The Search Begins

Bugs and I found out yesterday that our store is, most likely, going to be closing. We have seen this coming for quite some time now. Our store is located in a lower income neighborhood and it has the lowest sales out of all of the stores in our district. We don't deliver, which would boost sales tremendously, we stopped giving out coupons, the owners are cheap, and now they want to stop having the lunch buffet!!!!

I'm going to back track a little. Bugs was able to win 4 awards last year for the highest sales growth in a quarter, manager of the quarter, highest net profit of the quarter Red Roof, and highest sales growth of a Red Roof. Red Roof stores are stores that don't deliver, they have dine-in or carry out only. We were doing fantastic. Bugs and I, together were the first managers to receive bonuses in that particular store, ever! We were in turn, taking part of our bonuses and giving back to our employees by having Christmas parties, birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving potlucks, etc.

We had some really good times. I, personally, was the manager on duty, each time we passed our bi-annual, CER. The, CER is, the companies inspection to make sure that we are maintaining, quality, cleanliness, and customer service within our store. We also made the 90-90-90 Club each time I was the manager on duty. The 90-90-90 Club, is basically the same as the CER, I received, 100-100-95! We have also maintained an A on our health score for our store on every inspection, thus far. So, we have made improvements and we have taken care of our store.


Back to the present. With fuel costs, food costs, cost of living in general skyrocketing, our sales have plummeted. We, Bugs, and I, do the best we can to keep the store running. We cut labor to the point where we have lost good employees because they could no longer afford to work for us. I, personally have lost income and have suffered as well. My last bonus, which was several months ago was, 15 dollars, how pathetic is that!

We have honestly given it our best shot. I guess our best wasn't good enough. We can't fix this broken place, God knows, we have tried. We have to move on.

I have learned so much. I, am thankful, to Bugs, he has taught me so much about being a manager. I still have so much to learn. I would like to continue in management elsewhere. I pray that the right doors open up for both, Bugs and I.

I will miss everyone that we work with. We have all been through a lot together, it's as if, we are family. Well, some of us are! ha! My husband, my son, brother, and I all work together.

I have to put together an excellent resume', not be afraid and move forward. I know that God will open new and better doors for us.

Who ever reads this, please pray for us. Pray that the Lord will lead us where He wants for us to be.