Some Cafe Gratitude employees aren't chanting "I Am Happy"
The restaurant chain famous for naming menu items after emotional aphorisms such as "I Am Charismatic" (carrot juice), "I Am Generous" (guacamole, salsa & chips) or "I Am Magnificent" (chocolate mousse) may be in for some karmic indigestion.
A recent story in the East Bay Express about a former employee at Cafe Gratitude, details a cult-like environment where workers are strongly encouraged--and often required--to take self-help, personal transformation seminars from an organization called Landmark Forum.
Apparently the founders and owners of Cafe Gratitude, Matthew and Terces Engelhart, met at one of the seminars years ago and it transformed them enough to build their business around its philosophy.
The only thing is, the Landmark Forum appears to be based on Erhard Seminars Training, better known as est, the infamous cult-like organization that drew thousands of followers worldwide in the 1970s.
The former employee, who used to work at Cafe Gratitude's San Francisco branch, claims she was fired after refusing to attend the forum, among other things.
The son of Matthew Engehart, Ryland Engelhart, manages the Marin branch in San Rafael and he told the Express,
"I see the value of what people are getting [from the Forum] as a much stronger force than the discomfort of someone being pushy."
Somehow, we don't think "I Am Pushy" will make it onto the menu.
| August 20 2009 at 05:31 PM
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