Th3 Central BBQ+

From Navy Service to Culinary Success: The Journey of a Caribbean BBQ Restaurant

After retiring from the US Navy, Foday Sambolah and his wife decided to embark on a new adventure by purchasing a property with the intention of investing and flipping it. Foday, who had become a realtor, saw potential in the location, but soon discovered that the property required significant upgrades before it could be put on the market. Rather than selling it, he decided to transform the space into a Caribbean and BBQ restaurant, combining his skills and passions into an entrepreneurial adventure.

Starting the restaurant was not without its challenges. In addition to attending a BBQ school to learn the tricks of the trade, Foday and his wife had to learn the intricacies of the restaurant business, as they had no prior experience in running one. They also faced the financial strain of self-funding the entire project from their life savings and assets. Additionally, they had to ensure they were on the path to success by training staff to maintain high standards of food presentation and customer service.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) played a crucial role in their journey. The SBDC provided them with financial analysis, confidence, local connections, and resources. They also helped the couple with marketing, accounting, and understanding how to read their numbers compared to competitors. The City of Jacksonville's Office Economic Development is currently in the process of providing a facade grant, further aiding their efforts to make this restaurant stand out!

The couple's business strengths lay in the quality of their food and presentation, the inviting environment they created, and their commitment to excellent customer service. Foday says “we’re grateful for the support and guidance we received from our SBDC consultant, Taylor, who was knowledgeable, professional, and instrumental in giving us the confidence to grow our business”.

“We highly recommend the SBDC to other business owners, praising the wealth of resources, knowledge, and tools available through the consultants. Our journey from Navy retirees to successful restaurant owners showcases the impact of lifelong learning and the importance of leveraging local resources to achieve entrepreneurial success”.

Foday Sambolah, owner Th3 Central BBQ+