The Restaurant Operator – in 1946 – And now here we are, 66 years later. ($2B to $688B in sales in 66 years)

I am so deep into my documentary project, Back To Basics. I love it! It’s a wonderful project. So many stories to be told, and so many opportunities abound in the fantastic restaurant industry. Thing is, it’s BIG and getting BIGGER! Much bigger. It needs more now.

I am learning an incredible amount about the history of our industry. The explosive growth. The environmental impact of our industry. The early entrepreneurs. Ah…. the early entrepreneurs. We owe them so much. They were real pioneers.

Well, I can see clearly these days. The restaurant business offers many opportunities to anyone who chooses it as their life’s work. It’s always been that way. Full of opportunity. Check out this film from 1946 that we found. It’s fantastic in a simple most basic way.

Over the last few months, we have had some wonderful developments for this project. As you may know, we are donating the proceeds to the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s Prostart program A very important program for our future. We must invest in our youth. We must show them a path to success. We must act now as a community. That will be the only way that we can build a sustainable business.

13 Million American Workers; 688 Billion Dollars plugged into the economy. Yes, the restaurant industry is very, very important. Don’t fool yourself. It’s a BIG part of American Culture and it needs to be preserved if it is to survive.

Here is a snippet of what the film will be about:

I’d like to start by introducing you to Lorenzo Torres a young man who grew up on the streets of Dallas, TX and was yearning to capture the Great American Dream but didn’t quite know how to go about it. As we follow Lorenzo’s life we experience his struggle as he seeks and finds his inspiration from 15 of the greatest leaders this industry has to offer.

(See the prospectus Here)

We watch as he navigates the minefields of corporate america, we listen as he learns the valuable lessons of success from those who have set the industry standards and we feel his joy as he works his way towards greatness of his own.

This film is a celebration of the Restaurant industry who has had many voices carrying torches – some soft/some loud – some positive/ much negative, especially from those voices from the outside the industry. Yes, our industry has been given a bad wrap by the external media.

This is an inside story that will positively travel beyond our four walls, the definitive industry documentary – the first, first-class take – on what it takes to succeed in this business.

Through the use of preeminent restaurant professionals as engaging “storytellers” with additional historical perspectives, we will reveal a tale of affirming “life recipes” that give hope and inspiration to current and future generations of industry students, our co-workers and industry clients, leaving no doubt that no matter where you find yourself, the restaurant industry has always, and forever will be, home to great beginnings and second chances – home to the The American Dream.

Well, there are 35 people working hard on this project (all volunteers) and our community has an incredible opportunity here. These volunteers have brought the project to life and we are ready to roll cameras. The thing is, we need to be realistic about funding it properly now, if we want to do it with big hollywood resources. So we do it right. It’s only going to happen once. And although, we can ‘bootstrap it’, my guts are telling me not to do that, but in fact to rally our village for some help. The power of the group will yield us a far better result. So, consider this.

This “vision” of bringing the restaurant industry to life began as a small twinkle in my eye and knowing me as you do, you know how I can take a single idea and grow it to something great just by shear strength of will.

But strength of will alone will not get this job done, so I need your help. I have consulted a very talented Los Angeles-based director, producer and writer who produces television shows (60 Minutes), and directs non-profit documentaries and films, to take this film to the next level and make it an industry icon for the ages forward. By doing this, we have raised the project to a whole new level. One that not even I could have conceived. Yes, this is a Hollywood film now. We have access to the most professional, talented people in the world of film making. And if we are certain, we will jump on this. Anything less now, will not be putting our best foot forward.

With that opportunity, comes a team of professional film makers to get this done right. Thing is, it’s no longer a basement project. It’s going to take some money and muscle and I cannot manage it myself. I need support. So, like any leader, I am just simply asking for help. I read somewhere that great leaders do that. They ask for help when they need it.

I wish to reach out to our entire restaurant community to help me finish this film.

In the weeks to come, we are opening a bank account for donations at NRAEF, and if you are interested in making a financial contribution to this cause, you will become part of this historical project.

No donation is too small, and we will have a few key spots open for major sponsorship of the project.

Well, the thing is….. It’s big. Bigger than all of us. And to do it right, it needs support. So, to that end, I have decided to open up the opportunity to our entire community to help fund this very important project. The funding will go towards the film and all of the expenses required to produce it. All donations will be provided tax receipts through the NRAEF and funds will be earmarked for the production of Back To Basics – The future of the US restaurant industry in a global economy.

Check out the prospectus here.

In addition we will be offering a few Top Level Sponsorships for the project which will get your company the following:

*Placement in the credits of the film

*Exclusive Sponsorship of one or more marketing events leading up to the premiere

*A special invitation to a Red Carpet Industry Star Studded Private Screening to coincide with the NRA show ( 2014)

*An ad in a quarterly update to our followers, supporters and more importantly of all our CEO Storytellers.

*A special Thank You Plaque to be presented to you by one of our superstars at our premiere event

*Mention in press releases and PR campaigns

I hope you will join me on my mission to complete this project. Your donations will be managed by the NRAEF, through their 501(c)3. Also, you can reach Marla Topliff, the president of Rosati’s Pizza to learn more about the benefits of your financial support.

In conclusion, what started off as a tiny idea, has now blossomed into a wonderful hollywood opportunity and all the net proceeds of this film will be going to support Prostart in our community. Because of the size of this opportunity, I can’t do it alone. It takes a community. Please let me know if you or your company would be willing to help.

To get the ball rolling, Panera Bread, through the trust and kindness of Ron Shaich, has contributed $10,000 already and MonkeyMedia Software has contributed $5,000.

Send me a note at erle@monkeymediasoftware.com or call me at 604-831-7422 anytime if you have any questions or if you’d like more details. I hope you will consider helping us to bring this project to the finish line. Together we can achieve more.

Thanks for considering…..