Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Rosen.
Hi Melissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I opened Locali with my business partner at a time when the association of health and convenience was a complete oxymoron. That was almost 15 years ago. When we opened, we added a deli table as a last-minute addition to our healthy convenience concept. Our deli menu subsequently became 90% of our business with many of our dishes winning media accolades and acquiring a cult-like following in several cases. We’re especially known for our vegan items like the Badass Breakfast Sandwich, Reuben, Calito Burrito and Warrior Smoothie. I love being an entrepreneur in food service and also coaching others, especially women, on how to start their own small businesses. I was originally on the path to an academic career, but after getting my master’s in graduate school, I decided to forgo pursuing a Ph.D. and study nutrition instead. The recipes we create at Locali reflect my background as a health counselor and the bold flavor profiles counteract preconceived notions on healthy eating. Everything we serve is full of flavor and there is truly something for everyone to enjoy at our restaurant.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We grew our business to four locations in Los Angeles and a packaged food line pre-Covid. We even sold a franchise territory in Miami at one point. We’ve also experimented with ghost kitchen locations. However, with the pandemic, our priorities shifted as my business partner and I both have young children at home. We decided to downsize for more quality family life and to pursue our mutual passion of helping other entrepreneurs. Now we have our flagship Locali, more licensing deals in the works and a new packaged food line coming to market for food service and retail. We also both work consulting restaurants, food tech start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs on all things small business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Locali is an OG in the healthy fast-casual movement. We serve soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and smoothies made with love and quality ingredients. Our food is beloved by celebrities, influencers and everyday foodies in the Franklin Village area of Hollywood. We have a diverse customer base of people from all parts of Los Angeles as well as tourists who are united by their appreciation of our take on healthy eating. We are a daily destination for a good portion of our clientele with some visiting us for multiple meals a day. We’re very excited to have added a robust coffee program this year with a delicious assortment of unique beverages. We also have a new array of vegan pastries like our guava turnover, chocolate rolls and jalapeño cheese croissant that accompany the drinks well.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
You can learn more about our business at www.localiyours.com and following us on Instagram at localiyours. For business coaching, check out my website at www.bemyguest.world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bemyguest.world
- Instagram: Localiyours
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar11
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/gM4H5PUpayb
