962: Sandy Korem Founder and CEO at Festive Kitchen

962: Sandy Korem Founder and CEO at Festive Kitchen

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee February 2, 2023 Duration: 1:28:20

Sandy Korem is the Founder and CEO of Festive Kitchen in Dallas, TX. Sandy was a nurse long before she was the CEO of a catering company. She left a nursing career because of the hours and raised two kids. Then she began catering. She began in 1991 by baking brownies in a 100 sq. ft. commissary kitchen for a burger joint. Around 1996 was when she had her first true catering experience cooking for 100 people at a house party. She then moved on to a 1,400 sq. ft. kitchen and grew her business. In 2011 she created a separate retail space for selling her baked goods. Today, Festive Kitchen has 4 locations and 2 of them are retail locations.

Unstoppables! Please consider taking this survey about our listener demographics so that we can better determine how to best serve our listeners. Less than 10 simple questions. Here is the link: CLICK HERE

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favor success quote/mantra:

  • "Don't panic; punt."

In this episode with Sandy Korem we will discuss:

  • Catering
  • Starting with no experience
  • Starting small
  • A first catering experience
  • Experiencing an egg recall for thousands of products
  • Budget
  • Packaging
  • Systems!

Today's sponsor:

For restaurants, large costs can pop up fast, but traditional loans are too slow. That's why you need Zinch – They're a direct lender that can fund up to $250,000 in less than 2 days. Apply online and you can get a response within 24 hours. Right now, my listeners get their application fee waived by going to financingthatworks.com. Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license.

Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact:

Email: sandy@festivekitchen.com

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Sandy Korem for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Podcast Episodes
430: Part 1- How to open a restaurant with NO MONEY- Justin Severino [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:44
In this episode with Chef Justin Severino we discuss: The power of a team working to serve the same mission. Speaking up if you need help. How school helped Severino stay on one path. Taking a job for what you're going t…
429: Growth from within with Raji Sankar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:05
In this episode with Raji Sankar, we discuss: Freedom by way of discipline. Anything being possible. The story behind Choolaah. Creating jobs where people meet their full potential. Buying into a franchise model to learn…
428: Don't be a dick with Keith Fuller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:42
In this episode with Chef Keith Fuller, we discuss how the people of this industry are what drew him in, establishing a culture of continuous work, never saying no to your guest, getting rid of the friends who pull you i…
427: Put your nose down and shine- Bill Fuller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:10
In this episode with Chef Bill Fuller, we discuss: how Chef Fuller got his start in the industry, where the culture of being "hard" in the restaurant industry comes from, correcting the behavior, not the person, as sous,…
425: Life is too short not to just do it with Joe Fontana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:16
In this episode with Joe Fontana, we discuss the power of small daily improvements, how it all begins with making the choice to start, what Joe loves about the industry, advice on recruiting/staffing team members, findin…
424: Today is the best day of your life with Brian & Brad Wasik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:36
In this episode with Brian and Brad Wasik, we discuss the history of Wasik's Cheese Shop, what growing up in a family cheese shop was like, never "aim an unloaded gun", the results of treating the assistants, secretaries…
423: Succeed by raising standards with David Allred [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:56
In this episode with Dave Allred, we discuss how he got his start in the industry, always growing, creating habits, listening to your employees, the importance of standards, not standardizing personality, making sure you…
422: Combating Fraud and Misconduct with Juliette Gust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:03
In this episode with Juliette Gust, we discuss how the moral and behavioral standards trickle from the top down, how employees should handle being sexual harassed, how employers should handle sexual harassment, what NOT…
421: Be a game changer with Bobby Marcotte and Bobby Buivid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:37
In this episode with Bobby Marcotte and Bobby Buivid, we discuss how both Bobbys got into the industry, being original, changing the game, creating something from nothing, immersing yourself in the industry to get ahead,…