Conflict of Interest???

Be as candid as you want with this, because I'm really looking for some input.

I'm not sure about which way to go with someone I am considering hiring, and I am a little bit gun shy lately. Individual seems qualified and is available for the part time hours I am looking for. Personality seems fine, and all that - not knock your socks off, but acceptable. But, person has another job at a restaurant that has similar menu to mine, although they do not deliver (Yet????). The plan is to work both places. Now, this other restaurant has been open a lot longer than I have, and the owner has just gobs more experience than I do. It's hard for me to imagine that anyone over there could possibly have anything to learn from me - except maybe the delivery end of the business. Even though what I do could be considered "fast-casual" ( a term I am already getting tired of hearing!) and they are more along the lines of a Chili's type place, we are both Southwestern, and our market consists of the same folks. So, they are kind of a competitor, I guess, even though they are sit down & drink and I'm delivery/take-out. I'm not sure how comfortable I feel having someone work for me who also works for a competitor, no matter how many miles ahead of me that competitor may be. Am I just being weird?

Another thing that causes me a little concern, and I'm wondering if anyone else ever runs acsross this, is that I practically had to beg him to completely fill out the application. I actually see this a lot on the level I'm at - what seem to me to be cooks sort of working the local circuit, making a lot of lateral moves. Many of them hand me half filled out applications, like they are so sure they can just get a job anywhere, any time, that it doesn't matter. Maybe I make to much of it, read too much into it, I don't know. Another applicant came by with a meticulously filled out application. Student in the honors program. Responsible work history. Outstanding demeanor. Zero restaurant experience. I'm thinking of hiring that one instead. Thoughts?


I should point out as well that my shareholders are not too crazy about the idea of me hiring someone who works for a competitor. They first brought it to my attention when I mentioned the applicant. I have the final say, but there are concerns.

RF