Steve Hoschler's


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August 12, 2008
Tuesday

USDA:  Bumper corn crop

Here's that disgusting BK bath video:
http://www.wdtn.com/global/story.asp?s=8825514

Dynaco's "Huckleberrys" opens in San Luis Obisbo

Sheep milk ice cream

re:  USF ALBANY:  "Losing Skidmore to a small independent like Quandts demonstrates that incompetence is rampant in Albany. If you look at the number of customers lost because of sales rep turnover in the past 5 years it's incredible. Fred would be smart to look at SYSCO. The only problem for SYSCO would be that if someone at US Corporate wakes up and cleans house in Albany, they may just become real competitors."
5703

There's another one found on the Lost & Found page.

August 11, 2008
HappyMonday!

Way to go, $ysco!

Tyson bows to mecca

COI files 11

re:  5697 ALBANY:  "American Heritage Dictionary: Incompetent: "Inadequate for or unsuited to a particular purpose or application." Does the definition fit your trainer? If it does, the trainer is "incompetent" for the trainer's position. It doesn't mean the trainer isn't competent as a used car salesman or brain surgeon. I would argue that the people responsible for placing the "incompetent" trainer are "incompetent" at placing talent into appropriate positions. They're also "incompetent" at hiring sales reps since they hire "used car salesmen" with no food background for sales reps. What is your division thinking when they hire "used car salesmen" for sales reps? What is your division thinking when they allow an "incompetent" person to train "used car salesmen"? It sounds like the blind leading the blind at US Albany."
5702

re:  IFH GIVING IT AWAY:  "Giving away product will sink all reps in the end. You're fighting someone else's battle while on your temporary island of pay. R will take it to you all - he's done it to everyone else before you so what makes you guys so special? Watch out for yourselves and make sure you have an exit.
B"
5701

re:  USF ALBANY:  "Dear Gib,
Don't feel bad. New York is a tough state. Don't be a stranger and send a post card every now and then. We'll miss you very much. "
5700

Happy Birthday
(Monarch Foods)
(B Franklin Foodservice, Lansdale, PA)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

August 9 & 10, 2008
The Weekend!

Former Sysco MA/Restaurateur killed in plane crash

Happy Birthday
(Hallsmith)
(Current Domestic Executive Goddess, Ex-USF, Memphis)
View the complete list on the birthday page.

There's another one found on the Lost & Found page.

Happy Birthday
(SYSCO Beverage Guru)
View the complete list on the birthday page.

McD $ up 8%

re:  5698 ALBANY:  "Losing Skidmore to a small independent like Quandts demonstrates that incompetence is rampant in Albany. If you look at the number of customers lost because of sales rep turnover in the past 5 years it's incredible. Fred would be smart to look at SYSCO. The only problem for SYSCO would be that if someone at US Corporate wakes up and cleans house in Albany, they may just become real competitors."
5699

Happy Birthday
(Bellon Sales Associates, Indianapolis)
(from yesterday)

August 7, 2008
Thursday

76 tons of ground beef recalled

Tyson chicken recall

There's another one found on the Lost & Found page.

Tomato growers seeing...red

re:  USF ALBANY:  "Since Bill Speed arrived in Albany, the conditions have been nothing less than chaotic. The last straw will be when Fred leaves for Sysco. That could happen once Speed stops writing the big checks and giving him free reign. Sysco would pay dearly for his talent but is too business smart to pay that out without some long term guarantees. Losing Skidmore to a relatively small regional may have the stage for that overdue departure of Mr Speed and his second in command, KM (aka, the dragon lady)."
5698

Nestle profits rise

August 5, 2008
Tuesday

Whole Foods = half profit

Nutjob calls 911: No sauce on my Subway

4th qtr P&G at high tide

Molson Coors 2nd Qtr needs a drink

re:  USF ALBANY:  "We all know that there is a lot of crap going on in Albany. Hell, people are leaving left and right. You certainly can't call Michelle incompetent!! OK she has no sales experience but that girl is very sharp. Maybe she should spend some time with a seasoned rep to learn what food sales is all about. I agree that the training sucks, but don't you think our division needs some sort of training? You can't take a used car salesman and have them go out and sell random chicken breast, they won't even know what that is. Having a rep in training that has street experience only enhances the program if that rep goes in with an open mind and actually tries to help the program evolve. All that said, USF Albany is certainly a work in progress!!"
5697

ADM 4th qtr bomb

August 2 & 3, 2008
The Weekend!

Meat prices to $oar

Rest. owner attempts armored truck robbery

re:  USF CLEVELAND:  "You guys need to hold your heads high. Just do your jobs, as a usf employee and a teamster we (I) know how management is.
    When you get to vote. Vote teamsters, by the way, do you know why your getting another vote? Because the company, your employer did something illegal. That should show you why the company is scared of the teamsters. Remember the teamsters aren't there for only better pay and benefits. There for making sure the company follows the contract .
    The union is only good as it's members. Next vote u get. Vote Teamsters"
5696

Happy Birthday
(Sysco, L.A.)
(Sterling Pacific Meat)
August 1st

re:  CHENEY BROTHERS/PFG FLA:  "I was Looking into PFG Florida and Cheney Brothers. I think I get the picture about PFG.
    Anyone with pros/cons of a sales position at Cheney Brothers??
    Is it a good place to work and how is their reputation on the street?
Signed
NO MORE CUBE"
5695

re:  USF ALBANY:  "Speed Dissembles,
Speed is Quick,
Gib Resembles Walking Sticks.

