For Further Information, Please Contact:
Rosalind Katz (404) 843-2803
Atlanta-based My Friend's Place Background Information
An American Dream Story-Square 1
(April 17, 2002, Atlanta, GA) Atlanta based My Friend's Place is pleased to share a part of the history of the people and events that created this 21 year old sandwich chain business, announced Vice President Rosalind Katz today. Dave Katz, and wife Rosalind, actually second mortgaged their home to create their dream, a business of their own. There were neighbors and friends who all became a part of the creation of My Friend's Place in the very beginning, back in 1980.
Dave and Rosalind Katz, had been residents of Cobb County since 1975. It was 1980 when Dave (a stockbroker and accountant) and Roz (a registered nurse), took stock of their lives. They wanted to form a business that would allow them to serve more wholesome food in a friendly, warm environment, afford them a decent living and permit them time to spend with their two young daughters. From these goals, the idea for My Friend's Place was born. The name was selected to convey the idea that the restaurants would serve the same high quality food in the same hospitable atmosphere that Dave and Roz would offer in their own home. The couple affirm that My Friend's Place was named to honor the many friends and family members who became a part of the team to help them reach their dream of opening their own sandwich shop business.
SQUARE 1
Raising money to start the business was understandably the most difficult for Dave and Roz, and so they called it "Square 1", knowing that if they could obtain financing, they could build their sandwich shop and leave Square 1 behind. The only means of financing their dream was through their home. As in every story, there are always roadblocks, and Dave and Roz had a huge one to overcome. There were people renting their home at the time they were ready to start their business venture.
The couple laugh as they recall the first of many miracles (pieces of the puzzle coming together to get the couple off Square 1), that occurred that would allow them to pursue their dream. They had been staying with friends in Sandy Springs and had just returned from a meeting with their bank where they were told they could not receive any kind of loan against their Cobb County home while people were renting the property. There is not a clear lien for the bank and therefore, the final source of financing for the business was looking very cloudy. The couple was devastated and heartbroken and decided to go for a jog.
They ran a few miles in complete silence and as they approached the huge water tower, just past Arlington Cemetery (on Mt. Vernon Rd. in Sandy Springs), they both stopped jogging and looked at each other and both said, at the very same time: "of course we can do this, we will just ask the renters to move and offer to pay for any of their expenses.
It was as if a light bulb had flashed at both of them, in the same moment. They were confident and happy and nervous and exhilarated. The would be entrepreneurs had a plan.
The next day they visited Charles and Mary. Charles, a Lockheed employee from San Francisco, was on assignment in Georgia and he and his wife were renting the Katz family home for a few years. Dave and Roz shared their business dream and the news from the bank that the loan would only be available if there were no renters. At first Charles and Mary were silent. Then Charles asked: "And so you are asking us to move?" Roz and Dave nodded. Again silence. And then Mary, a devout Christian assured the group that all would be well. The Lord is here for all of us, and this will be just fine. Dave and Roz couldn't believe their ears. More signs from above that they were on the path towards their dream. That meeting ended with hugs.
Two days later, Charles and Mary told Dave and Roz the following story:
There was a party that Charles and Mary attended where there were other Lockheed employees, including Charles's supervisor. Charles made an announcement to the room that he was getting kicked out, and asked if anyone had any knowledge of homes in the area that they could rent. Charles's supervisor then said, "As long as you can get out of your lease, we really need you back on the West Coast, now.
Roz and Dave watched as the moving van rolled away just 3 weeks later, carrying the goods of Charles and Mary and creating a home which was now free of renters and available for the financing of their sandwich shop business. Lockheed paid to move the couple, adding a little extra in the loan for Roz and Dave to spend on their business because they didn't have any tenant moving expenses.
Just a few short months later, in December, 1980, Roz and Dave opened the first My Friend's Place Sandwich shop in Sandy Springs, GA. By 1990, the couple had opened their sixth company-owned My Friend's Place location. Deciding that they could not continue to offer the levels of quality, service and consistency that had become the hallmarks of their sandwich shops, Dave and Roz turned to franchising. Their goal in their franchise program was to ensure that a committed owner operator who shared the
company vision was on site at each location. They grew their franchise program slowly for the first few years in order to enable them to learn their roles as Franchisors and to maintain the highest standards. The company has pursued a more aggressive expansion plan recently, opening 6 stores in 2001.
My Friend's Place offers top quality sandwiches, salads, soups and homemade desserts, all made fresh on premises from the best ingredients to exacting standards. Some of the chain's specialties include Chunky Chicken Salad stuffed in freshly baked pita bread, the favorite Tuna Mushroom Melt, the popular Pita Veggie as well as traditional deli type sandwiches including a Turkey Bacon Club. The desserts are divine including carrot cake and fudgy brownies, homemade in their own bakery.
The restaurants also provide quality, reliable corporate catering for meetings, parties and other events.
For more information on My Friend's Place, please call (404) 843-2803 or (800) 882-9436 or visit my-friends-place.com.
