Corporate Cowboy by Stuart Anderson - Review, Guest Post and Giveaway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Corporate Cowboy by Stuart Anderson

ISBN: 9780692200636

Paperback

Synopsis: Restaurant Management: First Hand Lessons from the King of Steak Houses

Black Angus Beef Chain Founder shares business tips, food recipes and personal memoir

Stuart Anderson had led a fascinating life for the past 90 years. He built Black Angus, America's #1 restaurant chain of the 1980s, and ranched on a 26,000 acre spread where he raised cattle. His circle of friends has included Hollywood stars and corporate bigwigs. You'll discover his personal history is a lot like the man - larger than life!

Anyone seeking to go into the restaurant business or moving into a food industry management position will benefit from the lessons offered in this book as Stuart Anderson shares both his success and failures. Told with wit, simple cowboy logic and clever business savvy, there are numerous vignettes included in this memoir to include tales from World War II, Business Startups, Management Feuds, Love Affairs, Community Service and semi-Retirements.

Aside from the personal story and professional information, readers - especially those who ever ate at a Black Angus restaurant in the past - most notably in the 1980s - will enjoy such recipes like the BLACK ANGUS POTATOES AU GRATIN, ORIGINAL BLACK ANGUS RANCH BREAD, BREAKFAST STIR FRY and BAKED STEAK WITH MUSTARD SAUCE just to name a few.

Note: The author, diabetic himself, also offers menu ideas for "special" diet needs.

In addition, reader benefits:

• Discover the ins and outs of profitable restaurant management as imparted by a master entrepreneur

From initial ideas, failed startups and a relentless pursue for success, Stuart Anderson outlines how he went raising and eating Black Angus beef to building one of the most famous and successful restaurant chains in America voted #1 by consumers numerous times during the 1980s. But not everything remained rosy once Stuart Anderson sold his empire. The author offers his opinion on how a corporate takeover changed his business and ultimately why he retired ... at least the first time.

•  Delight in "bone head" mistakes Anderson made early in his career

Like the case of the "melted chocolate" or "bitter pills for bulls"

• Get a backstage look at celebrity friendships and news-making events

John Wayne fans will enjoy some "cowboy" fun when the star of Western Movies stops in for a surprise visit.

My review: I enjoyed reading this book. The way it was written was as if I was sitting with a family member telling me their stories. It was nice to hear about all the good things that happened to make Stuart a success but to also hear his mistakes. I remember this restaurant as a kid in the Midwest so it was kind of neat to hear the story behind the place that was so famous. It was also neat to hear about his relationships with celebrities. As an added bonus you get some of his recipes to try out for yourself. A nice book to enjoy on a lazy afternoon. 

Tour schedule for Corporate Cowboy

Be sure to check out all the stops on the tour.

Dec 15 - A Blue Million Books - author interview / giveaway
Dec 15 - One Frugal Girl - review / giveaway
Dec 15 - Lady in Re(a)d - review / giveaway
Dec 16 - Deal Sharing Aunt - review
Dec 16 - The Discerning Reader - review
Dec 17 - Heart of a Philanthropist - review / author interview
Dec 17 - 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! - review / giveaway
Dec 18 - Library of Clean Reads - review / giveaway
Dec 18 - Rockin' Book Reviews - review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 19 - Life With Katie - review / giveaway
Dec 19 - Bless Their Hearts Mom - book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 22 - Cassandra M's Place - book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 22 - Counter Culture Critic - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 23 - Griperang's Bookmarks - review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 26 - Brooke Blogs - review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 26 - Man of la Book - book spotlight / giveaway

Author's Bio:

Stuart Anderson was the founder of the Number 1 full-service restaurant chain in the Nation. He grew his original concept of a one-price steak dinner from one restaurant to 122 before he retired in the 80's when these polls were taken that made them No. 1. The chain still exists primarily on the West Coast. He was also a rancher for over 30 years with a beautiful ranch in Central Washington State where he raised Black Angus cattle and Clydesdale horses. 

He spent most of his life in Washington until moving to the beautiful Desert in Southern California. He has two wonderful daughters, two grandsons and about to have his first great grandson. He and his wife traveled extensively over a good part of the world and around America in their motor home. They especially loved train travel and enjoying retirement. Stuart is currently 91 years young!

Connect with Stuart on Facebook

Where to buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Nobles

Q&A with Stuart Anderson

1. How did you do research for your book? 

I did a lot of research on my first book, HERE’S THE BEEF! That was a book defending beef—ranchers were getting a bum steer. This book, being a memoir, primarily was remembering and reliving my life.

2. In your book you make a reference to how large this business is. 

This definitely influenced me to write the book because of the fascination people have with this industry.

3. What made you write a book about the restaurant business? 

It’s a huge market—13 million people. Also, the number one question I’m always asked is, How did you get started?”

4. There are many books out there about restaurants. What makes yours different? 

Mine is different because I started and grew the chain into the No. 1 dinner house chain in the Nation and that was by public poll.

5. What advice would you give budding writers? 

Read a lot, take classes, join writer’s guilds, etc. Marketing is the big challenge

6. In your book you talk about ranching. Why is that? 

There’s a close association between the two—from the ranch to the restaurant. I did try at first to furnish the beef for the ranch but as only 22% of the animal was usable, it was too difficult to get rid of the rest and we grew too fast to keep that up.

7. How long have you been writing? 

Since 1995.

​8. ​

Where do you write? 

I've had a stroke

​and​

 my right hand doesn't work

​,​

 so I dictate the book from my comfortable old club chair.

​9​

. What is the last great book you've read?

Killing Patton probably because I drove a tank in Patton’s Army.

​10. ​

What is your next project? 

To write my obituary

​.​

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