Inside This Issue

IN MEMORIUM

Management Restructure sets up new focus on tigher controls

Vicki Mahone joins SFG

SFG-Popeyes garners top spot in Tidewater

Danahar Appointed

Thoughts for the Spirit-Merium Ann Simone

Special Points of Interest

  • Popeyes awarded runner-up award by Virginia Pilot for best chicken in Norfolk
  • Company restructures for better application of systems
  • Vicki Mahone joins SFG as Human Resource Director for SFG/Tidewater Popeyes
  • Ed Danaher appointed Chairman of President's Leadership Council
  • Rolling Thunder Bake-Off is a success in Hampton
  • Saratoga's website had 18,000 hits in July - Majority on coupons

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

- Roxanne Fonville-

General Manager- OMNI 2, Newmarket Shopping Center, Hampton, Virginia
Supervisor, Training, SFG

Roxanne has been with Saratoga Food Group for over two years and has been a strong advocate for the company and a capable leader and trainer. She has been promoted to Supervisor, Training for SFG while maintaining her
GM position.

As General Manager of
OMNI 2 at Newmarket Shopping Center, Hampton Virginia, Roxanne has maintained excellent sales, employee relations and customer service. Her store has consistently been in the top three stores in the company for sales and customer counts.

Roxanne is a spirited and dedicated professional whose persona has touched many people in many ways.

BUSINESS FOCUS

IN HIS OWN WORDS

Harry S. Truman

What Ruins A Man: “Those three things, though, in my opinion—power, money, and women, in that order—are what most often contribute to the ruination of a man. You read your history and you’ll find out.”

Politicians Who Make Long-Winded Speeches:
“The less they have to say, the longer it takes them to say it”

Saratoga Food Group, LLC

8605 Cameron Street

Suite 514

Silver Spring, MD, 20910

Phone:301-585-4870

Fax:301-585-5513

E-mail SFG Here

Creating Excitement through People and Careers

The Spirit of Life newsletter is prepared and published by Saratoga Food Group, LLC bi-monthly and I intended for members of the SFG family of supplies, employees, investor, industry associates and funding entities. Any reproduction, duplication or publication of material that is used for purposes other than as originally intended must receive proper footnoting and/or reference.

Concerns, comments, submissions should be directed to SFG online at

Newsletter Feedback

Watch for the Growth in 2002 of

Saratoga Land Development Company, LLC

MERIUM ANN SIMONE
MARCH 27, 1951 - AUGUST 23, 2002

"A SUNSET ON EARTH IS A SUNRISE IN HEAVEN"
SFG RESTRUCTURES OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT TEAM IN TIDEWATER POPEYES STORES
The results already have been exceptional. Labor, food and paper costs have been substantially reduced. By focusing more intently from field level, ground zero, the stores are able to respond more quickly, issues identified more promptly and resolutions achieved at a greater pace with more substance. Management and customer issues are quickly resolved and attention to finite detail and overall supervision has been dramatically increased. The new management method, advocated by business leaders recently, puts the strength of change in the hands of the best and top employees.
Silver Spring, MD– SFG announced that it has organized a new Operations and Management team to focus in Tidewater to improve and stabilize operations affected by the sluggish economy.

Hung Ngo, a fifteen year veteran of quick service at Taco Bell was appointed lead Supervisor and Team Coordinator for the market. Hung has been with SFG for over a year. Additionally, SFG created the General Managers Leadership Roundtable promoting six of the top managers to the management team. By reorganizing and pulling strength from within the established employee base, the company has strengthened the internal structure immediately. The management team, led by Hung, will oversee all stores guided by SFG executives.

VICKI MAHONE JOINS SFG TEAM - HUMAN RESOURCES

Norfolk, VA—SFG reported that Ms Vicki Mahone has joined SFG as Director of Human Resources. Ms. Mahone located in Norfolk regional office has been instrumental in working with all employees and establishing systems for employee training and customer service techniques.

Ms. Mahone has extensive experience in Human Resources having worked with some of the nation’s largest companies such as; SITEL Corporation, APAC TeleServices, QVC.
A graduate of Norfolk State University, Ms. Mahone is highly respected and regarded for her expertise in human resources and people orientation. She is an excellent motivator and recruiter.
SPIRIT OF LIFE FOUNDATION AWARDS PROGRAM TO BE A MEMORIAL EVENT

Silver Spring, MD - The Annual International Spirit of life Awards Program to be held Spetember 25, 2002, 12:00 Noon, Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, DC will now be a memorial event in honor of the Founder, Ann Simone.

The Spirit of Life Foundation, founded by Ann Simone prior to her own cancer diagnosis is sponsored and funded by patients, surviviors and their families. The awards program recognizes the higest achievement by doctors and world leaders in the battle of cancer. This year's honorees are: Former President George Bush & Mrs. Barbara Bush; Dr. Richard Klausner, former NCI Director, now head of Bill & Melinda Gates Global Health Foundation; Dr. Jimmie Holland; Sloan Kettering, one of the top ten

women doctors in the wold, providing groundbreaking psychiatric oncology treatment for doctors and their patients; Dr. Elmer Huerta, found of the model "Cancer Preventorium, Washington Cancer Institute, D.C.

Donation for Ann and the Foundation are strictly used to foster greater recognition, promote better care and research and further the overall national and global awareness and for better funding to find a cure.

Donations may be made to:
SOL at the Washington Cancer Institute
110 Irving Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010
c/o Gerald Hill

POPEYES GAINS RUNNER UP POSITION AS BEST
CHICKEN IN NORFOLK
Norfolk, VA— The Virginia Pilot announced that Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits was voted runner up as “best chicken restaurants” in Norfolk, Virginia. The winner, Pollard’s, is a family owned, three unit concept with 35 years in the market.