Watched Gib Stumble,
Saw Gib Go,
Speed Botched & Will Crumble So."
5694

re:  USF ALBANY:  "USF Albany: We all agree about the creditability of the person training our new TM's but that seems to be what separates us from the competition by giving non competent people a chance here in Albany."
5693

There's a new arrival on the Birthday Page.  Add a friend's name (or your own) and see them honored on the special day!

July 31, 2008
Thursday

Happy Birthday, my friend!
(VP of Micro-Management, DYNACO Purchasing Org.)
View the complete list on the BD page.

Steak & Ale BK filing, "related parties" document

re:  RD:  "The point I was trying to make in the beginning is that people buying these products from these warehouse are not handling the products properly and have and will put people's health in jeopardy. The pocket buddy that keeps reminding us that RD is the future really isn't too bright. They will always be there and for good reason. But if the health dept. is going to close a restaurant for not having their refers the right temp what do you think is going to happen when an unknowing owner throws down the out of temperature chicken on the counter before returning to his 100 degree car for his fresh eggs that he saved $1.25 on?
RD, Sam's, Costco, Smart & Final... they will never go away. People like alternatives. But if our trucks need three compartments to handle the product properly I think the three temps in the mini-van (hot, hotter and hottest) will cause some of these clubs business and a SMART customer will buy from someone he can trust his product being handled from door to door the right way.
I'm just sayin'... "
5692

re:  REST DEPOT:  "HEY, "HAPPY ON THIS SIDE" -
Since you love to slam everyone that is in foodservice distribution (you certainly can't include yourself in that group because you don't distribute anything except your own hatred, negativity and distain for everyone else), I am starting to sense that you are calling the kettle black - you were probably fired for lack of performance from a distributor and reverted to becoming the lowest form of WHORE in the business - giving cheap product away and taking credit for having cheap prices, when you had absolutely nothing to do with securing them. Like many have written (but you choose to ignore), if customers want to drive to RD and pick up their products, FINE, that is their prerogative.......and if they prefer to have their groceries delivered and take advantage of the services a distributor provides, THEN WHAT IS IT TO YOU? You want to slam everybody that doesn't bow down and worship the great RESTAURANT DEPOT...well, I won't be bending down to worship any entity that exists simply on the cheapest price, there is a lot more to our industry than that. Of course, you are too blind with hate (from failing wherever you used to be) to see the truth. Get a life, you pathetic loser.
Futureman"
5691

re:  5685 ALBANY:  "More people to jump ship soon. Nice idea taking experienced sales people off the road for 5 weeks in their busy season to go to a training done by someone with no sales experience. It's real productive. Whose idea was that?"
5690

Steak & Ale initial bk filing document

re:  MERCHANTS DIST:  "I am thinking about going to Merchants Dist. In LA(Lower Alabama). Does anyone have any idea how they are to work for, etc. Their main DC is in Miss. This is a strong USF, and Sysco area.
Green bean kid"
5689

re:  ONCE MORE AGAIN:  "I have spent the last two decades with foodservice broad line distribution companies. What the person posts on this site regarding RD’s (and others) is mostly true. There is a need for the services they provide because many independent operators are tired of the unfulfilled promised value added services that Sysco, US Foods and others offer. Either that or the operator’s perception is that what they are receiving does not justify the higher price. The broad liners have SO many tools they can offer but a majority of the MA’s or TSM’s are not taking the time to learn the business. They are, in fact, just taking orders. That, my friends, is the reason for the growth of the wholesale stores."
5688

re:  SYSCO SAC:  "Why is it that DSM's can e-mail their M.A.'s the fact that in order to keep their job and bonuses we need to increase the margins? Since when do we have leadership that is only concerned about themselves? We up here in the north don't appreciate it."
5687

CAL AG makes political hay with bottled water suit

July 30, 2008
Wednesday

Happy Birthday
(MarketSmart Inc., Pleasanton)
(Food House Marketing)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  MN CUBERS:  "MN Cubers
    There are plenty of MN Cubers that read this site. There has to be more than one person who can speak up about the former "little emperor" that moved to USF Albany!
    Maybe they are all busy trying to figure out the new pay program. BTW, that new "gas allowance" is money the company pulled out of your paycheck with one hand and gave back to you with the other hand to make you feel like they gave you something. Check it out! Your making less now then before the pay change."
5686

re:  USF ALBANY:  "There goes another one. Doug Pearson a TM. But no problem! We just hired a few more future ex-sales reps and future ex-DSMs to make up for it."
5685

Dunkin Donuts cuts the fat

July 29, 2008
Tuesday

1,000 more SBucks employees smell the coffee

MRG KO'd in 7

re:  ONCE MORE AGAIN:  "Once more again those little elves from ignorant land are wrong again here check this with your laptop
Heinz catsup 24 /14oz 14.00
Heinz 6/10 tomato paste 19.00
Hellmans 4/1 gal mayo 30.00
    Call your VP of merchandising and tell him to take out marketing fees and earned income and growth programs and food shows and your commision and your distribution and delivery fees and see what you can sell the above for.
    Should I go on Tyson hot wings, Oscar Mayer bacon, Nestle, Hunts, Perrier, Bertolli, Barilla yesiree your right again all junk product at out of date prices. like your lame brain corporate guys come up with Sysco Imperial label tomatoes brought to you by the same people who cook up Fronte, Arezzio, the same product different names , higher prices and you folks spend a lifetime of anguish trying to move the customers over to your label where as in the majority of cases it is the same national manufacturers making their label and yours.
    You right again get that Sysco label product sold so you get your brand kickbacks , hello wake up moron you only provide 2 distinguishing services delivery at a high cost of diesel fuel and food shows other that you are a starvin marvin trying to buck reality and for your information their customers in those so called pizzerias make up 70 % of the food service customers in the USA the independents the chains go to Sygma or other program sales co's at cost plus of which you moron get no commission .
    I guess pizzerias and hash houses use Organic products, Prime beef, USDA grade A Poultry , De Cecco pasta and other white table cloth and center of the plate products.
    You so full of s---t your eyes are brown.
    Im tired of trying to convince you that you will never make a living so long as you fail to recognize your not the only player on the field.
    Creative selling my be your only salvation so dont spend any more time on Rumors.com go make some cold calls and get out of your pajamas.
Happy on this side"
5684

