Jennifer Baker
Staff Writer
The Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series continued Tuesday with speaker Kirk Robinson, CEO of Pizza Properties.
"You have to figure out how to get from A to Z, then you have to want it enough and fight for it," Robinson told students who packed the Hilton College's Alumni Hall.
Robinson, who owns Peter Piper Pizza and some Burger King restaurants, discussed his life and told students how he came to be a success.
He answered many questions and gave lots of advice about making it big in a competitive industry.
He offered insight into some of the key issues of the business. For example, he said minimum wage increases are offset by increases in menu prices at restaurants.
Robinson also revealed the secret to Burger King's new french fries: a vegetable coating that allows them to remain crispier and hotter longer.
He said the improved fries are more expensive for Burger King but that they are worth it if they are competitive with McDonald's fries.
Robinson told students to keep up with what is going on around them.
"I read a lot, I ask a lot of questions, I see a lot, and I get the details," he said. "That's your exposure ... You have to do it."
He called the world a universe of information available for us to consume and use to our advantage.
"Be resilient, keep your eyes open," he said.
Robinson also cautioned the audience that not everything in business is an easy victory, but that today's students have a decided advantage in their education.
"You are going to stumble," he said, advising the students to be willing to make sacrifices to attain their goals.
"You guys have a great advantage in your valuable edu