APSOlutely

This seems to be relevant today as uncertainty swirls around friends of mine. I am not worried about change, I embrace it.
I moved my family from SW Florida to Wisconsin in 1997 on the hope that I could become a GM in a short time with Apple South. I liked the company. They were in a growth mode and the concept of Applebee's was a good fit for my personal style of management. 12 weeks of training later took me to the end of September. Rockford IL, State St. Associate Manager lasted a month. Madison East, WI, Kitchen Manager lasted 3 months. Madison West, GM. January 1998. Anyone who knows the history of Bee's and Apple South know what happened next.Tom DuPree with all his infinite wisdom and infighting with the smaller parent company decided to sell all of his restaurants. 293. I happened to be in charge of one of the them.
I have be to honest, I wanted to work for APSO. I chose my employer and performed for them. They rewarded me and advanced me quickly. I wasn't the happiest about the sale but I did get to the coveted position I wanted and began to have some success in the transition. I was an infant learning to walk.
The company knew that they could not sell closed restaurants for the same dollar amount as operational ones so they offered an incentive bonus to stay until the store was sold and books were closed out. Some of the stores sold quickly in desirable markets. Others, like mine, took awhile. 9 months to be exact. I still remember the first official meeting with our soon to be new owners. Good bunch of people, probably doing extremely well but I was so hung up on wanting to work for
APSO that I wouldn't even give them a chance. I sat crossed armed through the entire meeting.
2 things happened next.
My restaurant sold and I walked away with a lot of bonus money. I was picked up by a former APSO store in Florida that was just getting its bearings and we had an exciting run together. The only thing I ever pondered was What could've happened if I stayed with the new company?
In times of change, there will always be questions that have better answers with 20/20 hindsight. My situation turned out the right move for me and my family. For some, I am sure that the transition into a new life was not smooth, not without turbulence. But change will come in all of our lives. Wallow in the self-pity of the next chapter that you have no control over or embrace it and run as hard as you can to the end.
And know that it will probably find you again.