Happy Birthday
(Iceland Seafood Corp.)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  MRG:  "Metromedia filed Chap 7 this morning. Closed all stores and laid all off"
5683

re: RESTAURANT DEPOT - "Yes, the same vendors who sell to USF, Sysco and other distributors have different pricing for RD, Costco and other warehouse stores.  But, from what I've seen, the people who go there are not the nicer restaurants. Mostly food court fast food and low-end pizza places. Customers who know what a DSR can do for them understand that part of their price is our commission. Most customers would rather have a truck pull up at their door, and have the order brought to them. Instead of letting their products get to room temperature while waiting to check out."
5682

re:  ALBANY 5642:  "The mini emperor fell short in more ways than one. We were relieved when he left. It was more like he was on his way out anyway. The best way to get rid of him is let him do what he does and sit back and watch without interfering. You give him enough rope and he'll hang himself."
5681

L.A. fights fat with nanny laws

July 28, 2008
HappyMonday!

There's another one found on the Lost & Found page.

Happy Birthday
(Labatt FS, San Antonio)
(International Pacific Seafoods)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

Kraft 2nd qtr. up

re:  RD:  "I love reading all the messages from the Restaurant Depot folks, defending their business….face the facts, you just go out and get the cheapest garbage you can find and give it away. If customers want to go there, fine. As long as they don’t care which manufacturer’s product they get week to week, don’t care if they serve consistent, quality food…all to “save” a few pennies, dimes and nickels. They also don’t value their own time and those that are foolish enough to buy fresh meat and other perishable items and transport them in un-refrigerated vehicles – are obviously not too concerned about getting their customers sick or getting closed down by the health dept. I know one thing for sure, I will NEVER eat at a restaurant that I know is buying perishables from R.D. My health and my children’s health is too important. You are whores that are decimating the earnings of hundreds of foodservice distributors, nothing more.
Futureman"
5680

re:  5658:  "OK MR RD HIMSELF:
    You state There are no brokers or vendors showcasing new products
    Just who are those people doing in store demos …… I though one told me they worked for Key Impact (REGIONAL BROKERAGE)"
5679

re: USF CORONA - "Maybe Corona should be run by Jon and Fred?"
5678

Tyson tank$

re:  RESTAURANT DEPOT:  "RDs and club stores are here to stay. Their pricing is better because vendors do not have to add in the cost of marketing programs, food shows, etc to the entire different price list (imagine that) they sell off of to RDs and other club stores. When are you broad liners going to wake up and do the real math. Yeah you get most of the marketing dollars you want – but it’s added on to your price list on the other end opening the way for RDs and club stores to beat you every day on the street with much better pricing. Its call greed making up for the broad liners inefficiencies to actually go out and sell and distribute products their customers want"
5677

re: MN CUBER -  "Too bad for your former Opco. How many customers jumped to the competition when they found out their new MA didn't have a clue about the accounts they were given? These newbies will be gone soon and then what will be left besides national acount business?"
5676

re:  RESTAURANT DEPOT:  "What is meant by Restaurant Depot's? I am not sure what that really means"
5675

KKR goes public

July 26 & 27, 2008
The Weekend!

There's a new arrival on the Birthday Page.  Add a friend's name (or your own) and see them honored on the special day!

re:  PFG/FLORIDA:  "Whoa No more cube and anyone else thinking about PFG Florida. That place is a MESS. 4 VP of OPs in 4 years somewhere between 5-8 Trans Managers, 4 routers in Trans in last year, 4 Presidents ( that's IF you can count Larry Eiden. 75% of drivers not there 1 years. Back stabbing and biting rampant. STAY AWAY FROM THAT SINKING SHIP. They reported a loss ob 2 million last. How about a real number closer to 10 million. STAY A AWAY...... "
5674

re:  USF CORONA'S EXCESS BAGGAGE:  "Les needs to start charging $80 for the excess baggage of having 3 useless Business Development Manager's waisting away. I'm tired of carrying their dead weight. All the DSM's are being overburdened by responsibility. So, Neil, Dave and Doug...Get off your ass and do something! Anything ! Just do ONE thing to impress the team ! Just ONE! That's all we ask.
Signed: Anxious DSM's and SalesForce."
5673

re:  SYSCO SAC:  "We are not receiving our spiff money. Berglund is arrogant to think we don't look or care about it. We are asked to get rid of product and sell sell sell with promises of up to $5.00 a case. Brett got his bonus on our back and then gets to go to Hawaii? We don't want management on the trips especially Berglund. We don't take customers why do we need him? Delmer wake up and get a VP of sales that can motivate the sales force. Berglund's favoritism and lack of compassion toward the M.A. population while we are all struggling to feed our families is weighing all of us down. The economy is bad but the morale is worse. Berglund brags about the NEW commission grid and how he is making the compensation package the best out there. Delmer we have an idea! Put Berglund out on the street with a start up route of $10,000 don't give him a Casino and then put him on MAC. Just for a test and see how he can feed his family. Oh! The difference will be that if you do that we would have a different VP and that might motivate him to leave. Leadership PLEASE!"
5672

