Hello, all. My name is Alison Defrese, and I worked in the International Division of Denny's, Inc. in the early-to-mid 80s, when Mr. Higgins was President of the Division. Mr. Higgins had several careers in his lifetime--music, banking, and international restaurants are the ones I was aware of. He was quite an interesting character. Very well traveled and well educated, with a tickly sense of humor. I used to be scared of him, but I was very young at the time! Now I look back on working in his department with a smile and respect for his achievements, such as bringing El Pollo Loco to the USA. He gave me a chance to grow in my translation work and always laughed when he would hear me speaking Spanish on the phone, because I was and am extremely gringa-looking! 
Mr. Higgins used to ask each new employee, "What time does your watch say?" Of course, the correct answer, which he told all of us, was, "It doesn't say anything. Watches can't talk!"
R. I. P.