Today we’d like to introduce you to Doneica Murray.
Hi Doneica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve dedicated over 20 years to a professional career in healthcare. Yet, my passion for cooking and creativity in the kitchen has always been a constant. My deep love for food and the art of cooking is rooted in both my family background and my husband’s shared enthusiasm for gastronomy.
I vividly recall taking orders at my job and other businesses, staying up all night to prepare and deliver meals for months, all while continuing to work at the hospital. I relished every moment of it. It was during those late-night cooking sessions that I realized my dream of opening a restaurant, though I wasn’t sure of its scale.
With my Caribbean heritage, I even cooked and delivered Jamaican food in the mornings before heading to work. However, I knew I didn’t want to open just another Caribbean restaurant; I aspired to create something unique, something we hadn’t seen before and something that my research suggested hadn’t been done.
Interestingly, this dream took shape during the challenging times of the Covid pandemic. Through extensive research and our shared love for waffles and innovation, we discovered that we could turn this dream into a reality. With prayer, hard work, and meticulous planning, the Waffle Bar was born. Nearly two years later, we’re living the dream we envisioned.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening a restaurant has been quite a journey. Especially opening a restaurant without any prior experience in the restaurant industry has been far from smooth. Though not without its challenges. Some of the obstacles we faced included:
1. Financial Hurdles: Buildout cost, funding, managing initial costs, and ensuring a sustainable budget was a significant challenge.
2. Learning Curve: We had to quickly learn the intricacies of the restaurant business, from menu planning to kitchen operations.
3. Regulatory Red Tape: Navigating through various permits, licenses, and compliance with health and safety regulations was time-consuming.
4. Mistakes and Trial-and-Error: We made mistakes along the way, which often resulted in valuable lessons but also incurred costs and setbacks.
4. Hiring and Training: Identifying and hiring skilled and reliable staff members was a challenge, and we had to invest extra time in training…
5. **Marketing and Competition:** Building a customer base from the ground up and standing out in a crowded restaurant market requires effective marketing and differentiation strategies.
6. Operational Logistics: Efficiently managing day-to-day operations, from inventory to customer service, was demanding.
7. Operational Efficiency: We had to streamline operations and implement efficient processes without the benefit of prior experience.
8. Competition: In a competitive industry, standing out and attracting customers without the advantage of an established reputation was and still is very challenging.
Despite these obstacles, my determination, willingness to learn, and passion for providing a memorable dining experience have driven me forward. While the journey has been challenging, it has also been incredibly rewarding as we continue to learn and grow in this industry.
As you know, we’re big fans of Waffle Bar. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Nestled within Atlanta’s Southern Feedstore, Waffle Bar is on a mission to cater to every palate. Whether you crave the classic pairing of chicken and waffles or yearn to craft your own culinary masterpiece, we take pride in our commitment to using real, scratch-made ingredients, setting us apart from the rest. We bring a touch of Southern hospitality to every dining experience, ensuring you feel right at home.
Our menu boasts a delightful array of imaginative waffle creations, from the indulgent Strawberry Cheesecake to the irresistible Blueberry Crunch Cake and even savory options like Pimento Cheese and Jalapeño Cheddar. What’s more, we keep things fresh by introducing a new Waffle of the Month every month, ensuring a continuous stream of delectable sweet and savory creations. With our Monthly Waffle Surprises, our rotating Waffle of the Month means you’ll never run out of new flavors to explore, whether sweet or savory.
As for protein options, we offer a tantalizing selection of chicken tenders, wings, salmon bites, and shrimp, all seasoned to perfection with our house-blend seasonings crafted from scratch. But the customization doesn’t stop there. With over 15 topping choices, an array of fruits, and various protein combinations, you have the freedom to build your own waffle, tailoring it to your exact tastes and cravings.
What truly sets us apart at Waffle Bar is our unwavering commitment to quality and creativity. We stand out because of our Scratch-Made Ingredients: We take the extra effort to craft our waffles and seasonings from scratch, using real, high-quality ingredients. This dedication to authenticity ensures that every bite is bursting with flavor.
Our menu goes beyond the ordinary. We’re always experimenting with a new Waffle of the Month, ensuring a fresh and exciting experience for our customers.
In addition, we believe in giving you the power to customize your meal. With over 15 topping options, a variety of fruits, and protein choices, you can build your own waffle tailored to your unique tastes. Our protein options, including chicken tenders, wings, salmon bites, and shrimp, are seasoned to perfection with our house-blend seasonings, adding an extra layer of flavor to your meal.
At Waffle Bar, it’s not just about waffles; it’s about creating a memorable and customizable dining adventure that keeps you coming back for more.
What we’re most proud of is our ability to bring a unique and exciting dining experience to our customers. Our pride centers on several key aspects:
A Creative Menu: We take pride in our innovative and ever-evolving menu that offers a diverse range of waffle creations, from sweet to savory, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Our commitment to using scratch-made, real ingredients sets us apart and ensures the highest quality in every dish we serve. We’re proud of our customizable options, allowing our customers to build their own waffles with a wide array of toppings, fruits, and proteins, making each visit a personalized culinary adventure.
We are also proud of the introduction of a new and unique Waffle of the Month keeps our offerings fresh and exciting, and we take pride in surprising our customers with new flavors each month. And our house-blend seasonings for proteins, crafted from scratch, add a distinct and unforgettable flavor to every bite.
We’re proud to have established a community of food enthusiasts who appreciate our dedication to quality and creativity, and we’re grateful for the support of our loyal customers.
Overall, what makes us most proud is the opportunity to share our passion for food and creativity with our customers, offering them a dining experience that goes beyond the ordinary and leaves them craving more.
How do you think about luck?
Luck can play a role in any aspect of life or business, but it’s important to remember that success is a belief in something greater than just luck. It’s essential to recognize that luck alone is seldom enough. Hard work, hustle, sleepless nights, dedication, a strong business plan, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances are equally crucial factors in achieving success in this industry or any other business.
While luck can provide opportunities, it’s what one does with the limited opportunities that they have that truly matters.
Pricing:
- Chicken and Waffle combo less than $20.00
- Discounts to all students including college students
Contact Info:
- Website: gowafflebar.com
- Instagram: _Waffle_Bar
- Facebook: Waffle Bar Atlanta
Image Credits
Sharon Benton
