THOUGHTS & STUFF

It all begins with an idea.

Late Night Dining - I’m with Jeremy King

Neon sign reading 'LATE NIGHT DINING' in pink and blue, mounted on brick wall outside a restaurant, with warm-lit interior visible through glass window.

April Fool’s Day - Does It Have To Be Doomsday?

A digitally illustrated image of a man with intense eyes, dark eyebrows, a mustache, and a goatee, wearing a green hooded cloak.

The Spirit of Lucky Strike, Reimagined by Thomas Straker

Restaurant window with a "Lucky Strike" sign hanging outside, featuring a glass door with yellow curtains and various signs, including a note about baked bread.

People ask me what my biggest accomplishment is?

Collection of Polaroid photos arranged on a wooden surface, each capturing various moments of people, nature, and objects, centered around a glowing square light.

How Not to Make Me Rage-Close My Inbox

A cartoon illustration of a person sitting at a desk with a laptop, overwhelmed by a flood of numerous email envelopes flying around. The desk is cluttered with stacks of papers, and there are two boxes labeled 'Email Hell' underneath the desk filled with more papers.

Gen X in Hospitality: Still Here. Still Working.

Illustration of three diverse smiling friends, with the man in front wearing sunglasses and holding a coffee mug, in a colorful abstract background.

Working from Home: The Lazy Flex

A painted poster showing a woman's head with a disturbed expression, glowing yellow eyes, and a brain with a shining light in the center. The poster has large red and yellow text that reads, "WORKING FROM HOME the Brain Eaters" and smaller white text describing crawling, slimy things terror-bent on destroying the world.

"Table 5 Had a Burger — Report It to Westminster."

A person rock climbing a steep hill while pushing a large boulder uphill.

AUGUST!!

Person relaxing on a wooden lounge chair at a beach, wearing a colorful patterned dress, with feet stretched out, overlooking the ocean with an island and pine tree in the distance, under a partly cloudy sky.

Alexa, Go Walk the Floor for Me.

A man in a white shirt and black apron leaning over a table, staring intensely at a smart speaker device in a restaurant. Other diners are sitting at tables in the background.

Leadership isn’t a pedestal, it’s a place in the crowd.

Poster with silhouettes of people walking, with text that reads 'Leadership isn't a parade. It's a place in the crowd' in bold black and orange letters.

Between Shifts

Silhouettes of group of people standing together at sunset, holding hands and embracing.

Where Did the Manager Go?

Chutes & Ladders: Why Your Next Role Should Matter More than Your Title

A Snakes and Ladders game board with colorful illustrations and a red winding snake crossing the board.

Friendly Isn’t Enough (and Neither Is a Training Badge)

Four silhouettes of people walking through a revolving door, with a background divided into blue and yellow sections.

Goals: The Real Point (And the Myth of Overnight Success)

Silhouette of a person holding a flag, standing on a mountain peak at sunset or sunrise with a large orange sun in the sky and colorful, layered landscape in the background.

The Night Isn’t Dead—But It’s on Life Support

A group of people wearing hats labeled 'MMMA' celebrating at a party, with some holding drinks and food, smiling and enjoying together.

Where Did the Night Go? A Rant in Three Courses

A man with a baseball cap that reads 'MMMA Make Midnight Matter Again' holding a martini glass at a party, with women around him drinking and dancing in the background.

Utopia, Chaos, and a Pint-Sized Margarita

A stylized illustrated portrait of a smiling man with glasses, surrounded by flames. The background depicts a busy kitchen with chefs cooking and working.

Are We Doing Everything We Can? Or Just Hoping for the Best?

People dining at an outdoor cafe in a city street during daytime with a red double-decker bus in the background

"MORE REASONS" - WHY QSR COULD BE LUXURY

Illustration of a rabbit dressed in formal clothing and a hoodie, holding a coffee cup, walking with a turtle dressed in a shirt and tie, set against a colorful, modern background.

Leading Beside, Not Above, and Why Every Team Needs a Ringo

Illustration of The Beatles performing on stage with two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer, under spotlights, with 'The Beatles' on the bass drum.

2026 Budget. The Big Surprise???

A person dressed in a black suit holding a red briefcase, with a background of colorful comic-style posters featuring various characters and slogans.

Why Are You Protecting Yourself From Conflict?