Happy Birthday
(Clark Foodservice, 52 years in the industry, and 72 years here! ...as of 2008...)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  USF ALBANY/ROWE:  "Condolences to USF Albany.
    I'm a former MN Blue Cuber! I was helped out the door by the actions or lack of action by the short emperor!
    He pretty much gutted the sales force of experienced sales people in return for college graduates who needed less pay and something to put on their resume. The veteran sales people that stuck around are either waiting for retirement, are complacent or simply aren't bright enough to move on!
    They say that trends start on the east/west coasts and move to the midwest. This might be a midwest trend that is moving toward the coasts!
Best of Luck,
There is life after Sysco!"
5671

re:  EXPERTISE:  "by the way most of you lame brains could not explain where a strip steak comes from or how a vegetable makes it into a can so the lack of any product knowledge or so called expertise is anything but trying to figure out what price it's going to take to get the order and If your going to make the minimum drop or commission.
Happy selling Barracudas"
5670

re:  REST DEPOTS:  "Your opinions about the Rest. depots shows how much You dont know about the segment ! Do you have any idea how much volume is perpetuated by Sams Club. Costco, BJ's and others ??
    Furthermore they (RD's) do provide delivery if asked relative to the customer service like any purveyor there are isolated cases of even you broadliners having non existent customer service like some RD's locations but all in all the bottom line is growth.
    Of which you broadliners do better than anyone else is transfer DSR's from company to company hoping to steal his or her accounts after you make him or her an offer of 26 weeks salary and then a click down.
    Most F.S reps have changed companies more than twice.
    Then your company has to deal with non competes and that legal jargon , face it if Sysco could have robotic selection and automated sales your sorry butts would be unemployed and that's coming.
    Go tell the struggling dining establishment owners that he or she should not save money and gamble with non refrigerated trucks or better yet that they will miss your sorry food show specials.
    By the way as a vendor I do 3 - 6 shows for your limp marketing gurus of which the pre sales or pre bookings keep the customers at home or in their kitchens at work and do not come at all , I have witnessed this year the blue cube show where their were more company personell than customers at a cost of 7000.00 dollars from the vendor with 1 case sold at the show.
    The dynamics of food shows are for the house like the Los Vegas take. there are no winners for customers and vendors alike and further more with you dodo birds overlapping each other 's shows the smart large volume buyers can keep in special purchases for the whole year by buying from all the companies at their shows, I know of one larger volume operator who keeps his poultry and seafood prices low by switching his purchases according to his bookings at your purported sell a thons.
    You DSR morons keep hoping that the health dept will step in meanwhile there is 2-3 new RD's opening a week rumor has it that in Florida and NY the RD's eat a billion dollars worth of broadliner's volume a year calculate that commission check they write for themselves.
    And they do have monthly specials , in store promotions and the biggest service they provide is selling to you your shorts when your buyer is playing solitaire on his computer rather than improving his service level.
Regards,
Content as hell on this side"
5669

Happy Birthday
(Butterball Farms, Inc.)
(Gordon Food Service, National Accounts)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

July 25, 2008
Friday

re:  NO MORE CUBE:  "Stay away from PFG!!!
    They have just been bought, and the new owners are putting the screws to every one, I know I work for pfg and it sucks!!! Right now. Plus the pay structure is worse than USF."
5668

Congratulations to Wall Street Journal reporter Dick Gibson on his recent retirement!

re:  IFH:  "IFH Florence - Why do you want to sue two old men in the myrtle beach market? Especially after they have already served 15 months, of a 12 month work agreement. Why would you want to continue to torment their lives on and on? Are you that afraid of them?"
5667

There's another one lost on the Lost and Found page.

re:  NO MORE CUBE:  "Try PFG Florida. Larry the president is pro-sales and a good guy, plus he needs the growth. They are not the big dogs in the market, so you can shine there.
~Anon."
5666

Happy Birthday
(USF, La Mirada)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  PFG/MIKE WIEDOWER:  "For those of us who were unfortunate enough to have worked with, or around, MW we know the truth about his lack of ethics, lack of honesty, and his willingness to throw anyone under the bus if it benefits him(sometimes just for fun!!).
    I watched him for several years do just that as he fought, cheated, and maneuvered his way to an EVP slot with SYSCO. He was always competing with some guy in New Orleans who did eventually become a SYSCO President at one of the fold outs. That is when Mike started pouting and throwing his toys and threatening to leave if SYSCO did not give him a company. Problem was, and is, that Charles Cotros does not like Mike and would not put up with Mike’s crap in Cincy like he did in Albany (where Jeff Boies was there to protect little ‘ol Mikey).
    With no friends left in high places, Mike left in search of other opportunities outside of SYSCO. Because the writing was on the wall!!
    The careers and lives that Mike destroyed to further himself and his pocket book can never be recovered, all for naught, as he did not fit the SYSCO mold!
“Been Around the Block”
5665

Food industry bitten by lobbying success...

