In this restaurant spotlight, we showcase how restaurants like yours can benefit from Rewards Network. To support your business’s success and growth, we offer a variety of solutions such as flexible funding options and marketing services. From December 2021 to December 2023, Rewards Network helped Pinch Kitchen and Bar generate:

• 1,532 member dines
• 61 member dines on average per month
• $144,066 in Rewards Network member spend

Download this free infographic today to learn how we brought value to Pinch Kitchen and Bar and how we could do the same for your restaurant.

Statistics are cited within the infographic.

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In this restaurant spotlight, we showcase how restaurants like yours can benefit from Rewards Network. To support your business’s success and growth, we offer a variety of solutions such as flexible funding options and marketing services. From June 2021 to June 2023, Rewards Network helped Ah’ Pizz generate:

• 1,379 member dines
• 18 member dines on average per month
• $100,602 in Rewards Network member spend

Download this free infographic today to learn how we brought value to Ah’ Pizz and how we could do the same for your restaurant.

Statistics are cited within the infographic.

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In this restaurant spotlight, we showcase how restaurants like yours can benefit from Rewards Network. To support your business’s success and growth, we offer a variety of solutions such as flexible funding options and marketing services. From February 2021 to February 2023, Rewards Network helped Southpark Seafood generate:

• 3,812 member dines
• 2,169,338 email and website impressions
• $418,852 in Rewards Network member spend

Download this free infographic today to learn how we brought value to Southpark Seafood and how we could do the same for your restaurant.

Statistics are cited within the infographic.

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In this restaurant spotlight, we showcase how restaurants like yours can benefit from Rewards Network. To support your business’s success and growth, we offer a variety of solutions such as flexible funding options and marketing services. From February 2021 to February 2023, Rewards Network helped Catch of the Day generate:

• 5,382 member dines
• 5,799,114 email and website impressions
• $453,142 in Rewards Network member spend

Download this free infographic today to learn how we brought value to Catch of the Day and how we could do the same for your restaurant.

Statistics are cited within the infographic.

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In our case study, see how we helped The LowBrow Joints generate over $551,500 in all-time member spend, while also supporting restaurant updates via our:

• Flexible funding options
• Local and national full-price-paying customers
• Customer data and analytics
• Verified customer reviews

Download this free case study to discover how Rewards Network can provide your restaurant with funding, resources, and insights to help grow your business.

Statistics are cited within the case study.

The post Case study: The LowBrow Joints—A dynamic relationship with three Florida restaurants appeared first on Rewards Network.

Gangnam Sushi & Grill

Location: Tempe, Arizona

Owner: Johnathan Park

Cuisine type: Japanese, mainly sushi

Favorite dish: Stir-fried octopus

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We cater to the general public. We try to make sure everything is made from scratch—all our sauces. We try to keep as traditional as possible with a modern twist.

What has owning a business taught you?
A lot of people think owning a business means you get to do whatever you want. It is the opposite—you are on duty 24-7. You have to focus on the minor details all the time. You are always on the grind. You have to be able to know and do everything if you are going to ask others to do something. You have to remember that people who work for you chose to work for you. And you don’t order them around, it is a request. There must be a mutual level of respect.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
Be ready to be stressed. There will always be stress. Don’t expect things to go smoothly, there will always be things that go wrong.

Bone Kettle

Location: Pasadena, California

Owner: Eric Tjahyadi

Cuisine type: Indonesian dishes that revolve around slow-cooked bone broth

Favorite dish: Oxtail dumplings

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We are family owned and operated. Our menu is a true collaboration and a reflection of our team’s experiences, interpretations, and love for Southeast Asian cuisine. We’re proud to be a part of the Old Pasadena community of small businesses and mom n’ pop restaurants. We love showcasing our culture in an uplifting and inspiring way and we always hope that customers come through the door to experience something new and adventurous.

What has owning a business taught you?
You will make a ton of mistakes and fail many times, but you’ll learn how to get back up.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
Approach everything with wonder/curiosity and an open mind, but never lose sight of your vision. Be prepared for changes and being uncomfortable.

Dragon Flame

Location: Tempe, Arizona

Owner: Kun Mao

Cuisine type: Northern Chinese

Favorite dish: Lemon chicken

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
Our food is healthy. We use real bone broth and real ingredients. We are the only restaurant in Arizona that serves a lot of the dishes that we have, for example we serve lemon chicken which is the ancestor of orange and pineapple chicken. We have customers from Los Angeles and New York who come here for the chicken. Our fried rice is genuine Chinese fried rice rather than the Americanized version, our materials are imported from China. I am so happy to spread the Chinese culture through food.

