Lessons from a fast-food Titan

I found out last night that a man who briefly mentored me passed away. I’d like to tell you the story.

I had read Tim Ferris’s book 4-Hour Work Week and the chapter on overcoming gatekeepers.

I was reading a book about the founding of Dominos pizza (Pizza Tiger) and in it was mentioned a Dominos franchisee who worked his way from delivery driver to one of the most successful franchisees of all time.

I googled the man and found some references to his LLC and using Ferris’s tips I guessed his email address (naming convention) and sent him an email.

Surprisingly he replied and we started exchanging emails. He gave me some advice over email and one day he gave me his phone number.

We started conversing by phone. After a few phone calls he told me point blank – “I usually charge a lot of money for consulting and I’ve honestly given you a lot of my time for free so I think we need to stop talking.”

I actually wasn’t offended and was just grateful for the time I did get with him.

About a year later when I was struggling in my franchise restaurant I got a random call from him.

He lived in the Deep South but Summered in Michigan and said he was passing through Tennessee and wanted to stop and see my operation. On his own dime he got a hotel across the street from my restaurant and we spent basically two full days together. Him reviewing my operations, coaching me on how to improve.

I learned he had hundreds of Dominos stores and they did more than $70M a year in revenue. He had them for like 40-50 years. He owned his own castle in Michigan. Seriously a literal castle that he and his wife restored.

He charged me nothing and was so helpful and encouraging to me. Learning of his passing yesterday at age 77 took me back to that moment when this man who had immense wealth took time out of his life to impart a little wisdom from his 50 years in franchising on a hungry, broke and eager first-time franchisee. All because I sent him an email out of the blue a year before.

With this story, I offer a few observations:

1. People want to help other people.

2. Never ask for money from someone you don’t know well, but don’t be afraid to ask for advice.

3. As an entrepreneur, the days may feel long but life is short.

I vow to pour a little of my wisdom into an enterprising young person one day to pay it forward for what this man did for me.

Rest in peace Richard.