SKU: 57241238037

House of Plenty: The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Luby's Cafeterias

Sale price$22.15 Regular price$24.61
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $6.15 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 24 - Jul 29

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

House of Plenty: The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Luby's CafeteriasScarred by the deaths of his mother and sisters and the failure of his father's business, a young man dreamed of making enough money to retire early and retreat into the secure world that his childhood tragedies had torn from him. But Harry Luby refused to be a robber baron. Turning totally against the tide of avaricious capitalism, he determined to make a fortune by doing good. Starting with that unlikely, even naive, ambition in 1911, Harry Luby

Scarred by the deaths of his mother and sisters and the failure of his father's business, a young man dreamed of making enough money to retire early and retreat into the secure world that his childhood tragedies had torn from him. But Harry Luby refused to be a robber baron. Turning totally against the tide of avaricious capitalism, he determined to make a fortune by doing good. Starting with that unlikely, even naive, ambition in 1911, Harry Luby founded a cafeteria empire that by the 1980s had revenues second only to McDonald's. So successfully did Luby and his heirs satisfy the tastes of America that Luby's became the country's largest cafeteria chain, creating more millionaires per capita among its employees than any other corporation of its size. Even more surprising, the company stayed true to Harry Luby's vision for eight decades, making money by treating its customers and employees exceptionally well. Written with the sweep and drama of a novel, House of Plenty tells the engrossing story of Luby's founding and phenomenal growth, its long run as America's favorite family restaurant during the post-World War II decades, its financial failure during the greed-driven 1990s when non-family leadership jettisoned the company's proven business model, and its recent struggle back to solvency. Carol Dawson and Carol Johnston draw on insider stories and company records to recapture the forces that propelled the company to its greatest heights, including its unprecedented practices of allowing store managers to keep 40 percent of net profits and issuing stock to all employees, which allowed thousands of Luby's workers to achieve the American dream of honestly earned prosperity. The authors also plumb the depths of the Luby's drama, including a hushed-up theft that split the family for decades; the 1991 mass shooting at the Killeen Luby's, which splattered the company's good name across headlines nationwide; and the rapacious over-expansion that more than doubled the company's size in nine years (1987-1996), pushed it into bankruptcy, and drove president and CEO John Edward Curtis Jr. to violent suicide. Disproving F. Scott Fitzgerald's adage that "there are no second acts in American lives," House of Plenty tells the epic story of an iconic American institution that has risen, fallen, and found redemption-with no curtain call in sight.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Published: 04/01/2015
ISBN: 9780292726017
Pages: 288
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.65d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 57241238037

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.8 ★★★★★
Based on 19 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
J
Verified Purchase
Jean Paul
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Strong, Reliable Plates for Everyday Use
Style: 10 Inch, Size: 100 Count
These Dixie Ultra paper plates are a great upgrade from regular disposable plates. They’re strong and sturdy, so they don’t bend or leak even with heavier or saucy foods. Perfect for everyday meals, cookouts, or quick cleanups when you don’t feel like doing dishes. The 10-inch size is just right for full meals, and the pack lasts a good while. I’ve used them for hot foods without any issues—they hold up really well. Overall, dependable quality and worth paying a little extra compared to cheaper, flimsy options.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
1Meza
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Best Plates Ive ever known!
Style: 10 Inch, Size: 172 Count (Pack of 1), Style: 10 Inch, Size: 172 Count (Pack of 1)
If you’re tired of the "double-plate shimmy" where you have to stack two flimsy plates just to survive a barbecue, the Dixie Ultra 10-Inch Plates are a total game-changer. This 172-count bulk pack is the gold standard for anyone who actually likes to pile on the food. Why They’re Worth It: True Strength: The "3X Stronger" claim isn't just marketing fluff. These can handle a massive helping of steak, potato salad, and corn on the cob without folding under pressure. Soak-Proof Shield: They feature a high-quality coating that keeps grease and sauces from leaking through to your lap or your table. Microwave Safe: Unlike some cheaper alternatives, these don't get soggy or "wilt" when you're reheating leftovers. Value Size: Getting 172 plates (divided into 4 convenient packs) means you're set for multiple parties, holidays, or just those nights when you really don't want to do the dishes. Bottom Line: These are the "heavy lifters" of the paper plate world. They’re large enough for a full dinner and tough enough to handle the messiest meals. Highly recommended for anyone who values durability over price-point flimsy alternatives.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2026
L
Verified Purchase
lynn
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Quality disposable plates
Style: 10 Inch, Size: 172 Count (Pack of 1)
We purchase these again and again for their durability and thickness for our everyday use of disposable dinnerware. True to size and reliable.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2026
H
Verified Purchase
HB
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent
Style: 10 Inch, Size: 44 Count
These plates are my go to. Love the colors and the design. They are a perfect size and extremely durable. I use these almost everyday. Another great quality product
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026
P
Verified Purchase
Pamela
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Dixie is the best
Style: 10 Inch, Size: 44 Count
It's great for the price we like the bigger 10 inch plates,Sturdiness is great. Never have put it in the dishwasher, size is great color is great
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026

recommand products