What has owning a business taught you?
To have people skills, be calm, and have patience. Adversity is normal and something everyone has to learn to overcome. Details matter. Do not cheat on the steps, the ingredients, and the care. Be serious. Cooking food is not only cooking food. How to encourage people. I learned to appreciate that every day, I am creating a legacy.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
Do not think the restaurant is only cooking. Learn people skills, pay attention to details, and control your emotions. The easy way is not always the best way. Quality ingredients and pride in your food matters.

Happy Baos

Location: Mesa, Arizona

Owner: Matthew Ma

Cuisine type: Chinese

Favorite dish: Xiao Long Bao aka soup dumplings

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We specialize in handmade dumplings, noodles, and baos—family recipes passed down through generations.

What has owning a business taught you?
Planning and organization can help you a lot along the way.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
If you want to open a restaurant, make sure that you know how to do the work, build a system so you don’t have to always be present, and build a good work environment for your employees.

Soosanghan Pocha

Location: Palisades Park, New Jersey

Owner: Sung Kim

Cuisine type: Korean and pub food

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We are a Korean pub with a bar, karaoke, and outdoor dining. We are an entertaining place and a lot of fun. We can host indoor and outdoor parties.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
Work hard and always be prepared to invest in upgrades.

Hon Machi Sushi & Cocktails

Location: Chandler, Arizona

Owner: Jungsuk (Jackie) Byun

Cuisine type: Japanese, sushi, and Asian Fusion

Favorite dish: Salmon sushi

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We have a great fresh sushi selection and non-sushi items as well for everyone to enjoy. We offer fast and caring service.

What has owning a business taught you?
I am happy to see people smiling when they walk out from my restaurant. It taught me to be patient and taught me about building great customer relationships. If you care, the customer knows it and appreciates your food. When people say nice things about my food it makes me happy and inspires me to keep on providing great food for them.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
If I put myself as a customer in a situation, I ask myself, “Was the food I bought a good value?” You must always be aware of what your customer cares about. When you care, people will come back. Marketing is important and you must search the demographics around your location. If you go somewhere with less competition, it can be easier.

We hope this spotlight on AAPI-owned restaurants has inspired you to try new foods and support local businesses. Each of these featured restaurants are a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of AAPI entrepreneurs, who have successfully brought their culinary visions to life. Thank you to all the wonderful AAPI-owned restaurants that allowed us to share their stories and advice.

The information contained in this digital content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as providing tax, legal, accounting, career, business, or other professional advice. You should consult your own professional advisors before engaging in any course of action. Restaurant owners were not compensated for their participation in this blog.

The post Q&A: Celebrating AAPI-owned restaurants appeared first on Rewards Network.

In this restaurant spotlight, we dive into why partnering with Rewards Network is worth the investment. From flexible funding options to marketing services, Rewards Network offers many solutions to help support your restaurant’s success. Through this partnership, Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita has seen: 

• 5,134 member dines 
• 68 member dines on average per month 
• $511,171 in Rewards Network member spend 

Download this free infographic today to learn how we brought value to Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita and how we could do the same for your restaurant. 

Statistics are cited within the infographic.

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In this restaurant spotlight, we dive into why partnering with Rewards Network is worth the investment. From flexible funding options to marketing services, Rewards Network offers many solutions to help support your restaurant’s success. Through this partnership, Midway Pub locations have seen:

• 2,580 member dines 
• 34 member dines on average per month 
• $107,262 in Rewards Network member spend 

Download this free infographic today to learn how we brought value to these Midway Pub locations and how we could do the same for your restaurant.

Statistics are cited within the infographic.

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In this restaurant spotlight, we dive into why partnering with Rewards Network is worth the investment. From flexible funding options to marketing services, Rewards Network offers many solutions to help support your restaurant’s success. In the last two years, Havana Café has seen:

• 1,741 member dines
• 73 member dines on average per month
• $115,240 in Rewards Network member spend

Download this free infographic today to learn how we brought value to Havana Café and how we could do the same for your restaurant.

Statistics are cited within the infographic.

The post Infographic: Havana Café appeared first on Rewards Network.

Baby’s Burgers

Location: Vista, California

Owners: Erica Escontrias and Lori Barbera

Cuisine type: Burgers

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We serve delicious, ½ lb. gourmet burgers in a fun, lively brewery offering both beer and wine.

