If anyone had told you they were planning to build and open a restaurant during a pandemic, you’d probably think that person was a little crazy. But that’s exactly what Melissa Zettel did. Not only did she bring the North Carolina-based Burrito Shak restaurant franchise to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, some 2,300 miles west of its home base, she and her team are poised to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the fast-casual destination on Friday, November 11, 2022.
“We are much busier than we anticipated we would be in the beginning, but that’s not a bad problem to have,” Melissa states. “Burrito Shak was completely new to this part of the country, and we are so proud and happy that Lake Havasu City embraced us like they have. I think it says a lot about an establishment when you see the same faces coming in over and over again.”
How does someone who grew up in Chicago end up opening a franchise restaurant unknown in Arizona? According to Melissa, she has always been “entrepreneurial” and wanted to open a business with her family. With the support of her mother and sister, Kathy David and Nicole Petracco who serve as managing partners with Melissa, the dream became a reality, although it was not a stretch to say the least.
Researching opportunities, Melissa stumbled upon the Burrito Shak website and was immediately attracted to the vibe communicated through the look and feel of not only the restaurant website, but the Tex Mex cuisine being prepared fresh to order. She immediately shared with her husband, a fellow entrepreneur who owns a construction company, who not only commented how “great”’ it looked but asked when they could go there to eat.
Melissa and her team had planned to visit North Carolina and spend some time with founders David and Kara Longo in early 2020, just prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. Because of restrictions placed on travel as a result, that trip had to be postponed several times until later in the year. When they were finally able to make it to the Carolinas, Melissa said it was extremely positive and she was thrilled the vibe portrayed through the website mirrored real life.
Although she admits she anticipated “some criticism” when they finally opened their doors to the public, due mainly to the menu as Mexican restaurants are in abundance in Arizona, she said the positivity has outweighed any of that. And while Melissa admits the traffic flow is steady and they work many long days, she says it’s far less stressful and far more energizing, signaling to her that franchising with Burrito Shak was a smart decision.
“Community and customer service is such a big part of the success of this brand and we work hard and provide the best-possible customer service every day,” said Melissa. “A smile really does go a long way.”
According to the National Restaurant Association, approximately 30 percent of new restaurants will close their doors in the first year. For Melissa, opening a business during a time of economic uncertainty wasn’t the original intention, but she and her team are clearly defying the odds and show no signs of slowing down and said they wouldn’t be here without their customers and “amazing” staff. Moving forward, she is hoping to bring more Burrito Shaks to Arizona – and beyond.
Are you interested in bringing the Burrito Shak vibe to your local community? Request our 2023 Franchise Information Kit today to learn more about Burrito Shak franchise opportunities.