07/11/06 Mom and Pop Establishments

It always brings a smile to my face when I see a bevy of pickups parked at a mom and pop restaurant in small town America. In the era of Olive Gardens, Red Robin and Starbucks I find it refreshing that a piece of our dining heritage, the diner still survives in and in many cases thrives throughout the rural Northwest. According to Joe Erickson, editor of Restaurantowner.com the number one reason a small restaurants can remain competitive is the relationship they have with their customers. Like Norm on Cheers, we really do want everyone to know our name. John Foley a writer on The Restaurant Blog councils that frequent menu changes keep customers coming back and one family operation keeps cards as reminders to honor special occasions, without customer prompting. Rural Mom and Pop restaurants can compete with the large chains if they stay aggressive and remember "life would not be like a box of chocolates" if our only dining options were large chains. .