rate by 75 basis points, Starbucks is selling coffee for $1.00, Apple I-pod sales in December were slow, consumer debt is increasing, disposable income is receding and restaurant chains are shuttering under performing units. Yes, we are in a recession.

The recession isn’t the problem however, how you think about recession is the problem.

Recessions are opportunities to clear the chafe, prune the branches, scrub the decks, enough of the business clichés. Focus on what your customer wants. Once you determined those wants, structure your restaurant to provide them. The rest will take care of itself even during a recession!