I'm miserable. I work 100+ a week, and average 20 miles a day walking. I don't see my family very often and when I do I am utterly worthless. There are no days off.
This week: 10 hour Monday. 24 hours on Tuesday (with a 5 hour break). 8 hours on Wednesday. 14 on Thursday. 18 on Friday. 16 Saturday. closing in on 8 hours already today with quite a few more left.
Having two stores is one of the biggest problems. Actually...it would be ok if I could hire more quality people, but the city is about to bust its restaurant bubble because we have doubled the number of places open since before Katrina. 1400 + restaurants now. Talent pool is very thin. Restaurant workers can't afford most parts of town now either. Thanks gentrification.
My original store needs to close. I am losing my butt over there now that we opened at the brewery only a mile away. Sure...sales are killer at brewery but I cannot run less than 40% labor at magazine, and that doesn't even factor in my salary or the other two guys helping with pit. (btw: sales are down 30% at home store since we opened at brewery)
$1600 or more for wood a month.
Ugh...just needed to vent. It isn't always so rosie as I often sound like here.
but.....
my brisket is better than ever. Went lower & slower and OMFG...unreal. Would put them heads up with anybody in the country. Maybe that sounds egotistical, but I know they are tremendous. So i have that going for me.
:/