July 24, 2008
Thursday

re:  PW:  "Com'on Phil,we all know it's you posting these "bring back Phil"e-mails.Who else could it be.The sales force couldn't be more happy now that you're not running the show.Afterall,everyone knows,your only and main concern is Phil,period.It's always been that way.I think the way things are now is best for the sales force,less heavy management,more freedom to concentrate on selling,more time to earn more money.You may have pulled the wool over Dan and Saul,but the rest of the group can see right through you.Good luck on your retirement."
5664

re:  PFG FLORIDA/CHENEY BROTHERS:  "I am planning on moving to Southwest Florida in a few months. I am currently working for the "cube" up north and will NOT work for them or US FOOD. I have found the names of PFG FLORIDA and CHENEY BROTHERS. Any insight on either of these companies; the good, the bad and the ugly. Which would be better to work for in sales? I know the economy down there is tough, but that just means I have to work a little harder.
signed
NO MORE CUBE"
5663

re:  POOR LOADING PROCEDURES:  "USF Divisions South Florida are getting away (or rather potentially committing) murder with their method of loading trucks. No 3 compartment loading, frozen products for high stops thrown on the tail. The only time they do it right is during an audit.
foodfreak"
5662

re:  SYSCO CORP:  "Houston paper listed not only 1 but 3 people at Sysco Corp make over 5 mil a year. Now doesn't that make everyone that work's for Sysco feel just terrific to see what your hard work has achieved. So what if Sysco Corp has made a lot of Sysco house's cut back and lay off. Then there's the stock too. These 3 certainly do not need to worry about the stock now do they. Who checks up on these 3? They managed to get rid of those that really kept an eye out on the "Whole" of the company for everyone and not just themselves. Sorry bunch of thieves!"
5661

There's another one lost on the Lost & Found page.

July 23, 2008
Wednesday

re:  HALLSMITH:  "Yep that's right they went with No-Union, That's cause warehouse workers at hallsmith-sysco are about as stupid as stupid can get. The drivers should have gone Union without them. But all the Ass kissing Mangement did must have work, Now bend over and let sysco stick it up your scab asses."
5660

Happy Birthday
(Mgr, Rebate Accounting, USF)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  RESTAURANT DEPOT/JETRO:  " As far as the “rumor” that the health department is going to start tracking customers, I do not believe it. The health departments everywhere are overburdened and understaffed. I do not see them taking a pro-active approach to this continuing illegal practice of hauling perishable product in un-refrigerated vehicles. The reality is that the can only “react”. However, they can and will investigate filed complaints (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). The will respond to a call from a concerned citizen reporting a restaurant owner hauling perishable product in an un-refrigerated vehicle (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Got your local health departments phone number?"
5659

July 22, 2008
Tuesday

re:  RESTAURANT DEPOT:  "re: RESTAURANT DEPOT - Yes, our customers can save money, but they have to pay COD (cash, check or credit card). They have to load it all themselves. They absolutely have to worry about the temperature of perishable items. Insulated blankets go for about $150. However, there is little or no customer service. There are no brokers or vendors showcasing new products. One of my customers returned to me because it took him 30 minutes to find an employee to get something not readily accessible. Another returned because I could match most of the prices and he didn't have to lug 50# bags of flour himself. Another thing, if a restaurant owner sends an employee out to RD, Smart and Final, Gordon Marketplace, etc and he gets in a car accident or hurts himself unloading, what is that going to cost the operator in Worker's Comp and lost time?
    Meanwhile, the distributors' trucks delivers (mostly) on time. Everything is at the right temperature. The drivers are professional and know how to deliver. The DSRs comes by with vendor or broker reps to show new products or take advantage of an opportunity (special print, warewashing, new equipment). Customers know that part of their price is our commission. They rely on our expertise to solve their problems. Most feel we are worth it."
5658

Happy Birthday
(Signature Marketing)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

July 21, 2008
HappyMonday!

FDA finds salmonella in (surprise!) Mexican jalapenos...

re:  USF CORONA LAUNCH - "Sounds like Jon (and Fred?) need to reconfigure USF Corona before things get too bad. Why not use the La Mirada commission program? No program is perfect, but most of us at LM make pretty decent money. Evidently, the people in charge in Corona learned nothing from the time they spent at LM. Maybe some LM people need to move over there to get them straightened out. Mike Q might be a good one to be VP of Sales or even the Division Pres."
5657

re:  5649:  "Hi there price whore buddy,
The day will come when CNN or Fox News is going to park outside of your place and film your sorry ass helping load fresh chicken breasts into a the trunk of a car when it's 98 degrees out. Maybe one of these days one of your price whore customers will, god forbid, kill someone and it'll come back to you. It's only a matter of time. Either way, one day it'll be over for you; when it is over, maybe you can try to do a little better than take an order and fill it like any monkey can and get a real food service "sales" job. I don't think you'll make it because you sound like an order filling jack ass who would go around sellling price and that's what you'd be known for. If you want to stay ahead of this whole thing, go and get a job at a drive thru at McDonald's. This way, when we order at the drive thru and get the meal we'll get to meet each other, you moron."
5656

re: BEK/BUD/INBEV -  "I looked at the InBev website. They sell almost 100 brands of beer from all over the world. The Bud distributors will pick up new brands that will increase their account penetration (sound familiar?)."
5655

Happy Birthday
(Golbon)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  SYSCO L.A.:  "I cant agree with you on Tom being better he was a joker. I do agree with you about Phil he was much better than Jones and what we have right now I think they should bring him back or bring some one who is a full time sales VP. All our dsm cares about is there bonus and nothing else and my regional is MIA. There is no communication I do agree with you on that."
5654

re:  HALLSMITH:  "hey sysco hallsmith you really went none union? boy are u screwed.
    bend over and enjoy it."
5653

re:  BEK/BUD:  "You are correct 5632: Apparently 5636 does not remember Allaint and Lady Baltimore. Those dumb asses said the same thing up until the day they had the fire sale! In the famous words of Mr. Warner,"IF YOU ANIT WORKING FOR BEK, YOU ARE STUPID". Might ask Mr. Davis how it fells to get escorted out of the building. See your over paid ass on the street,for now!"
5652

July 19 & 20, 2008
The Weekend!

