Saturday, March 7, 2009

Chick-Fil-A

While I am not a fan of most chain and fast-food restaurants, this one is different. Whenever I go into a place I can't help but break down its business model in my mind. What does it do well...what does it do poorly? Chick-Fil-A wins my restaurant of the year award (1st annual). Let me explain:

-Chicken ONLY
-Chicken is delicious, juicy, and white. The meat is high quality breast meat
-It is not greasy and nasty like KFC...and no skin
-The breading is LIGHT. McDonald's chicken selects are heavily breaded - gross
-Sauces are awesome. The buffalo sauce is similar to what you would get at a buffalo wild wings or wingers. There are others as well
-Wraps are delicious - with lots of meat.
-The fries are way better than anywhere else. I'm not sure why, they just are.
-Free-refills on FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE. None of that syrup crap from the fountain (so nasty)
-PRICES. ARE. SO. GOOD. Jenn and I both get as much as we want for under 10 bucks.

So if you ever need to stop at a fast food restaurant or just want a low cost date AND you are lucky enough to have one nearby - GO. The price/quality ratio is freakin awesome.

Here is some bonus info for those of you who wish to help the company glorify God while you dine (the founder is southern baptist):

The company's official statement of corporate purpose says that the business exists "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."

Chicken 5:14 - Go thee wherefore and raise me up a chicken. Be a good steward over my chicken, and I will give thee many chickens. Fry them up in peanut oil herewith, and dip them in buffalo sauce. Then shall thee proclaim, "EAT MOR CHIKIN!"



PS. This is a privately owned corporation, i.e., no franchises, no stock, no nothing.

Closed Sundays.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Life is a Short Trip

It seems like just the other day I saw my dad getting exciting while watching a Jazz playoff game on a tiny, poor-reception tv. At nine, I was intrigued, so my dad taught me basketball. I quickly became obsessed with the Jazz and my new idol John Stockton. Stockton was a little white guy that was tough as nails. He was a pure competitor who gave it his all every night, no matter how tall the order. He made everyone one on his team better and was loyal to his team.

His partner Karl Malone has the 2nd most points in NBA history and was also a main part of the Jazz. The Jazz served as my main source of entertainement of my youth from ages 9-19. The games were my escape from everything else.
Last Saturday Jenn and I had the opportunity to pay respects to the man that made it all possible. Larry Miller risked everything he had to have the Jazz in Utah. He did it because he loved Utah and he wanted the Jazz to be a positive influence for people of the community. That dream was accomplished in my life and then some for 10-plus years.

So, from a little tv at age 9, to center court of the (former) Delta Center last Saturday, was a gathering that put into perspective how there are people I don't personally know, or cannot personally thank, that indirectly influence my life.

The funeral brought many other people together that have indirectly influenced my life, so it was kind of fun to see so many people together. In attendance was the Governor of Utah, Sen. Orrin Hatch, Pres. Monson, Jerry Sloan. My favorite scene was watching Karl Malone wipe his eyes while Satan (from the temple endowment movie) played "How Great Thou Art," on the piano.


It was a unique event, and I was glad we could pay tribute to someone who has done a lot for me, even though he doesn't even know it.