Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa and Charley Hailbronner.
Vanessa and Charley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Charley went to the Art Institute of Houston and studied Culinary Arts and I went to the University of Texas at Austin and studied Business Management. We started dating and thought that opening our own little cafe would be a great way for us to combine our two skill sets and get to spend time together. We figured that if I got a job with my degree, I would work days and he would be mainly working nights and weekends.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The restaurant is in a strip center that was built in the 1970’s. Everything that could go wrong, break down, or die entirely, did! The whole place was basically held together with duct tape. Also, we bought an existing business that had a lot of “ill will” that we had to overcome! I think at first, our only clientele were brave men that worked in the area. It took a long time before we started seeing women and families coming in. We are located in the Energy Corridor so we have had to ride the wave of the oil booms and busts. There have been some really tough financial times, especially, when there is a large reduction in workforce in your immediate area.
Freddy’s Cafe – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Freddy’s specializes in quick breakfast and lunch and corporate catering. Our most popular item for breakfast is our breakfast tacos. We have a large variety of tacos and the word is, that they’re legit. We also make and bottle our own fresh roasted salsa that keeps our customers coming back for more!! At lunch time we are known for our burgers, salads, wraps and homemade soups and dressings! Freddy’s Ranch and Caesar dressing has their own fan base!! For catering, we do boxed lunches, pastas, burger bars, and custom caterings. We are really proud of how much we have seen the business grow from when we first started!!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
We define success as when our customers are well fed and happy!!! The main marker that makes us feel successful is when a customer comes to us after a meal and tells how much they enjoyed it and that they will be back soon!!
Contact Info:
- Address: 16830 Barker Springs Ste. 400
Houston, TX 77084 - Website: www.freddycafe.net
- Phone: 281.579.2288
- Email: vanessa@freddyscafe.net
- Facebook: Freddy’s Cafe
- Yelp: Freddy’s Cafe