re:  WHORED OUT CHEFS:  "Any Chef Whores out there willing to descibe their relationship with their distibutor ? We all look out for each other when it comes to job-jumping and finding our next chef in accounts when they are ready to jump ship or the next opening comes along. It pays off for us distributors to find your next job. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours ! Just look the other way when the invoice comes your way !!!
Signed: Sysco SoCal Whore M.A."
5651

There's another one lost on the Lost & Found page.

re:  5639:  ""Seriously?"
Anon"
5650

re:  RESTAURANT DEPOT:  "You lame and sorry DSR's better prepare for a long hot summer after your fuel surcharges and small drop size surcharge kicks in the average rest. guy will get in his truck and save the 25% that you lamebrains charge the poor end user.
    Thats right not only are they growing in double digits (RDS) they are kicking the stuffing out of your pocketbooks , Tell your corporate gurus to look at the pad for rebates and growth programs and those god awful food shows you drain from the vendors so the end user is getting wise to your ruse.
    After all who pays for your cruises and spiffs and all of the other senseless mumbo jumbo they have a pretty strong business model ( Rest. Depot) get the best costs from suppliers, eliminate distribution center costs, no frills and chills , no food shows a fair mark up which still exposes your 25-30% mark ups over a heavily padded product and you will see why you are being devoured from the outside in it just a matter of time the 1k to 5 k drop wont be on your delivery schedule.
    I see only one way for you to earn from this unique marketing niche and that is wait till they go public and buy their stock otherwise you will be at the stinging end of their whip, take notice big boys they will eat at your margins , steal your independent food service customers and make them clients of their provocative approach.
    The whiners can fault their customers for shopping there , say they wont eat in those kind of establishments that buy from Rest. Depot but guess what if you do not have enough money to eat out now you commission drain will only permit you to eat at Mickey D's any way.
    Better look for a part time job bussing tables at those dining establishments that's all your qualified to do or better yet get a degree from Phoenix university on line you have the extra time to get a job more stable.
    I am Happy to sell Rd's they are low maintenance , professional, and are growing at a rate that your company only dreams about.
Content vendor"
5649

re:  KANEY:  "Looks like another punch to the face, this time in your home town. Are ready to throw in the towel yet? You promised a fight, yet we’re still waiting for the first punch. It’s called an ass kicking when you can’t fight back. By the way, how is the new Sysco rep you hired doing in Bakersfield?"
5648

Happy Birthday
(SYSCO Inland Empire)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  PFG/MILTONS:  "Dose any one know how pretty boy M.0. (Robin) keeps his job? All he dose is drink coffee and wink at every one.
    Try rolling up your sleeves and actually try making GOOD cold calls. (Holly Smokes Batman sales are down!!!)"
5647

re:  YOU MIGHT BE A FS VET:  "If you can remember when Kaola Gold had coconut oil in it, you might be a foodservice veteran.
    If you have ever sold a case of animal/vegetable shortening, you might be a foodservice veteran.
    If you can remember Durkee's spices, in round boxes, you might be a foodservice veteran.
    If the people who ran your company actually sold, delivered & stocked groceries themselves, you might be a foodservice veteran."
5646

re:  PHONE CALLS:  "Phone calls..I like the comment that phone calls should be returned. This is especially the case with managers who should know better. If you don't want the call, tell the guy not to call. Don't give out the B.S. that I forgot or was busy, etc. Tell the caller..."Don't call" instead of letting the person keep calling and driving himself and you nuts. Let me repeat " be professional", don't ignore a call. Tell the caller, "don't call me". That will do it, if the person keeps calling if told not to call, then the caller is indeed an a--hole indeed. So now, you have a right to tell him/her so!"
5645

Happy Birthday
(Sysco, Sacramento)
(Can Cutters, Inc.)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  "ALBANY USF:  "Lost another one...Jamie Powell. At this rate we'll turn over the entire sales force by the middle of 2009. How's that for employee retention?"
5644

re:  5635:  "I am not familiar with PFG TPC or Mike Wiedower. But you made a good point about the Gold, Silver, Bronze and low performer terms. These are not PFG terms. Those labels belong to the Cube. They are customer rankings based of profitability. So we know whoever put up the first post, bashing Mike, is a Sysco LOSER, who has an axe to grind. If your going to pretend to be from a company you should use the correct vernacular. Just because Sysco uses a term doesn't mean the rest of the foodservice industry uses it, you moron. Quit drinking the blue Kool-aid "
5643

re:  USF ALBANY/ROWE:  "Can somebody at SYSCO Minnesota tell us how you got rid of this guy? Is he nuts or just plain oblivious? Any input would be appreciated before we lose the entire sales force."
5642

McD's fined $1 million for hiring illegals

July 18, 2008
Friday

Tomatoes allegedly safe to eat...wash with FIT anyway...

re:  CB:  "Anyone at Sysco Charlotte know what happened to CB? OK guy I guess. Haven’t seen him around. Thanks"
5641

There's another one lost on the Lost & Found page.

