Dear Reader,
I love handwritten replies. You know you’re not going to get boilerplate when the response is handwritten. This edition of the newsletter features two new responses (both handwritten), an encore of an old letter, and a newly minted, as yet unanswered, letter for your amusement.
Hope you enjoy!
Jolly Time Popcorn
Christopher L. Jorgensen
PO Box 546
Ames, IA 50010
July 6, 2022
Jolly Time
One Fun Place, Box 178
Sioux City, IA 51102
Dear Jolly Time,
Believe it or not, I grew up in Sioux City, so I have fond memories of Jolly Time Popcorn. I'm pretty sure it was a staple of my diet. It's been a while, and I no longer live in Sioux City, but I still consume your product. I like to pretend that the fiber is good for me, but I drown the popcorn in enough butter and put on enough salt that I'm fairly certain I am destroying any health benefits. I guess it's still a better choice than some I could be making. I'm old school when it comes to making popcorn. I use an air popper, not the microwave, so there's no oil. I'm sure if I did it that way the snack would be even less healthy.
It's not your fault that I use so much butter and salt, but we both know this is the way it tastes the best! I can't think of anything I like better than at home movie night with a giant tub of Jolly Time popcorn! Even if the movie is bad, you know the popcorn will be good.
I do have a confession. Sometimes, I eat popcorn in bed. I really shouldn't as I am a messy eater and buttered popcorn isn't exactly something you eat with a spoon. I end up sleeping on buttery popcorn crumbs and the sheets sometimes get stained. I've been thinking of buying special stain resistant sheets, but this seems like a lot of effort just to eat popcorn in bed without guilt. What do you think?
Anyway, I'm just writing to say I miss driving by your plant, but I am glad I can still get your popcorn.
Sincerely,
Christopher L. Jorgensen
We're popping with excitement!
Christopher
Thank you for your letter of July 6th and for your longtime loyalty to Jolly Time Pop Corn.
You are correct — the butter makes the popcorn! In fact in the microwave category about 90% of what's sold is a butter variety. Like you, however, I prefer to pop the regular kernel and add my own real butter.
Thanks again for your loyalty. Sorry I can't help with the greasy sheets!
Carlton Smith
Renfro Foods
July 13, 2022
Renfro Foods, Inc.
P.O. Box 321
Fort Worth, TX 76101
Dear Renfro Foods Salsa,
In our household we eat a lot of your Medium Black Bean Salsa. It's really not hot at all, and should probably be put in the Mild category, but you guys know what you're doing. We love this salsa. It's very flavorful and since the girlfriend doesn't like spicy food, and I can always add hot sauce, we're both happy eating this stuff. I've tried some of your other salsas and have never been disappointed, but we always come back to the black been. Objectively, it's the best.
I like super hot sauces and salsas, so I've tried your Ghost Pepper and Carolina Reaper salsas. I liked them just fine, but then I have to eat the jar all by myself. It's easier to just add hot sauce to the black bean and then everyone is happy. I didn't find your Ghost Pepper and Carolina Reaper salsas to be as hot as I was expecting. I was afraid of them at first, but they are very reasonable on the heat and flavor. Still too hot for the girlfriend though.
Anyway, your black bean salsa is a staple in our household. We keep a bunch of bottles on hand in case there are ever supply chain issues. That's happened to us with other products we enjoy and that's not fun.
Sincerely,
Christopher L. Jorgensen
Dear Christopher,
Thank you for your letter. We always enjoy hearing from our customers. I will send you some coupons as soon as we have them back in stock.
Becky Renfro
Chick-Fil-A
Christopher L. Jorgensen
PO Box 546
Ames, IA 50010
September 29, 2010
Chick-Fil-A CARES
P.O. Box 500367
Atlanta, GA 31150
Dear Chick-Fil-A,
I don’t eat red meat, and regardless of what the pork producers say pig is red meat. Even if we concede that pork could be white meat I won’t eat it. I’d just be inclined to say, “I don’t eat swine or bovine instead.” I just like the conciseness of saying, “I don’t eat red meat” (and I’m nothing if not concise)! Nope, it’s fish or fowl for me, which is why I love me some Chick-Fil-A!
I wish you’d open a Duck-Fil-A though. It would basically be the same thing as a Chick-Fil-A, but you’d have duck instead of chicken. Duck is one yummy bird. You ever have it? Duck wrap, duck breast, duck nuggets! I can see it now. In fact, I am salivating from the idea alone.
Ok, so the idea of Duck-Fil-A is plain silly, but some other fowl options wouldn’t be a bad idea. Turkey and duck come to mine, but I am sure other birds would work out as well. Just think about it, ok?
Sincerely,
Christopher L. Jorgensen
Chick-fil-A CARES℠
October 11, 2010
Mr. Christopher Jorgensen
P. O. Box 546
Ames, IA 50010
Dear Mr. Jorgensen:
Thank you for taking the time to contact Chick-fil-A. You are very important to us, and we appreciate your correspondence.
Chick-fil-A is fortunate to have many loyal customers. Many of these fans take the time and effort to inquire about sharing their own ideas about ways they wish to see us improve - whether it is adding a specific new product, service or feature. We are grateful for our customers’ intent, and this motivates us to work even harder to keep improving.
Unfortunately, it is our corporate policy not to accept or consider any unsolicited creative idea. This is a difficult decision because we realize that by following this policy, Chick-fil-A may miss out on some great ideas from our customers. We would rather miss out on some of these ideas than to risk any potential future misunderstanding should Chick-fil-A develop or already have developed a product, service, or feature that may seem similar to a customer’s idea.
We hope you will understand the reasons for our policy. You can view our Unsolicited Ideas Policy (under the “Submissions” sub-heading) for more information on this issue. Beyond this policy, we gladly welcome customers’ feedback about their restaurant experiences.
www.chick-fil-a.com/#legal
Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness and interest in Chick-fil-A. Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Avery
Chick-fil-A CARES
Chick-fil-A…We Didn’t Invent The Chicken,
Just The Chicken Sandwich.
On the Web at www.chick-fil-a.com
1-1144584323
P. O. Box 500367
Atlanta, GA 31150
Shullsburg Cheese
Christopher L. Jorgensen
PO Box 546
Ames, IA 50010
July 25, 2022
Shullsburg Cheese
208 West Water Street
Shullsburg, WI 53586
Dear Shullsburg Cheese,
I eat a lot of your cheese. Like a lot a lot. Probably more than is good for me. It's consistent quality and until recently was reasonably priced. My local grocery store has added $2 a block. That adds up quickly when you go through as much cheese as I do. This week I skipped my usual order. Partly because they want $8 for a single block, and partly because I wasn't out yet. I hate when there is a price increase on something I have to buy like cheese or gas.
I tend to stick with your yellow cheeses, the sharper the better, but I will cheat a bit with a Colby-Jack. That melts great and tastes yummy on some tortilla chips or as the cheese in a tuna melt. I am getting hungry just thinking about it.
I realize your prices have probably gone up, and you are passing these costs along to the retailer, who passes the increase onto the consumer. At least, I hope this is what's going on. I would hate to find out that my local Hy-Vee is just engaging in price gouging. Don't worry though, I won't stop buying entirely until the price hits $10. I may have to start buying direct and cut the middleman out.
Sincerely,
Christopher L. Jorgensen
Well, that’s it. As alway, reply, share, like, subscribe, or whatever gets you going. I hope you’re enjoying these as much as I am enjoying doing them.
Sincerely,
Christopher L. Jorgensen