Despite challenging economic times, restaurant operators must demonstrate care and concern for their employees, said former McDonald’s franchisee Steve Bigari. Almost three years ago, Bigari, a Colorado Springs, Colo., resident, sold 11 of his McDonald’s franchisees to McDonald’s Corp., and the 12th to his operations manager. That freed Bigari to focus on the nonprofit, microlending organization he started, America’s Family.America’s Family helps businesses assist struggling employees, just as Bigari did for his McDonald’s crew members and still does for the workers in his latest venture, the eatertainment concept Mr. Bigg’s Family Fun Center. He opened his third Mr. Bigg’s this year in Littleton, Colo. Helping his employees buy cars, get out of debt, find child care and meet other personal needs ultimately helped him prosper in his own business, Bigari said.
How can operators find the time and money to help their employees?
They don’t need to become an expert on every program, and they don’t have to become caseworkers. But they do need to get involved and learn about what’s available in their community. There is almost no issue that employees deal with that there isn’t someone in the public or private sector already doing what you need done.
For example?
An employee says he can’t come in to work because his car won’t start. In Colorado Springs, there are three nonprofit agencies that will fix a car for free. United Way offers a telephone service: Dial 211, and you can get information on agencies and organizations in your area.
Don’t restaurant operators and managers have enough to deal with besides worrying about the well-being of their employees?
That’s one reason I wrote [my] book, [“The Box You Got”]—to teach people why they should be doing this. It’s highly profitable. My turnover went from nearly 300 percent to 74 percent when I left McDonald’s, and that improved my EBITDA by 3 percent. I made more money and was able to sell. I would not have been able to do that if I had not been helping others. It’s ironic.