53 and unemployed

[ezbtr]

get better!! One reason we moved to TX 2 yrs ago, LOTS more affordable than N. CA.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Sam you hang in there my man. I am Bladder Cancer free exactly 8 years this past November. When you get that Doc's arm around your shoulder when the test results are in you know it's not going to be a good day. It sure makes getting dumped from a job not the big problem you thought it was a day before.

I learned early that when management is given the cost cutting scenario from the top the easiest way is to simply reduce the workforce. Generally employee costs are 30%. That was easy, just layoff 20% and dole the work out to the 80% that is left. That 80% isn't exactly correct. I have always said 20% of the work force does 100% of the work. I'm sure many experienced folks here will agree. Did I say experienced? I meant to say "old."

Joe. maybe it's time to open a small diner. If you can put some of the food you make on a plate I know folks will pay for it, I'm positive they will pay for it. Nothing big, maybe dine in for around 20 patrons and the big $$ comes from pick up and take out. Food delivery to homes is getting huge today. I have several nieces and nephews that all work good paying full time careers and some have kids under 8 years old. Not a single one of them can boil water let alone make a decent meal. 80% of the meals they have are in restaurants, home delivery or take out. This is the chance Joe to do what I know you love to do, cook and better yet get paid to do it. When I took my very early pension at 45 I went into the restaurant business with a cousin of mine that was ready to retire. I enjoyed it immensely because I was doing something I loved to do. Time flew by. My wife would call and ask if I was coming home, I looked at the time and I had 10 hours in before I knew it. The toughest part was setting standards and making the crew maintain those standards, the same as what you have been doing for years. When I taught ISO when it came out I always asked the crews "Who makes the worse burgers?" McDonalds was generally the response. "who sells the most in the world?" Yep McDonalds. Why for heavens sake? Simple, whether you go into one in Tokyo or Tulsa it will all be exactly the same down to the number of sesame seeds on a bun. Exactly the same. Standards are set and they are all exactly maintained. PM me and we can talk if you wish.

 

[redneck joe]

I agree with the way of the (lack of) home cooking. Truly amazing the amount of money people spend on food out and the crap quality of most of it.

As far as the restaurant, a few things.

My friends are telling me the same and / or my brother has an old Matco tool truck to do a food truck. Hell couple years back the wife and I seriously considered buying a pizza place in small town Cowan TN, with living quarters upstairs. Several factors there why not.

One thing I learned over the course of my seven months off is that my hobbies, to which I include my cooking, are meant as a mind distracting hobby. I do beef jerky. I take old wood windows and insert sheet metal for magnetic boards or pain some wood and put in a clock mechanism, or chalkboard paint or... I've gotten into live endge furniture. Wine bottles cut to make wind chimes. etc, etc. I've always given them away to friends and family, but during my time off it became a (very small) revenue producing venture (see threezeroeights.com which I never really set up completely). The take away is that when they become work, not the distraction from work, they cease to be nearly as much fun.

If i were to do something like a food joint, it would be a dive. Basic burgers (done correctly), dogs, taco bar maybe, pizza, but nothing to elaborate and a couple pool tables, darts and a few beers. The most fun I have cooking is when the 'cool kids' come over and we all sit around hooting at each other while eating.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I'm glad to hear you have considered opening a "Dive" a clean dive. I know a few that went the way of the food truck, not a single one lasted more than 3 years. Around here the cost the municipalties charge for permits and parking on the streets is rediculous. Where you are may be different. Even when they parked on private property they were getting gouged by the property owners. I could go on for hours about the things that the Food Truck guys and gals came across to put them out of business.

People that say one should never turn a hobby into a business are full of it. I'm not talking about opening a bricks and mortar store in a high end Mall like a friend of a friend did even after I did a profit loss calculation for her business selling miniatures, Doll Houses and the stuff that goes in them. She lasted 2 months and lost every penny she had plus her Fathers. You have more hobbies them most Joe and I know everything you make are of the best quality. Do a profit/loss calculation for what you might be making. After all is said and done even though you are paid for your wares you may be breaking even, maybe. When you are only breaking even that is a "hobby".

I hop you all the best Joe. Are you still job hunting, I may have missed that. edit: The Pizza business is the highest return on investment in the restaurant gig. The big dough$$$ is in not in the dough it's what goes on the dough. Veggie only Pizza's are getting huge. If you have to buy meat toppings from Sysco you can actually lose $$ on a 10 buck Pizza. Learn to make your own.

Johnny D/Selkirk Ontario, Canada.

 

[redneck joe]

Well,I quit that job. Https most toxic client I've ever worked for.