Meet the owner
Who are you?
I am a 25 year old college graduate who always wanted to work in the food industry because of the money to be made as well as the assurance that me and my family will be fed in good or bad times like for example the impending recession.
What is your Business?
My business is Anthony Franco's Pizzeria in sunny and beautiful Livingston New Jersey. I help the customers decide what kind of food they want from our vast and informed menu of Italian dishes, I prepare the pizza, and sometimes I make sure all of our different Pepsi products are organized in the fridge because that's my favorite job and I did it in college.
How did you start your Business?
I started my business by taking a preexisting roster of the old pizzeria, laying off the no good employees, and hiring like crazy to determine who deserved to help my customers. So to say that I started my business with a customer-first-centric mission here in Livingston would be how I got to where I am with my business today.
How did you advertise your business?
Twenty-six years ago I advertised my grand opening in the local paper, a children’s magazine, and with flyers around town. Advertising was expensive so I attempted grassroots methods to get the word out such as phone calls, emails to family and friends, and a sign out front (which was quickly removed due to town ordinances). The most reliable method to attract new customers has been word of mouth referrals, positive reviews on Facebook and other social media, and participating in township wide events that keep our business name out there.
What were the biggest challenges when starting your business?
My biggest challenge was ridding the pizzeria with all of old management's strange characters that would frequent the store. There was the old homeless man "Prophet" who we would help out here and there until he was seeing it as an opportunity to spout his too little too late religious sermons to my unsuspecting and otherwise unworshipping customers. There was a guy who claimed to be able to get a hold of "anything" which I in turn tried to go undercover and see if it was true, but I suppose I had the stature of a policeman because he made me before I crossed the counter, which is for the best cause he doesn't come around anymore. There was Shuk a former delivery driver under past management who swore he was making money selling sneakers and didn't need employment but was asking for employment. To this guy's credit he could talk about anything, and was always talking his way through anything for hours and hours until I had to get police to get him to leave.
What motivates you?
It is not inherently money of couse but we live in a society which says that you need money to do things. So what motivates me are my nephews (and nieces), my second car which is a stick shift rear wheel drive sports car, and the dream of earning some reprieve and solace in my life.
What is your biggest achievement?
It is not inherently money of couse but we live in a society which says that you need money to do things. So what motivates me are my nephews (and nieces), my second car which is a stick shift rear wheel drive sports car, and the dream of earning some reprieve and solace in my life.
What are your top three priorities?
Consistency of taste
Consistency of service
Consistency of good jokes
What do you think makes a entrepreneur successful?
A willingness to be vulnerable, take risk, and avoid the trap of "perfection". It is more important to take steps forward, no matter how small or imperfect, than it is to wait until everything is "just right". Action bring results, and mistakes are learning opportunities that open doors you could have never imagined. And pay employees what they are worth.
What is success to you?
Success is a full oven and a busy kitchen.