TJ Palmer's connections

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TJ Palmer's Page

Profile Information

Title: Founder

Company: Applebee's

Which Restaurant Segment best describes my company: Casual

Years in the Industry: 18 years with Applebee's from forming the concept and bring it to reality. Worked in every aspect of the company except building the unit. This was my partners responsibility.

Comment Wall (18 comments)

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At 2:50pm on March 27, 2008, Allen Hardage said…: Hi TJ just wanted to meet the locals. I have a great deal of respect for your work by the way. Have an awesome day.

At 7:22am on March 25, 2008, Non-OperatorMark Michelson said…: Hi TJ,
Welcome to FohBoh - as an Atlanta area member, you may want to join the Atlanta Food Network group on FohBoh. It's where we share tips and opinions on restaurants and share news on upcoming events in Atlanta.
Here's a link to join the group:
http://www.fohboh.com/group/atlantafoodnetwork
Cheers,
Mark

BTW: I met you during via Ron Marks during the study we did for Up The Creek, I was the moderator. How's the concept going?

At 11:02pm on March 22, 2008, Merrili Jones said…: Hi TJ,

I am totally WOWED reading your comments!! I agree with you that management needs to set a great example for their team and get their hands dirty along with everyone! My first management job which was an hourly position. The General Manager was giving me some tips and one thing she ALWAYS reminded me of was that your crew will respect you if they see you working along with then and getting your hands dirty too not just giving orders.

I would LOVE the opportunity to meet Julia sometime, she seems awesome!!

Have a pleasant day and thank you for your time TJ.

Sincerely, Merrili

At 2:46pm on March 19, 2008, Andrea Case said…: It is great to hear from you. So many changes in my life and really trying to enjoy it for a change. I just joined this site myself so I am getting used to it day by day. It seems to be a great means for networking and communicating as well as reconnecting with old friends. Look forward to hearing back from you.
andrea

At 1:31pm on March 19, 2008, Matt Urdan said…: TJ, your insight is wonderful and a breath of fresh air. I actually worked for Thomas and King, Applebee's Franchise for a year in Columbus before I left restaurants to live the dream and pursue one of my great passions--whitewater rafting. I now work for the largest whitewater rafting company in the world, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, based in Bryson City, NC.

I have to say that I did have some awesome support from district managers and regional managers in my restaurant career. Thomas and King have some of the best and brightest--and many of them are on this site. Dan Hawkins, Paul Caricioli, Andy Swingley, Steve Weis, Doug Davis---and the corporate team at TandK as well led by the training department and Amanda Hite. They got it, still get it, and make a difference every single day in the lives of their people.

Since you're retired, anytime you want to head north from Atlanta and get on one of our rivers, you let me know and I'll personally make sure you and your guests have a wonderful time. We operate on 9 rivers now: The Nantahala, Ocoee, Chattooga, Cheoah, Nolichucky, French Broad, and Pigeon; plus with our new partnership with North American River Runners, the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia.

It's an honor to have a chance to discuss restaurants with you--even if you don't believe you're a celebrity, you're one of the great leaders in the history of the restaurant industry.

Cheers!

At 12:59pm on March 19, 2008, Daryle T Davidson said…: Welcome!

At 12:19pm on March 19, 2008, TJ Palmer said…: Thanks for such a great welcome! No I'm not a celeb. After all, my "X" thinks he did Applebee's all by his lonesome. Are you all in the Atlanta area? I got so many nice welcomes it would take hours to answer them all. I don't even know if you will see this message and no I don't know my way around the site. What in the world made some of you start this site????
I am retired now and just sit home and do the stock market thing. No I don't have anything to do with Applebee's anymore except collect my checks. I am so glad IHOP bought the company. Those stupid talking Apple commercials were embarassing. The new ones with the voice from "SEX AND THE CITY" are wonderful. The Best commercial Applebee's has ever had! Short, simple, to the point...really classy.....finally!
And what do you think of Julia Stewart. They past her over for a promotion so she quit and bought the company!!!! She is fantastic! I hope she has changed the food as well. Even though I get to eat for free, It has been more than a year since I have been in one. The last visit was so horrible that I haven't gotten over it yet. I took a friend with me since I am allowed to receive food for two. As soon as I got home I had a nasty voice mail from the X- Bill- stating that it wasn't his responsibility to feed me and my friends. The people were great at the store though. I observed two district managers there just standing around. They were supposed to be there to help this manager because he was new. They didn't lift a finger. This is the way it is though. Unless you start your own thing and have to work your tail off, employees don't know what to do. They just hang out and collect that check. How many of you out there actually have District managers that bust their butt for you??? How many of them thank you for your hard work? How many of them thank you for just showing up for work?? This is the part I hated. All upper management think they are doing you a big favor for allowing you to work with a company. They just don't get it. An Employee can burn food, throw it on the table, spill drinks on people, be rude, and drive customers right out the door. I have always believed that we owe everything to the people that spend part of their lives with a company. They are the company.
Well enough of my soap box. I'd love to hear some stories from you.
TJ

At 11:17am on March 19, 2008, Ryan Mapes said…: TJ! What else you got in the works? Anything exciting?

At 11:55pm on March 18, 2008, Christopher Condy said…: Welcome TJ, As a member of the board of directors of FohBoh I would like to thank you for joining. Would love your thoughts on our social network and how you would develop it further. Chris

At 11:29pm on March 18, 2008, Kristen Siqueiros said…: Welcome to the network TJ! My name is Kristen and I work for T&K Applebee's. I just read all about you last night on your website. It is so awesome that you've joined!! If you need any assistance getting around, then I would be more than happy to help you. I look forward to interacting with you in some great discussions! Have a great day and enjoy!