Today we’d like to introduce you to Naro Mak #ThatChickenMan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Foods have always been around my family. After our immigration from Cambodia, we spent many years working on farm fields. Afterwards, we progressed into construction and finally able to save up enough money to open our first donut shop. Following many years of hardworking, we got involved with the Hartz franchise here in Houston and it was a great fit for our family. I spent 25 years staying away from the food/restaurant industry… only to come back and finally fall completely in love with it again… I am at home.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Restaurants are NEVER smooth. It’s NOT like the TV cooking shows, where all the hard work and grit (the true spirit of a restaurant) are on the editing floor. A year after taking over the Hartz Krispy Chicken on Pinemont location, the city of Houston decided to widen Pinemont that was two years of construction and almost had us close our doors. Fortunately, that first year I invested in my community of Garden Oaks/Oak Forest/Acres Home-my amazing neighbors came to our aid during construction, Harvey, Imelda, and now COVID 19.
I am blessed to be located in a neighborhood where people really, really, really care about the small business. In regards to other struggles, you name it, staff, vendors, city permits… maintenance, equipment… everyday was a new challenge. Restaurant people are cut from a different cloth. I credit my the United States Marine Corp infantryman training for guiding me through this… no matter how challenging the issue! You have to adapt, improvise, and overcome. For decades I hear people tell me to follow your passion, and it’s true. Because times do get dark, you will find yourself alone, the weight of the world WILL BE ON YOUR SHOULDERS and the only guiding light is your passion. Your passion, your fire will get you through!
Please tell us about Hartz Krispy Chicken On Pinemont.
Hartz Krispy Chicken on Pinemont is the local Garden Oaks/Oak Forest/Acres Home chicken house. We have been feeding this community for over 40 years, offering delicious Southern Comfort fares such as fried AND BAKED chicken, Hot wings, tenders, livers, and gizzards – 7 days a week. In addition, we also offer over 20 different sides for our community to choose from. Our dollar to food value sets us apart from our competition, for about $10 you can enjoy a mouth-watering all you can eat experience that includes seven entrees, 24 sides, and beverage included. It is possible to feed a family of six for under $50 here!
What I am really proud of most is my staff. Some of my staff members have been with my family for over 25 years-that says a lot as to how we operate our business. Not only do we feed our community tummies, but my staff and I are also very community-centric. We invest in our community, building relationships with the local American Legion Post 560 (where I was a Vice Commander), local elementary, middle, high schools, and local non-profits. HKCOP is a little restaurant that does gigantic things. When our community needs us, they never have to ask, were already on deck, sleeves rolled up, ready to adapt, improvise, and overcome!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Second grade… it was the first time I ever had pancakes seriously. At the time, my English was not good (I was still in ESL). My dad’s English was not great either, more like non-existent at the time. I went to a public school and the staff was offering pancakes and sausages. My father was reluctant to go as he was not comfortable in a public environment where he had to speak English. Going against his natural instinct, he took me and my younger brother Den. Looking back, it took a lot for my father to muster up the courage to do this, Imagine being in a country where you don’t speak the language and you are taking your two sons to a public school- scary stuff. I recall, after we received our pancakes, we where looking for the cash register to pay for our meal-only to find out, the pancakes and sausages where FREE courtesy of the school. My father turned to me, in Khmer (our native tongue, and said, “we are in a great country… they feed their students and their families here… we are fortunate. America is what they said it is.”
Contact Info:
- Address: Hartz Krispy Chicken On Pinemont
1215 Pinemont Dr
Houston, TX 77018 - Phone: 713-681-8050
- Email: hartzchicken111@gmail.com
- Instagram: hashtagthatchickenman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hartzkrispychickenonpinemont/
- Twitter: @HeightsChicken
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hartz-chicken-buffet-houston-29?osq=Hartz+Krispy+Chicken+On+Pinemont
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