Fort Worth: Run the key critical ratios, and in any way this family business has beat the odds. For their leadership and tenacity, they have been recognized by their local Chamber of Commerce and scores of other organizations for their generosity within the community.

Recognized by the James Beard Foundation in 1998 for their outstanding regional cuisine, this family restaurant, is truly a celebrated landmark in the USA.

What happens when a family works together, pulls together, and stays together for three generations? Impossible? In this episode of the show we find proof positive that it is possible. When a family coheres and works toward a common goal, miracles happen.

This family has created a little paradise on earth; their Fiesta Gardens make up one square city block and are among the most beautiful outdoor seating in the country.

At its outset, their restaurant was busy. When they opened on July 4, 1935, they could seat just 16 people; today they seat over 1000. Those old country recipes from Mexico attracted crowds in the beginning. And now three generations later, the lines are always out the door.

The physical proprerties have been constantly improved, and the roots of this family are growing deeper and deeper into the community they love.

This is an old world recipe for success.

There are no short cuts, just hard work and long hours. Though there are many hands in the pot, in no way is this multi-level marketing. Nobody expects to get rich quick.

Here is the real heart and soul of America. Honest, hard-working, decent people. And this story can be told over and over and over again throughout America. This is the quiet revolution of small business that works.

Let us introduce you to the Joe T. Garcia family. It all began when great-grandpa Joe immigrated from Mexico to Texas in 1935 with his bride. Now, this family's restaurant, is the place to go for authentic Mexican food.

Joe T.'s daughter, Hope, had seven children who are all involved in sustaining the Joe T. tradition. Her oldest son, Lanny, is president/CEO. And his brothers and sisters each have a role. And now all their children are starting to pick up the reins.

We have seen this time and time again; the second generation expands the locations, the product lines, and perfects the products and processes. We visit Hope's wholesale bakery and catering. And then, the third generation expands through distribution and, of course, now worldwide sales through the web.

These people teach us how families in business work to balance power, money, and love.

In today's world of shortcuts, this amounts to "The Miracle on Commerce Street."

Contact:
Joe T. Garcia's Restaurant
2201 N. Commerce Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76106
Tel: 817-626-4356
Fax: 817-626-0581
E-mail: Click here.
URL: http://www.joets.com/
Hours: Open Sun 11-8, Mon thru Thur 11-2:30 & 5-10, Fri & Sat 11-11. Moderately priced. No Credit Cards.

• FAMILY BUSINESSES. The Baylor Family Institute reports that 90% of small business is essentially family business, but the failure rate is very high. Just think what happens when there is so much failure. Let's reverse the numbers!

• CASE STUDIES: If you are part of a family business, we encourage you to review these other episodes of the show.

• THE BAYLOR INSTITUTE (for Family Business): Read more from Dr. Nancy Upton, Director of the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship, then go on directly to the Instititute.

• SELECTION: Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant was on a list of business recommended to us by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. Hope Lancarte and the people of Joe T. Garcia's have been recognized by their community often.

• GO FURTHER: Spend some time with the ten key points of the case study guide (just above in the green box) and each of the related transcript segments.

• Here is a print version of the transcript.

• TRADE ASSOCIATIONS & PUBLICATIONS. Learn more from the following:
  • International Hotel & Restaurant Association
  • National Restaurant Association
  • Texas Restaurant Association
  • Lanny and Hope are members of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce: In 2003 the LanCartes were honored for their leadership in the community. The Chamber invited outstanding high school girls to sit at the tables of Chamber members, share stories over a meal, and be in the audience when Hope was honored and she told their story of building a family business.
    
    To look up your local chamber: click here.

• FIRST PRINCIPLES: Starting a business is the road to economic independence for most of us average people. Read a little more to see why incorporating a business keeps the passion of the American revolution alive!

• CASES BY BUSINESS TYPE. Click on the heading to find all the business types and then click on your type of business to check out those case studies.

• SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION:
  Become a member of your local station. If you are already, great. If not and your business is doing well, consider joining the Producers' Club ($1000).

• JOIN, JOIN, JOIN: Your professional associations in your industry are your key to continuing education, market research, collaborations, strategic partnerships, capital and so much more ... often you'll find that you enjoy like-minded people and many will become friends for life.