He opened his first McDonald's Restaurant in Kingston, Ontario, ultimately opening 5 McDonald's in Eastern Ontario communities. He served as Canada's representative on the National Operators Advisory Board, meeting regularly with fellow operators from the United States and with McDonald's top executives.

He says, "I learned that when you embrace the basics of great Quality, Service, Cleanliness and People Practices, it's like strapping yourself to a rocket."

His average unit volume in 1989 dollars and in small Canadian communities was $2.6 million. He was a fourteen-time winner of McDonald's National Marketing Award and the 1984 winner of The Golden Arch Award, recognizing all-round, worldwide excellence.

In 1996, Rick moved his family to Aspen, Colorado. He bought a thriving Provencal bistro called Cache Cache. After eight years and more than doubling sales and profits, he sold the restaurant to his powerhouse General Manager and gifted Chef. Cache Cache continues to thrive in its twenty-fifth year, a great rarity in a competitive, seasonal community.

He currently divides his time between Toronto, Ontario and Bonita Springs, Florida. He is a founding partner of Restaurant Rx, a full-service restaurant and hospitality consulting firm, operating in the U.S. and Canada.

Rick says, "I couldn't ask for more talented and effective partners. Their complementary skill sets make for a powerful team."

influential, interesting,