Today we’d like to introduce you to John Seymour.
John, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Born & Raised in NYC I grew up in the hospitality industry next to my father who was the local bartender in my neighborhood. I learned a lot from him and my early experience growing up in a bar about creating community and taking care of people. I eventually went on to work in a few different industries including a 4-year stint as an electrician! I ultimately found my way back to the hospitality game and worked in a bunch of restaurants as a server and then bartender of a few of NYC’s most infamous nightclubs. It wasn’t until I met my wife, Fallon that I took the chance of opening my first spot. Together we opened ‘POP’s’, a burger joint in Williamsburg inspired by the early days of hanging with my father in the bar he worked at. In 2010 my wife and I had our twin girls and in 2012 we were expecting our 3rd daughter, when I decided to take a chance on another concept on N8th and Bedford, half a block away from Pop’s…That location would be Sweet Chick.
I had heard the story of how Chicken & Waffles originated in NYC and thought that it would be great to build a menu around that dish and offer fine Cocktails with a menu I like to call “New American Comfort Food”. A few months into Sweet Chick I realized we had something special when I looked around the room and saw the diversity and joy that Sweet Chick brought to people.
After the success of the first location, I found location #2 on the lower east side of Manhattan. Sweet Chick quickly became a hub for creatives & millennials and caught the attention of my favorite hip hop artist of all time, Nas. After a few meetings Nas came on board to help me grow the business and we have since opened in Los Angeles and Prospect Heights with another location opening in Queens very soon!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Hahaha. Of course not!! Although running a restaurant and building a brand is something I enjoy, it also presents many challenges. There are always problems that will arise, big and small, but it is part of the deal and getting through those problems is what is the most rewarding.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sweet Chick – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As the CEO of a budding restaurant brand, I oversee the daily operations of each restaurant, look for new opportunities for the brand and plan of the company. Of course, none of this can be done without an amazing team. Our team members from the floor staff, kitchen staff to the corporate team are our most important part of the Sweet Chick community. We specialize in hospitality and experience. If our team can’t communicate our values to the guests, we cannot succeed. We pride ourselves on having a great relationship with our crew and value them above everything. I like to think the restaurants and our staff have created a community that not only includes the guest but welcomes them into their club.
Contact Info:
- Address: 448 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Website: http://sweetchick.com
- Phone: (323) 592-3423
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetchicklife/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetChickLife
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sweetchicklife
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-chick-los-angeles
Image Credit:
Courtesy of Sweet Chick
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