Saginew and Weinzweig spent two years debating theircompany’s direction. Arguing for change, Saginaw wanted to try new things and expand, possibly by opening delis in other cities. His partner understood the business case for growth but resisted the chain approach because he believed that trying to replicate the original would discuss alternatives and finally settled on a long-term concept they called the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses. They envisioned a group of 12 to 15 businesses located in and around AnnArbor, offering goods and services related to, or in some way supporting, Zingerman’s Deli. “The key was having partners who were real owners,” Weinzweig notes.” We wanted people who had visions of their own. Otherwise, whatever we did would be mediocre, and the whole idea was to elevate the quality of each element of the company.” After the cofounders announced their plan in a letter to all employees, they found that not everyone agreed with the new direction. Faced with major changes to the company’s culture, structure, and expectations, 80 percent of Zingerman’s managers left during the first 18 months.