What has owning a business taught you?
I have learned you need to be involved in all aspects of your business and lead by example with regard to your staff.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
It’s a tough business but very rewarding when you see your concept operating successfully.

Red Stix Street Food

Location: Dallas, Texas

Owner: Uno Immanivong

Cuisine type: Pan-Asian and Asian-fusion

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
Red Stix Street Food, located in Dallas, Texas, beautifully captures the sights, smells, and tastes of Asian street food. The menu is the culmination of my childhood memories in Thailand and my ongoing adventures as a globetrotter. The finishing flourish of each hand-crafted bowl or bánh mi are Red Stix: our signature yakitori skewers. Each of the Stix is threaded with morsels of chicken, pork, or steak bathed in a silky, umami-rich marinade and grilled over binchotan charcoal.

I’ve always been grateful for the life I’ve been afforded as an immigrant born in a Thai refugee camp. My parents instilled at a very young age the value of hard work and giving back to the community as others had given to them when they came to America. I’ve been fortunate to have a successful banking and hospitality career due in large part to the individuals that have mentored and believed in me, along with the community that continues to support the business. I have been a chef facilitator for the Cooking Matters program run by the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB). More recently, I have nourished volunteers, front-line workers, and healthcare heroes during the pandemic by providing over 100,000 meals for COVID testing and vaccination sites. I was also the caterer for the homeless community impacted by COVID and isolated at the West Dallas Rec Center and women and children of domestic violence for the Genesis Women’s Shelter. I was able to accomplish this from donations, fundraisers, and volunteers. I currently serve on the Advisory Council for the NTFB and am looking to build a community children’s garden in Farmers Branch, Texas. I will continue to serve others to leave the world a better place than I found it.

What has owning a business taught you?
Owning a restaurant has taught me humility and perseverance. There are many days that I’ve planned for, and other days, I’ve had to pivot, problem solve, and keep moving. I appreciate the moments of success so much more because of it.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
If this is your dream, do it. Set small goals towards your vision, keep the promises you’ve made to yourself to make your dreams a reality, if you fail, fail better next time. These tiny steps add up to big leaps.

Hambone’s Smokehouse

Location: Bellflower, California

Owner: Lillian Bitar

Cuisine type: Real California barbecue

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
I would like people to know that we serve quality smoked barbecue using the finest cuts of meat. We also have some delicious seafood options and even have a very tasty vegan fried rice!

What has owning a business taught you?
I would say it has taught me to be resilient above all else. I feel that my role is something that I have grown into and have learned a great deal along the way. COVID was a scary time of uncertainty and even now, trying to navigate each day with these major cost increases, teaches me to focus on each day and look for creative solutions. I am happiest when I am busy with my work and dealing with people one on one.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
To be honest, owning a restaurant is a lot of hard work with many moving parts. Make sure cleanliness is first and foremost and maintain freshness and consistency of your food. Surround yourself with people who have had experience in this field and don’t be afraid to literally roll up your sleeves and work. A restaurant owner really needs to learn all aspects of the business including washing dishes from time to time!

Mo’ Better Brews

Location: Houston, Texas

Owner: Chasitie Lindsay

Cuisine type: Vegan

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
Our favorite saying is, “We have great food that just happens to be vegan!”

What inspired you to open a restaurant?
After having several successful vegan concepts (food trucks, events, and store), we knew a brick and mortar was the next step. It has always been Chef Courtney’s dream to become a restaurateur, so when the opportunity came about, we knew it was God’s perfect timing.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a restaurant owner?
Seeing our vision come to life has been the biggest reward. We wanted to see people of all demographics coming together to enjoy the good food and music offered at our restaurant. It’s a beautiful thing to witness!

What challenges have you faced as a restaurant owner?
One challenge we have faced has been trying to find consistent revenue growth according to the market.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
I would say that one should make sure their quality and consistency go hand in hand. Never do anything halfway, do everything with excellence or not at all.

Stevie’s Pizza Plymouth

Location: Plymouth, Massachusetts

Owners: Juliana Hauch and Juliana Martins

Cuisine type: Greek-style pizza, calzones, subs, salads, and wraps

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
Freshly prepared food to best serve our customers. We make our pizza dough daily. We’re owned by women and ran by women.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a restaurant owner?
Personal and professional success.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
Always run after your dreams and goals.

Kunstler Brewing

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Owner: Vera Deckard

Cuisine type: European Gastropub

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
Our vision was to have a place that tracked with the community where neighbors and families could come together.

