Connie had a table today with a young lady of 100. She was bright eyed and bushy tailed. She just celebrated her 100th birthday in early August. She looked 30 years younger. She was very happy to be able to go and share the Pay it Forward with someone.
How Could I Not?
Today while I was making my usual rounds around the dining room, a gentleman asked me to come over to his table. The gentleman handed me his credit card and began to tell me that he wanted to pay for another table’s tab. I was completely shocked that a complete stranger would volunteer to pay for a tab without even knowing what the cost was. I asked him “what makes you want to do that for them?”. He replied “this young lady has been having a hard time with her children, who are not listening, and I could tell she was having a bad day. She’s been so patient with them and I know what that is like”. This gentleman was sitting at his table with two of his own children who had also been rambunctious during their lunch. I expressed how awesome it was for him to do that for them. I knew in that moment that this was the perfect RAK. It was easy to explain to him why I wanted to do something for him since he was so willing to do something for someone else. He repeatedly told me ” you don’t have to do that!” I knew I didn’t have to but I couldn’t believe his generosity and willingness to make someone else’s day brighter. Paying it Forward is working, not only in our restaurants, but everywhere. Angelina Brady
First Time Visitor
Had a grandmother, her daughter, and grandson come in tonight. The grandson is 9 weeks old and just a cute little ball of baby dough. I went over to say hello and the little guy couldn’t take his eyes off of me. I got to talking and found out three generations were sitting at the table and it was the little guys first ever visit to one of our restaurants. I told them if that’s the case he has to get a T-BONE. They were super sweet and the little guy stole my heart, so I bought their meals and gave them a Pay It Forward to give to someone else. They promised that the first time he gets a steak it will be at one of our restaurants.
Hot Summer Night
Tonight the a family joined us for dinner, a family with 4 little boys. After a hot day like today, you could tell by the facial expressions and body language that Mom & Dad had had a very long day dealing with the boys, one of which is an infant. So I gave them a certificate and an invitation: Perhaps sometime in the near future they could secure a baby sitter and use the certificate to come out and enjoy a date night. They sure looked like they could use one! They were thrilled with the idea, thanked me very much, and said they could pass along the PIF certificate with pleasure.
We Love Our Men (and Women) in Uniform
This past Tuesday, we had 3 gentlemen join us dressed in fatigues. They were from the local recruiting station and came in for lunch. We went one step further on the military discount and hooked them up with lunch. They were pretty happy about that, and said they would definitely hook somebody up with the $25 certificate. Submitted on behalf of Sarah Drew
Lending A Helping Hand
Today I had a lady named Donna in that we see from time to time with her husband. Today she was in with a different gentleman. I went over and asked hows she’s doing and she introduced me to her ex husband. She then proceeded to tell me that he is about to get back surgery this Monday. They are still close and she wanted to help him out. This to me was absolutely amazing as you don’t see this anymore. I bought both of their meals and wished him good luck on his surgery. They may be giving the Pay It Forward gift card to a nurse of his!
Never too young!!
I had a couple come in with their 3 kids. The newest member of the family was only 2 weeks old! Blaine and Todd were very nice, and could not believe the generosity of our company. I figured why not RAK a couple with a new baby, as they could use the break, after all, diapers are expensive these days! Perhaps in about 16 to 18 years, we will have new regulars. 🙂
RAK Deputy
I especially enjoyed the RAK tonight. Every Sunday morning shift I stop at Heavenly Donuts in Windham to get donut holes for the Kitchen guys, a giant coffee for myself, and I always buy the car behind me a coffee or two as my random act of kindness for the week. Every week its the same young woman who completes my order, and she is always excited to be able to tell the people behind me they got a free coffee. Tonight she came in with her boyfriend, and we joked about how she’s my “RAK Deputy” every week. I was finally able to pay her back for all the help she’s given me over the last couple years by buying her dinner and hooking up with a GC for the next visit. She is really psyched to be able to give someone a RAK certificate at the drive though tomorrow morning, and will be on the look out for a worthy candidate. So thanks, Mellissa at Heavenly, hope you pick out someone good!
Regulars Who Needed a Boost
Had a couple come in tonight who are regulars at our family of restaurants. I was told they recently had a huge family scare when their daughter got in a very serious car accident, almost losing her life and that of her unborn child. She had blood transfusions and emergency surgeries to save her life. She went through an emergency cesarian section to save her baby as well. The couple shared with me that both are doing ok and are expected to be fine, however their daughter has a long road of rehab for her leg. I gave both of them a hug and told them we were taking care of their dinners. I gave them a pay it forward to give to someone else. They both gave me another hug as they left, and thanked myself and T-BONES for always being so amazing and there for their patrons.
Copper Anniversary!
My RAK tonight went to Mrogan and Jen Cline! They celebrated the Ten year “Copper ” Anniversary with us tonight! They were so sweet!! When I brought over a GC and explained our mission and the intention of RAK, they were over come with emotion!! Morgan Huged me, and Jen got teary, and then I got teary!! They said it was the nicest thing anyone has every done for them! They continued to tell me that Copper Door is their favorite, and that they couldn’t have been happier with their experience here thus far!! They also could not believe that we wanted them to pass it on as well!! I feel so proud to be part of a company that gives back to the customers, and community the way GNHR does! Its a great feeling!!