“I took ballet for many, many years, which if you know how klutzy I am, that’s a surprise to many people.”
—Heather Neary, CEO, Taco John’s
In her monthly "Grab Bag" column, Editor in Chief Laura Michaels asks the tough questions—What superhero power would you most like to have? What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?—to show a side of franchising execs you don’t normally see.
Who would play you in the biopic about your life?
Kate Winslet. She’s really versatile as an actress, you know, just thinking about her character in ‘Mare of Easttown.’ And just her candidness and transparency about her life. She’s open about what it’s like aging in Hollywood. She’s like, ‘I’m 49, I’m not dead.’
What’s something not many people know about you?
I took ballet for many, many years, which if you know how klutzy I am, that’s a surprise to many people. I also really love to cook and bake and try new recipes. I would love to cook a gourmet meal every night but I just don’t have the time.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I hate laziness or that victim mentality. It drives me crazy. We all have different circumstances and some are more challenging that others, but there are people who want to just blame everyone else. Along with that, just complacency and lack of urgency, they drive me bananas.
What’s something you would seriously stockpile if you found out it wasn’t going to be sold anymore?
I do stockpile my running shoes. I run every day and I hate when Brooks decides they’re going to change up my favorite running shoes, so when I hear something about that, I’ll buy four or five pairs and keep them in my closet. Also protein shakes. And just athletic wear in general; I just ordered a ton more of it.
What’s one restaurant or food trend you wish would disappear?
What I think is strange, and maybe I’m not bougie enough, is that foam you’ll see some chefs or restaurants put on things. Not for me at all.
If you could be a member of any TV show family, which would it be?
Right now, I would say, ‘Shrinking.’ It’s crazy dysfunctional and also super sweet and endearing. The writing on the show is so great. I would want to be Gabby’s friend. She’s amazing.
Which time period in history would you want to visit?
I’ve watched ‘Bridgerton’ and I like costumes and the pomp and circumstance, but I wouldn’t want to live at that time, just visit. Or the U.S. in the ‘60s to watch the Civil Rights Movement take shape. My parents were alive during that time and the stories they tell are incredible.
What’s the most useless talent you have?
I’m double jointed in my shoulders so I can scratch my own back and zip up my own dresses. That’s my weird thing.
What superhero power would you most like to have?
I’d want to fly. I have a recurring dream where I fly and it’s my favorite dream; I want to have it every night. I have very vivid dreams, and in this one I go to an amusement park in my hometown in Pennsylvania and I’m in the parking lot and I pick up a discarded newspaper and it’s what makes me fly. I have this dream a lot and I always fly somewhere cool.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I pride myself on being a pretty clean, healthy eater, but I love junk food. Doritos, Fritos. I definitely lean toward the salty side. I have pretty good self-control and I can have junk food in the house and not eat it all, but if it’s a Super Bowl party and you’ve got the buffalo chicken dip, the cheese and crackers, all the appetizers, that’s when I dig in.