What has owning a business taught you?
Initially, I thought I would create a great experience with a great product and people would come. I quickly realized that I need a great team as well. That realization taught me how to be a leader and how to lead from behind. I don’t own this business; the community and my staff own this business. I see it very much like raising a child, it takes a community.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
However long you think it will take you to open up, triple it and however much money you have in your budget, try to triple that as well! Learn to be flexible. There are so many things that happen that you don’t plan for. Any given day that I walk in here, I don’t know what’s going to happen and you have to be able to learn and roll with the changes. Listen to your staff and listen to your customers too. The feedback from Rewards Network members is important to me because I glean either that we’re doing the right thing or that we should be shifting more into another direction. I like to be open and listen to everything. And don’t forget to be competitive on social media!

Great additional nuggets shared:
I’m the head brewer and owner here at Kunstler Brewing. When I first started there were no female brewers in San Antonio and there were one or two female brewers in Texas at the time. People ask me often, “What is it like to be a female in this industry?” It’s hard for me to answer that question because I don’t know what it is to be a male in the [brewing] industry! The majority of the industry is male, and I never ever had any issue with somebody looking down on me for being a female, but I think a part of that has to do too with the fact that I’ve always been very clear that I didn’t want to define myself by my sex or my age. I always wanted to define myself as just being an amazing brewer or business owner.

Thai House

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Owners: Pranee Chatayatham, owner and Benjawan Sukmanee, co-owner

Cuisine type: Thai food

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We are the oldest Thai restaurant around Oklahoma City. We still carry the same recipes from day one and when people dine with us they will for sure experience a true Thai taste.

What has owning a business taught you?
Owning a business definitely taught us to be resilient. And also taught us to be great problem solvers.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
“Don’t do it” (Pranee) Joking, but honestly do what you love and if it is in a restaurant field, know that it’s hard work. But to see your customers eating your food with joy, that hard work comes with a reward!

Therapy Wine Bar 2.0

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Owner: Angela Terry

Cuisine type: Classic American

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We are a vibe in Bed-Stuy. Our goal is to offer wine varietals in a non-intimidating way to complement various palettes.

What inspired you to open a restaurant?
I wanted to give back to my community and add the necessary amenities to uplift people.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a restaurant owner?
To meet new people and be a part of their celebrations.

What challenges have you faced as a restaurant owner?
It’s challenging to meet financial goals when there aren’t enough customers coming through our doors.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
You can accomplish your dreams just keep going!

Café Gratitude and Gracias Madre

Locations: Venice, California and West Hollywood, California

Owner: Lisa Bonbright

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
We are 100% organic, handmade, plant-based food and beverages. When you weave our offering into your everyday diet, you would be amazed at how great you feel.

What has owning a business taught you?
Running a successful business is all about teamwork. The family, caring environment we have created in our restaurants has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
The restaurant business is a 24/7 endeavor, so you have to be sure you love the world of hospitality.

Favorite dishes:
“I AM RESOURCEFUL” from Café Gratitude  
SHAVED KALE & BUTTERNUT  
radicchio, Tuscan kale, fennel, maple rosemary pecans, cashew mozzarella, balsamic dijon  
Lisa’s favorite dish from Gracias Madre is “The Madre Burger”

Rosa’s At Park

Location: Bronx, New York

Owner: Rosa Garcia

Cuisine type: Latin fusion

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
It’s Latina-owned, great food, one of the few restaurants in the Bronx with a rooftop and the only restaurant with all-day brunch on the weekends.

What has owning a business taught you?
To be humble, to excel in customer service which makes people continue to come and support.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
Be ready to work 24/7, but if it’s a passion of yours, you will love it and it will encourage you to do more.

Mallorca Restaurant

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Owner: Laurie L Torres

Cuisine type: Spanish and Portuguese

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
Mallorca is the most-awarded restaurant in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It’s iconic and a destination in the city. In fact, most who know Cleveland, will say if you didn’t visit Mallorca while in town, you missed the heart and soul of the city. The same chef and floor staff has been in place for over 25 years—a true testament to the family atmosphere cultivated by the restaurant. Mallorca is a fun fine dining spot known for its excellent cuisine that stems from my mother-in-law’s recipes from her kitchen in Spain. Our Spanish food is chalked with the delicacies of the sea and laced with unique flavors like saffron, smoked paprika, and white pepper. Fresh seafood and slow roasted meats abound, while your taste buds cheer at having something unique and original.