re:  PFG/TPC:  "Dear 5623:
    Your posting tells it all! Your jealousy shows that you were passed over for a promotion or may you were buddies with the previous management that is no longer there! Mike was recruited by PFG Corporate you freaking idiot! Do you think they just randomly picked his name out of the hat or he just showed up at the door? He was fully vetted by Corporate to do the job, which is making money for the company and shareholders. I am glad to work for him because he is fair and tells it like it is! Grow a set of balls, get busy, stop whining, or you are going to be the next to go! I know exactly who you are! You will really have something to talk about!"
5640

re:  CORONA LAUNCH:  "So why was the launch so bad? I think it went pretty well considering we have a recluse as a president ( he will be gone in 60 days) a dinosaur as a vp of sales a lush as an rsm and not one ounce of creativity or ability on our dsm team. Add our stupid commission plan and what a recipe for success!"
5639

re:  PIERRE CHAPTER 11:  "Does anyone care and does it really matter? Pierre has pissed away most all of the Zartic business. I can't believe that this surprised anyone with half a brain. So I'm sure that Dean F. and Marty M. are surprised!"
5638

re:  THE MERCHANDISER:  "Mr. Merchandiser, we all know the reason you don't return phone calls......it's called jealousy, plain and simple. You give a nice 5 point presentation of why you are so bitter in your little cubicle, but reality is, without us, that sales force you so despise, you wouldn't have a job. Why is it so hard for you "salaried" types to understand that? I'll take this one step further......another reason you are stuck in that cubicle playing your little power trip is simple really....have you looked into the mirror lately? Yep, for the most part, there isn't a customer alive that would purchase anything from you if they had to look at you, plus they'd kick you out over your horrible follow-up skills. So go on living the lie. Keep on believing that your $35K a year job is secure because you are so important. Trust me on this, it isn't hard to find a person willing to do nothing, as in, not answering the phone, constantly running out of product, forgetting to order special orders, and in general, just being a sour representative of your respective company. Damn, I love you idiot merchandisers."
5637

re:  BEK/BUD:  "Nothing will happen to BEK. They will still be kicking your ass on the street like they always have!!!!!!"
5636

Happy Birthday
(V.P. Sales, Michigan Turkey Producers)
(Commellini's Italian Restaurant, Spokane)
(VP of Sales, USF/Arizona)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

July 17, 2008
Thursday

re:  PFG/TPC:  "To the person or people that are bashing Mike Wiedower I can only think that maybe you are or were one of the whining non-working, sitting on your a-- wanting to be paid for doing nothing (as you probably have done for the past several years) person. It is amazing to me that normally the only people that bash people that they work for are the ones that want everything for nothing. If you are willing to make changes and try to keep up with the industry you have to make changes sometimes popular sometimes not. We are in tough times as most are aware and cutting costs are a way of life if you want to stay in business. Personally I hope we do get rid of the dead weight as to make our company better and more money for those of us willing to work.
    I can only think if Mike is not a President at Sysco, it is most likely his choice. I also think if everyone will just chill for a little bit and give Mike a chance you will see one of the best companies ever emerge. If you are unhappy then move on. That is what is great about the country we live in.
    Hmm! You use the term gold, silver, bronze and underperformer; I am not familiar with that terminology. Did you make that up"
5635

There's another one lost on the Lost & Found page.

re:  RESTAURANT DEPOT/JETRO:  "I have heard, rumor only, that the health dept. is going to start tracking customers from RD that are throwing frozen chicken, dairy products, etc. into their 90 degree car or the back of their pick up and taking it their restaurant. There is supposed to be a loooooooooooooooooong overdue crackdown by the Health Dept. on these restaurateurs.
    Everyone on here bitches about pricing, competition, etc. but RD has cut into all of our pocket books. If our trucks need 3 temp. compartments then theirs should to. We have all seen that guy that pulls up to the back door with his bleach on top of the eggs and thought,' I don't think I'll eat here ever again!' Food distributors should not lose business or margin to these businesses that allow restaurant owners to cut corners on cost by putting the health of their customers at risk.
    We would all be better off if the Health Dept. got on this now!"
5634

Happy Birthday
(Kraft Foods)
(formerly USF Sacramento, Portland & Fife)
View the complete list on the Birthday Page.

re:  I MISS PHIL:  "I have got to say that since Phil Waring stopped running sales there is no excitement, energy, direction,communication, competition or fun in sales at Sysco LA. All you haters out there go back under your angry rocks and shut up . One thing Phil could do was bring the above to the sales process thats a fact. No one know what the F is going on around here any more. The only time we see saul is at the sales meetings, dan gives us the usual bad jokes in between golf and fishing.The RVP's all have their own agenda of which first and foremost is stabbing each other in the back to try and get the VP's job. Then we have the "Kiss Sauls Ass SENIOR DSM's" all jockeying for the next RVP job. Wake up guys there is major dysfunction here and we are going no where with no real leadership. Jesus! even Tom Jones was better than this and it is real painful to admit that."
5633

July 16, 2008
Wednesday

re:  BEK/BUD:  "How could a foreign owner screw things up?  It went fine for Ahold!"
5632

re:  PFG/TPC:  "To the person or people that are bashing Mike Wiedower I can only think that maybe you are or were one of the whining non-working, sitting on your a-- wanting to be paid for doing nothing (as you probably have done for the past several years) person. It is amazing to me that normally the only people that bash people that they work for are the ones that want everything for nothing. If you are willing to make changes and try to keep up with the industry you have to make changes sometimes popular sometimes not. We are in tough times as most are aware and cutting costs are a way of life if you want to stay in business. Personally I hope we do get rid of the dead weight as to make our company better and more money for those of us willing to work.
    I can only think if Mike is not a President at Sysco, it is most likely his choice. I also think if everyone will just chill for a little bit and give Mike a chance you will see one of the best companies ever emerge. If you are unhappy then move on. That is what is great about the country we live in.
    Hmm! You use the term gold, silver, bronze and underperformer; I am not familiar with that terminology. Did you make that up?"
5631

re:  BEK/BUD:  "What will happen to BEK after the sale of BUD? Can they stand alone as a foodservice?"
5630

re:  PFG MILTONS:  "Amen to the way this company is going. Just the few top Dogs get to eat, the rest are looking for scraps. Look out this Friday at the sales meeting. If you see P.G. talking to your DM it means you'll be running one of his deliveries to his customers he never sees. The guy just expects everyone to do his work. He doesn't even bother to help get the items off the dock. And forget about the words "Thank You", ever crossing his lips. He's too busy making a tee time."
5629

