Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Hesman.
Hi Andy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was an Area Director (for Chili’s Restaurants) for 30 years; I supervised up-to 14 restaurants. In 2017, Chili’s laid-off 125 employee’s (above restaurant level). After a job search, I decided to get out of the corporate world and go into business for myself. I had a friend (from many years ago with Chili’s) in Tampa who came up with a great concept, we joined forces and I opened the concept AJ’s Press Tasty Eats” in Longwood. My business partner lost his roof during Hurricane Irma on his Tampa restaurant and was not able to re-open, so now it is just myself and family owning/operating my Longwood restaurant.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a restaurant is a challenge with obstacles each and every day, people feel that because they like to eat, they should open a restaurant but most fail and fail quickly. We have been very lucky our hard work has truly made our family-owned restaurant a success with our strong, loyal guest base. There are many challenges along the way, but the biggest by far has been the Pandemic. This pandemic has challenged all businesses but in a restaurant where margins are razor-thin, success is measured by staying afloat.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a unique sandwich shop that focuses on people and quality, we have a unique menu for a sandwich shop that includes serving breakfast all day. We have fresh ingredients prepared on-site each and every day, we partner with a local Mexican bakery that produces great bread for our pressed Torta sandwiches. Not everyone loves bread, so we offer a great deal of our sandwiches and breakfast menu in a bowl. We combine great food with a family-owned restaurant making a connection with every guest! We have worked very hard to build that connection and our Yelp, Google and Facebook ratings show that.
What are your plans for the future?
We look forward to continue to build on our success and continue to grow our business and our loyal following.
Contact Info:
- Email: ajspresslongwood@gmail.com
- Website: ajspresslongwood.com
- Instagram: @ajspresslongwood
- Facebook: @ajspress
- Twitter: @ajspress
- Yelp: @ajspress