What has owning a business taught you?
After owning businesses in the real estate, marketing, law, and culinary fields, I think that nothing is as wonderful as the restaurant industry. It’s a place where people come to celebrate their joys and seek refuge from their sorrows. It’s a place where you are invited to raise a glass to your customers’ success and help them navigate their way through their failures. This industry is where life exists over the table of warm food, surrounded by ones who love you. There can be no greater joy, no greater feeling of contribution to the world, than creating an environment where life is celebrated in all its forms.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
Advice I would share is to remember that in order to create something that succeeds it can’t be just about the money. It has to be about being part of your community. It has to be about being more than just food. In the restaurant industry you are creating and nurturing emotions around the food. Great food and service are only the beginning of creating success for your business. Long-term success means long-term thinking. Nothing makes me happier than to hear the stories of how we have become a part of our customers’ histories while they have become a part of ours. With a loyal following for over 25 years, the soul of Mallorca is created by all the joy that has been celebrated here. It is that same joy that has allowed our success. The joy of service and the joy of being served in equal parts to make the perfect business venture.

The Pullman Restaurant & Bar

Location: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Owner: Jennifer Hammer, Two Dames Dining Group

Cuisine type: New American

What would you like others to know about your restaurant?
The Pullman Restaurant & Bar sits on the site of the original Bryn Mawr freight house circa 1879. The restaurant concept takes its cues from The Pullman dining cars of the 1940’s, offering guests a quintessential railcar dining and drinking experience but with contemporary twists including the glamorous Live Music Lounge where we offer live music five nights a week and we’re setting sights on the spring opening of the outside ‘10/14’ Bar on The Rails.

What has owning a business taught you?
To be successful, it all starts with having the right staff. You can’t build the best customer experience, present the best food and drink service, or make memorable dining experiences without them. We value our staff and they in turn help to give the best customer experience.

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners.
We think connecting with customers is extremely important. From how we take verbal reservations to speaking with customers during their dining experience, this allows us to build a strong understanding of what people want, what they like and what will make them return clientele.

Mexi-Q

Location: Mason, Ohio

Owner: Laura Volski Ramirez

Cuisine type: Smoked meats served Mexican style

What would you like others know about your restaurant?
With our catering services, we bring the food to you. Buffet-style catering and food truck style catering options are available.

What has owning a restaurant taught you?
Owning my own business is rewarding, yet extremely stressful!

What advice do you have for aspiring restaurant owners?
There is something so rewarding to put yourself out there and take a leap and have faith.

Juicehead Smoothies & Coffee

Location: Yorkville, Illinois

Owners: Megan Diaz (responding to questionnaire), Lauren Imbo, Jessica Gomez, and Rafael Gomez

Cuisine type: Handcrafted beverages and eats

What to know:
My sister, Lauren, and I conceptualized Juicehead together in 2020. With my brother-in-law, Rafael, and other sister, Jessica, we brought the vision to life. Our goal is to offer a wide variety of both healthy and indulgent foods and beverages. We offer smoothies, in-house cold pressed raw juices, smoothie bowls, locally roasted coffee and espresso-based beverages, and a variety of food items.

What has it taught us:
When you step away from “working for the man” it is more of a challenge than it is freedom. Every hour of every day you are thinking about how you can improve, what to do to stay up with the trends. When people call off you are the person that covers the shift. It is a lot more work than a 9-5, but it is so much more rewarding to have full creative control and to watch your business grow and evolve over time.

Advice:
Do a lot of research and development. See how others who have similar businesses run theirs. Take what you like, change what you don’t like. But don’t copy what others are doing, be unique and put your touch into everything. That’s what will make you special and what will make people return to you.

Strong, powerful, and successful women like these, impact the restaurant industry in positive ways and help pave the road for future women restaurant owners. Whether it’s always been a life-long dream to open a restaurant that honors family recipes or a mid-life career pivot to reignite a creative passion, each of our restaurant owners has a story that is uniquely their own and completely inspiring. A big thank you to all the amazing restaurants that allowed us to share their personal and heartening stories.

Restaurant owners were not compensated for their participation in this blog.

The information contained in this digital content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as providing tax, legal, accounting, career, business, or other professional advice. You should consult your own professional advisors before engaging in any course of action. Rewards Network assumes no liability for your use of, or reference to, this digital content. Customers who provide testimonials are not compensated for their contributions. We make no express or implied warranties or representations through the statements and/or opinions expressed by our customers, clients, or employees. Individual results on the Rewards Network platform will vary.

The post Q&A: Celebrating women-owned restaurants appeared first on Rewards Network.