Sometimes trends evolve and other times they shift abruptly. President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, ruptured food, fashion, and home decorating trends in the 1960s when they moved into the White House. Americans looked to the young and trendy first family as a beacon for taste, setting off a love affair for all things French, including chefs, cooking gadgets, actors, and fashion designers.

Fifty years later America’s newest first family seems destined to have the same kind of cultural impact on Americans’ tastes, even as we stagger through an economic crisis. This time, however, it’s middle-class African-American culture (sorry France) in the spotlight, introducing new influences in a way popular hip-hop icons and sports figures never could.

The Obamas are expanding black family definitions beyond Bill Cosby’s Huxtables and Tyler Perry’s Madea Simmons with real-world examples and lessons.

The Seismic Shift

The potential for influence is not lost on the first lady, who already has put healthy eating at the top of her agenda. In the first few months of this year, Michelle Obama staged several visits in soup kitchens, and even the White House kitchen, to highlight healthful and tasty fruit and vegetable dishes made with fresh, local produce. But quick-service restaurants have no need to fear. Michelle Obama is a real person, not a sitcom or movie character, and she takes her staff to the popular Five Guys Burgers & Fries to indulge in some of her favorite foods.
This spotlight won’t stop with the White House, which is simply staging the coming-out party for middle-class African-American culture. Expect to continue to see a growing number of black representatives, role models, and advocates beyond the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, and LeBron James in mainstream magazines, talk shows, news features, entertainment, and, yes, the food industry.

Each spokesman will paint a picture for America in varying shades of black. And companies that have an active role in this movement will not only benefit from the consumer segment they support but from a broad cross-section of Americans who know the time has come.

Does anyone have suggestions on the best method for cleaning the grills of my charbroiler? The grills in my kitchen are pretty ugly and could use a good cleaning. I'm afraid that once the oxidation begins to come off I may not find much iron left :) Also, how often should the grills be replaced? Can any experts in this area chime in?

What is your policy for discounted food for employees?

Different for FOH/BOH?

What about employees coming in to eat when they are off?

Do you do more for your managers?

This question is for all you who have stores which (for the most part) run themselves.  Im trying to help a friend put together a P&L for a business plan and this question came up:

What is your labor cost as a percentage of sales?