Why Dick's Fries are Selling Better Than His Political Agenda

"It takes a while to get the wheels moving," he says, dismissing any notion of apathy. The Spadys expect to generate more interest once the forum's first topic is announced. (Officially it's hush-hush, but word is the topic will probably be transportation.)

Jim Spady says they'll buy some radio spots to find volunteers if it comes to that, but for now they're going to spend a few more weeks relying on word of mouth. (His dad is footing the bill for the effort, which the county estimates could cost more than $100,000 annually.) "We'll do whatever we need to do to get our 1,000 so we can move forward," says Jim.

Might that eventually include free french fries or half-price cheeseburgers? "I don't think that we're going to go that far," he says. However, if they don't have the needed volunteers by spring, the Spadys plan to print the sign-up sheet on the back of Dick's signature white paper bags, a tactic that's been successful in the past in regard to the chain's annual scholarship drive. "If we don't have 1,000 by March, that will put us over the top," Jim predicts.