Restaurant and Food Service Blog

I am at the 2008 MUFSO Conference in Washington, DC.  Last night was the kick off cocktail reception that featured many of the great local restaurants in the area. With the wonderful backdrop of the Potomac River and the great food, all we needed were some of the top level brass from some of the companies to show up.  There were a few of the usual suspects that showed up, but the general consensus was about the current state of the economy.

Many of the most tenured executives confided in me that they may have to look at massive cuts in employees, if they have not already.  Moreover, many told me that they were really unsure how long this may take for us to get out of.  If months were not thrown around, some even talked in years.

One this is certain. Everyone is cutting back. It is not just the folks at home who are worrying about making ends meet, but also large corporations. Hey even AIG cut back it annual meeting at the Ritz Carlton at the Half Moon Bay in California just last week!

Hard pressed to find good helping hands these days? Not bothered that these helping hands may not be human?

Then you may want to try hiring the same workers as used by the owners of the Japanese tavern Kayabukiya.

The local hangout just north of Tokyo employs a pair of Japanese monkeys called Yat-chan and Fuku-chan to serve their customers.

The younger of the two, Fuku-chan, usually begins the first shift and is quick to hand out customers a hot towel to help them clean their hands before they order their first drinks.

Fuku-chan, who is four, has only two years experience under his furry belt and his work load is limited to hot towels.

Both monkeys are well appreciated by customers who tip them with boiled soya-beans to enjoy during their down time

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