Spokesman for SFG stated that the company is extremely pleased and happy with the recognition and gave praise to Pollard’s.

SFG said, “Pollard’s represents the culture and history of an area and we are proud that people still recognize these values in this city and this country. Popeyes is a 30 year old concept founded in New Orleans, Louisiana serving the mild and spicy chicken
and biscuits that has made it world famous.

ED DANAHER APPOINTED CHAIRMAN,PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

operations, implement advanced training programs and upgrade store level personnel for potential management positions.

Ed is a veteran general manager and area supervisor having been with such national companies as KFC/TRICON, Wendy’s International and Rally’s. Ed was with Wendy’s for fifteen years.

The Council meets regularly.
Tidewater, Virginia– Joe Simone, President/CEO of SFG has announced that Ed Danaher, GM of Lynnhaven Popeyes, has been appointed Chairman, President’s Leadership Council.

The Council is comprised of outstanding crew employees nominated and selected by their peers and the General Managers. The overallpurpose of the Council is to foster better communication across the employee ranks, develop and achieve new ideas and better methods for service and

GENERAL MANAGER’S LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE JOINS MANAGEMENT TEAM OF SFG
Silver Spring, MD– In keeping with the national movement to streamline management and put more focus on and in the employee base, SFG has created a new management tool.

SFG created the General Manager’s Leadership Roundtable and selected and appointed six top managers to help form the nucleus of the energy of the “Management Team.”

The purpose is to internalize the management focus, using established employees from the management ranks to help direct and guide the company’s growth and success. The Roundtable meets monthly or more often as needed to discuss overall operations and controls and goals.

The outcome so far has been enthusiastic with the six managers assuming new roles and additional responsibilities.		 “They have stepped up and become a stronger component in the management cycle,” said Joe Simone, President/CEO of SFG.

The trend to develop more management teams is not new. Peter Drucker, the supposed guru of Business Management, has long called for this process that encourages more employees to participate in the business and builds bench strength from the ranks for management growth.

Hung Ngo, Regional Area Supervisor has taken the leadership role and has implement several new programs, revised old programs, refocused the systems and controls and established many new management techniques to control costs, increase check averages and retool the operational system to work more smoothly.

Thoughts for the Spirit . . . Merium Ann Simone

-March 27, 1951 - August 23, 2002-
“There once was a most congenial spot, that will not long be forgot, that they called CAMELOT… … … .”

Merium Ann Simone profoundly affected the lives of all those she met in her lifetime. She never frowned, never complained, never spoke ill of anyone, never chastised or rebuked anyone, never expressed a negative thought, never was concerned with herself, but always with others. She wore a perpetual smile even in the face of death. She taught us how simple it was to love and to forgive, for to her it was natural; she taught by example to honor one’s commitments and keep one’s promises; she never left a project unfinished. She never sought or would take advantage of a solution at the cost of another. Ann always was a part of the process that would lead to a solution even if she was not the benefactor. In our 19 years together she guided, counseled, fostered, was steadfast, confident, courageous, brave and strong in the face of any and all adversity. Her entire life was more than that of a mortal being interacting with others; her life was a spiritual essence that touched the soul, brightened its glow, strengthened its belief and carried out its mission. She created a desire in everyone to touch, love and hold life close and then let it go for others to enjoy. She held confidences close to her heart. She was the essence of integrity. She absorbed life and exuded life in a pure form that touched and filled everyone with joy and love and compassion. She was not just a beautiful person. She was divinely ordained to come into our lives. Ann was inspiring not just to me, but to the doctors, nurses and support teams, patients and families for her relentless courage and bravery and focus when faced with a disease and landmark treatment that had no chartered course or precedent. I was proud to have been just a foot soldier in honoring her for her presence and her purpose on this earth. Although short and brief, it left an indelible mark and forever imprint .


At times, it seems that we can only say so much about someone and only for so long. Overemphasizing one’s attributes can become redundant. But Ann was special and here on earth for more than just to live her life. Because of this, her spirit inspires us to speak about her only in terms that she would want—–love, respect, honor, integrity, truth, honesty, bravery, elegance, simplicity, love and goodness

.
Perhaps in the years to come, as time fades our views of life and changes our bodies, takes away more of those we love, Ann will always remain the beacon of light. Her soul reached deeper into our lives than her own, struck more love than was normal, embraced more of life than could be expected and showered more warmth than ever before known. If this is so, and I believe it to be so, then Ann was here for more than just her own life—–she was here to affect and influence all of us and brings us to one same conclusion—–this was a woman divinely inspired and given as a gift for us to cherish until we join her once again.

Saratoga Food Group, LLC was created in January 1998 in order to expand, develop, build and operate Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits restaurants on the eastern seaboard. SFG is comprised of some of the most experienced franchise executives in the world and has a proven track record in the fast food industry generating an impact in its area of dominance-The Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

SFG has chosen the "Spirit of Life" statue as its logo. The statue, created in 1912 and erected in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, New York in 1914, is a symbol of the creativity, perseverance and enthusiasm of a man and woman in pursuing the entrepreneurial dream in honoring integrity and individualism.

SFG accepts investors as subscribers, and organizes and manages LLC's that in turn own and operate the Popeyes restaurants. Subscription packages, investment letters, operating agreements and prospectus books may be obtained by contacting the company offices.

Spirit of Life is a publication of SFG and is used solely for marketing and informational purposes. It is distributed to managers, store personnel, selective individuals, groups and the investment community.

Saratoga Food Group, LLC 8605 Cameron St., Suite 514, Silver Spring, MD, 20910
Tel (301) 585-4870 Fax (301) 585-5513
 
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