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Monday, 09 August 2010 05:49 |
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Invention, creativity, and innovation are everywhere. The inspiration for the next great idea in retailing, restaurants, hair styling and yes, even toys and games is all around us right now. As a famous thinker once said, “We stand on the shoulders of giants.” Any new thought we have is based on the thinking of those who came before us. Case in point: I love Cracker Barrel restaurants. You probably do, too, if you have ever had the pleasure. I always find cool toys in the adjoining general stores, and the food can always be counted on to be mouth-wateringly delicious. If you ever pass by Sikeston, Missouri, don’t miss a place called Lambert's, home of the "throwed rolls." They throw the rolls to you from across the restaurant, and they are too good to drop. Each restaurant has a little general store and a very cluttered country motif that may seem a tad familiar. Lambert's Café, of Sikeston, Missouri is the prototype for Cracker Barrel restaurants. There can be no doubt. Someone looking for a restaurant concept must have found this country classic and decided to clone it and franchise it, just as Ray Kroc did long ago with the McDonald's restaurant concept. Good and even great ideas to inspire our innovation, invention, and creativity are all around us. We need but to look.
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