Turner's Restaurant Bail Out Comment May Have Legs

It was 1970 and the weather had rapidly coaxed us across the Bayview Port Huron to Mackinac race in fairly good time. The yacht, a 1962 40' Bounty, designed by Phil Rhodes, was hardly a one-off International Offshore Racer, but, it served as a test kitchen for a young puppy sailing with the Chief Engineer of Ford Motor Company. Little did I know back then that my skills in the galley would one day help me land in the world of restaurants.

I also didn't know when I left the dock in Port Huron, heading up the Black River that three days later I would be standing next to Ted Turner at The Pink Pony. Or more amazingly that the then Billboard entrepreneur- who had just purchased his first TV station in Atlanta would one day delve into the restaurant business with a steakhouse partner.

Its funny how life's course takes you through stormy skies and smooth seas. For Turner, one would think that his name is only playing host on the sign Ted's Montana Grill. Often celebrities of his proportion lend their names, a few bucks and the rest is history.  Yet, the other evening on Late Night with Letterman, the raconteur entrepreneur mentioned he was just about breaking even until the current downward spiral. That's not bad for a steakhouse with 50 locations. Even more impressive is that he had paid close enough attention to the business that he knew how much revenue the restaurant was producing. I know owners who are in the kitchen daily who have no idea of the numbers they are doing.

One thing that Turner stated that was very interesting is his comment that the government should assist restaurants with a "bailout package." Now I am sure that he was half joking- he has an incredible sense of humor- but thinking more about his comment I have to agree.

If the government realized what effect the economy is having on restaurants and the 13.5 million people the industry employs, they might consider a tax break situation for the industry.

Naturally, you have to make money to pay taxes, and in this economy that maybe a stretch, yet they should offer an incentive program for restaurateurs who keep their doors open, their employees employed and their lights on. It would be a major financial catastrophe if the restaurants on the brink of shuttering actually did it.

The NRA should look into getting their lobbyists to stand in line, right behind the automotive giants to see if there are any hand outs, or tax breaks for the struggling men and women in the business.

Although Turner was just throwing the idea out, it isn't as far fetched as it may seem. We never thought , while sanding next to him at The Pink Pony immediately after he took America eagle across the finish line that he would ever build the TV empire he was talking about that day either.