re:  re: PFG/THOMS PROESTLER:  "How does the saying go . . . . . . .only the strong survive, and the rest run to email! When talking to the truly strong in this company, they are stunned that someone has finally called a spade a spade. I’m sure previous posters, if given the same responsibility of a 300 million dollar company, the success of 400 plus families not to mention his own, would surely just look to keep things “status quo”. Wake up people. The days of long lunches and bar hopping at 4’oclock or hitting the golf course are over. Pull your head out. The company is what it is, both good and bad, based on the last 10 years in business, not the last 6 months. If you really think this man “runs” the company, you truly are a follower. How 1 man can cause such supposed turmoil is beyond anyone with drive and common sense. There are hundreds of employees. Do you see hundreds of negative posts? No, because although some friends are no longer here, it was their time and this is simply an evolution of business, from comfort and tranquility to accountability and a renewed desire to truly be the best. Change is scary, but mediocrity truly sucks. Quit pointing fingers and look at the only person you truly have any chance of changing . . . . . . you!
Sandie83"
5628

re:  5613 PFG MILTONS:  "Problem here is with the exception of one or two pros they have all rookies, a totally clueless wanna be sales force that has no idea how to see a sale through - from start to close – being sure the customer gets what they want when they want it and at the prices they were quoted. Too much passing the buck- blame on inside support people the sales weasels blame for all their failures. It’s lack of total execution and the fact they don’t give a rats ass after the fact.
    The buck starts and begins with the sales rep. They don’t have a clue what to do and all you can do is blame DB and the other managers for not training them properly. There’s a reason PFG will never be # 2 or #1 in the country – they lack the passion, substance and ability to follow through and get the job done exceeding their customer’s expectations. That is why PFG -Miltons is soon to be a systems distributor. If they can’t manage accounts any better than the mom and pop and school food service operators they have TRIED TO SERVICE in the past – PFG will one day be the company that wanted to be a food service distributor, but they just never grew up. To bad MR isn’t still running this place."
5627

re:  USF CORONA LAUNCH:  "DISASTER !!!"
5626

There's another one lost on the Lost and Found page.

re:  6612/RETURN PHONE CALLS:  "Does this person sound like an ass hole or what? We don't return your call because you're this or that. What kind of an answer is that? How about taking a little responsibility for your own professionalism and return the god damned call, you idiot! Who are you to judge whose call you should return based on your own warped perception from your dimly lit cubicle of what's going on in the outside world of food service sales? Oh wait, you're one of those inside people that say, "I'd do it like this or that if I were them" kinds. Well, get your ass out there and do it if you have the balls. Otherwise, just return the god damned call!"
5625

There's another one found on the Lost & Found page.

re:  PFG/THOMAS PROESTLER:  "To 5617:
    I’m not saying this to ridicule you but your post has me chuckling. I could change a few people or company names around and this complaint could come from every distributor I do business with or have been associated with. This management style may be new to you and your company but it seems to be the norm throughout the industry. It’s a different world, friends, so either accept and make the best of it or look for new opportunities in a different industry. The reduction of cost (all costs not just cost of goods) is necessary for the growth of revenue. That is not going to stop.
FS Old Man"
5624

There's another one found on the Lost & Found page.

re:  PFG/THOMAS PROESTLER:  "Wiedower is at least a two-time loser. He got himself whacked at SYSCO Cincinnati. He was brought on board Lopresti, an independent in Cleveland to "turn it around." He proceeded to chase away a nice chunk of business, and some good, loyal employees. As always, you can argue whether or not some of those employees should have been chased. Didn't do anything really positive the entire time he was at Lopresti. Ops, sales, finance, all in demonstrably worse situations on the day he left. He was there for a little more than a year, and then one day came in and announced that he was gone for Illinois. I think the vendor community was glad he went out there to torture you guys. I know the staff certainly was. And so it appears, were a few large customers. Best of luck surviving this guy. I think he is one of those guys who loses his shine fairly quickly. A year from now he will be a distant memory."
5623

Sizzler Trial Begins

July 15, 2008
Tuesday

Somehow (most likely my incompetence) a link to a new resume was screwed up...it's fixed now:  Top Notch Foodservice Regional or National Sales Manager (Dallas, TX)

re:  5617:  "Let's just say this. If your president Mike was at Sysco for 20 plus years and never made it to the President's level there's a reason why. Your are experiencing it. To him, only one thing matters "HIM " so everybody and everything else is expendable. It will only get worse.
Good luck. "
5622

re: PFG/THOMAS PROESTLER: I have known and worked for Mike Wiedower for many years. He is very professional and always does his job which more or less means LOOKING AT THE BOTTOM LINE! When are those of you who do nothing but whine grow some balls and just do your job! As a sales person in this industry you really have the best chance of becoming successful when you manage your territory as your business. You know your competition, your products and hopefully your customers. If all your customers want is the cheapest prices and you give in, it is not a win win proposition. Sure you have to be competitive, that is a given! How about really helping your customers become and stay successful as well? Almost everyone on this site is simply blaming the President, CEOor the management of their operating company for their lack business understanding or complete laziness! Where do you think your commission comes from? How about your health insurance, 401K, car allowance, cell phone bill, and other benefits? Guess what they come from gross profit you dummy! Stop blaming others and do your job. I am sure that whoever you work for, you can always find some fault. Oh by the way, promoting someone from operations to purchasing is pretty cool in my books. Maybe you are jealous that someone who has done a good job doesn’t deserve an opportunity