Building a Food Enterprise

Building a Food Enterprise

Thursday, November 17, 2005
6:00-8:00 P.M. (networking reception and Culinary Arts Museum Tour to follow)
Johnson & Wales University, Tyson Amphitheater

Food-related businesses come in several forms, including restaurants, franchises, small-event caterers, personal chef services, food and equipment supply/distribution, etc. This forum will address the “how to” of developing various forms of culinary efforts into rewarding and profitable businesses. Learn how the science of business fits into food enterprises from entrepreneurial-minded professionals that have helped themselves and others carve successful careers from this highly competitive industry.

Event Host: Ed Sullivan, Partner, KPMG

Venue Host / Co-Organizer: Larry Bennett, Professor and Director, Larry Friedman International Center for Entrepreneurship, Johnson & Wales University

Event Moderator: Peggy Farrell, Partner, Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP

Speakers:

Stephen J. McGarry, President & CEO, Paramount Restaurant Supply Corporation

Paramount Restaurant Supply Corporation is a world-wide leader in restaurant design consultation, foodservice equipment, millwork and installation services. Steve McGarry’s involvement with the company dates back to 1975 when he was first employed as a Showroom Salesman; he later became General Manager, followed by his appointment as President & CEO in 1992. The company has served New England since 1940, and today is ranked among the top 50 equipment suppliers nationwide. Paramount is highly recognized for its design and building of major upscale dining establishments as well as being a leader in chain development. Steve is Chairman of the Supply and Foodservice Alliance (SEFA) Board of Directors, and is also on the Board of Foodservice Distributors Association (FEDA). He has been recognized as a leader in Rhode Island hospitality, receiving the “Volunteer of the Year” award in 1991 and the Equipment & Supply Specialist “Young Lion Award” in 1996.

Ira Kaplan , President of AALEX Corporation

Ira Kaplan will address the importance of innovation in the food industry. Ira founded the AALEX Corporation in July of 2002 and currently serves as President and “Director of Thought” to this Management Consulting firm. In January of 2005, he opened IRINOX USA, a distribution arm for the Italian based manufacturer of Blast Chillers, Shock Freezers and specially designed Holding Cabinets of ice cream, pastry and chocolate. Ira is also co-owner of Equipment & Supplies Marketing, a manufacturer’s representative firm in New England.

Formerly, Ira was President of Servolift/Eastern Corporation, a manufacturer of Food Service Equipment for the mass feeding industry. He has been Director of the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturing for 10 years and became their President in February of 1989. He is an Affiliate Member of FCSI and The Society of Food Service Management; the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for The New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center; a member of the Board of Taste for the NFL, a hunger relief organization; and is a visiting Professor and “Executive in Residence” at Johnson & Wales University.

Ira has received the “Market Movers Award” from the Manufacturer’s Agents for the Food Service Industry, recognizing Ira’s excellence, leadership and integrity in the Food Service Industry. He has received the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers’ “William W. Carpenter Award” and the “Doctor of Food Service Award”. Ira has also received U P S’ “Distinguished Service Award” for two consecutive years for Food Chain, a Hunger Relief Organization.

In 1989, Ira Kaplan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University and in 1997 he received a Masters of Science Degree in Total Quality Management, also from Johnson & Wales University.

Amar Singh, President of the India Restaurant Group

Amar is originally from India and arrived in the United States about 20 years ago. He has worked in the hotel and hospitality industry ever since he graduated from high school. He worked in India for the Intercontinental Hotel Group, the Taj Hotel Group and for Meridian Hotels. Amar attended Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island and received a B.A. in Hotel and Restaurant Management as well as a Masters in Managerial Technologies. In 1991, just one and a half years following his graduation from Johnson & Wales, Amar opened his first restaurant located on Thayer Street in Providence called Curry-in-a-Hurry. Four years later he opened a second location in East Providence. In 1995, Amar opened India Café & Grille on Hope Street in Providence and opened a second location in downtown Providence one year later; at that point the name was changed to India and along with the name change came Amar’s new slogan: “We Add Spice to Your Life”. Two years later, a third location was opened in Warren and another shortly thereafter in East Greenwich. India has been voted Best of Rhode Island since 1997 for seven consecutive years. In 2001, Amar was the recipient of the Small Business Administration Small Business Person of the Year Award for developing an outstanding and growing business.

Marilyn A. Bogue, Team Leader and Economic Development Specialist, Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration is a federal agency with a mission to maintain and strengthen the nation’s econmy by aiding small businesses. SBA helps new businesses get started and existing businesses grow. The agency works with a vast network of lending and resource partners to help entrepreneurs realize the American dream of owning their own businesses.

Marilyn Bogue is the Lead Lender Relations Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration in Providence. She is responsible for ensuring that SBA’s 36 Rhode Island lending partners get the training and support they need to fully utilize SBA’s Guaranty Loan Programs for their customers. Marilyn makes certain that the SBA loan programs reach businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, exporters and those located in rural areas. Through her leadership, the Rhode Island SBA office consistently exceeded its assigned lending goals for the past 15 years.

Prior to coming to Rhode Island, Marilyn worked with SBA’s Disaster Assistance Division in locations ranging from New England to New Jersey, Louisiana, California, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. She is a graduate of University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She was awarded The Inspector General Award in 1991, and the Rhode Island Federal Executive Council named her Professional Employee of the Year in 1996.

SBA guarantees loans for start-up and expanding businesses throughout the country. In 2005 the agency guaranteed 98,000 loans nationwide, totaling $19 billion dollars. In Rhode Island, SBA guaranteed 908 loans for $102.2 million dollars.

Click here to view Marilyn's presentation

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