Off the Clock: CiCi’s Bob Kulick Is Upward Bound

CiCis Pizzas Bob Kulick is preparing for his greatest adventure yet-scaling Mount Kilimanjaro.

By Charles Bernstein, Editor-at-Large -- Chain Leader, 5/1/2006

Bob Kulick, president of JMC Restaurant Distribution, the purchasing, R&D and distribution arm of 600-unit CiCi’s Pizza, is preparing for the adventure of a lifetime. He and his two longtime buddies, Marc Lieberman and Sam Hess, are going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the largest mountain in Africa, in January 2007.

Making Friends
Taking on such a challenge is nothing new to the three friends. Kulick, Lieberman and Hess met in the mid-’70s when they were preparing to participate in an expedition taking them from Montreal to the Gulf of Mexico. During the two years of preparation and eight months on the trip, the three became close friends as they paddled canoes and hiked the 3,300-mile route.

Since that time they have gone scuba diving in the Keys, skiing in Canada, touring Napa Valley on bikes, and sailing in the Bahamas and Cayman Islands. They have also raced dirt bikes across the Baja desert, a trip that resulted in six broken ribs, a concussion, a black eye, an injured shoulder and numerous cactus thorns.

Now or Never
Last year they decided to tackle their toughest challenge yet—climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

“The months of physical preparation, both physical and mental, are well worth it,” declares Kulick. “It’s estimated that the mountain’s glacier will be gone by 2010. We definitely wanted to do this trip before that happens. We also had to face the fact that we’re 48, 49 and 50. It’s now or never.”

Kulick is preparing for the 19,340-foot climb with cardiovascular workouts at least three times a week: hiking, running or biking to improve aerobic capacity. “I spend a lot of time walking up and down stairs these days,” he emphasizes. “Down is just as important as up. Everyone focuses on their ability to climb. The muscles used to come down are often neglected, but they are just as important.”

The 13-day trip will take Kulick and team through five different ecosystems from rainforest to arctic tundra. “One of the toughest parts of the trip is acclimating to the tough altitude,” he explains. “This adventure is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we decided to do it right. We’ve hired one of the best outfitters in the business. And we want a good length of time rather than a quick trip. We’ll actually spend two days in one camp so that we can do better.”

Long-Term Effects
According to Kulick, these “stupid guy trips” allow the three friends to stay close, and keep him energized for his family and for running a pizza chain that spans 27 states. “I really feel that I’m a better family man and a stronger leader when I recharge,” he declares.

“The fun and the challenges on these trips open my mind to new experiences and often a new way of looking at life and work.”