PEOPLE SELLING THE INDUSTRY

People Selling the Industry With Cary Miller

This month I am proud to be pictured with Richard Labriola, the owner of Stan’s Donuts, a chain of coffee shops. In 2014 Rich had the foresight to bring Stan’s Donuts to Chicago. Stan’s has a 50-year lineage of fame in Los Angeles. Rich formed a relationship with Stan, and the rest, as they say, is history. Rich also operates Labriola Bakery Café in Oak Brook, Labriola Chicago on Michigan Avenue, and two LaBarra Ristorante locations: one in Oak Brook and one in Riverside. Stan’s has 15 locations with another one opening soon in Rosemont, Ill. If you have not tried Stan’s yet, prepare to be impressed.

Scott Unter is the second generation of leadership at BrewSmart Beverage based in Rolling Meadows, Ill. Scott’s family-owned and operated company provides coffee and espresso machines to all types of food business. And because everyone loves different brands and types of coffee, BrewSmart offers dozens of well-known and loved brands and styles. Coffee can make or break a food business. Contact Scott to see how his company can add value to your operation. Being local and family owned, they are able to provide a much greater level of service and attention than many other companies. You can see the BrewSmart ad on page 13 of this issue. Dean Poulos is the third generation owner of Homer’s Ice Cream, a thriving wholesale and retail ice cream producer on Chicago’s North Shore. In 1935, restaurant owner Gus Poulos created his fi rst batch of homemade ice cream that was far richer and more satisfying than any other in that era, and a legend was born. Homer’s unusual fl avor combinations have earned them local and national acclaim, with accolades from Chicago magazine, Bon Appetite magazine and judges from the American Tasting Institute. Call Homer’s today for samples and a list of their seasonal fl avors. You can see their ad on page 28.

George Kanavos is the Chicago-area sales manger for Devanco Foods, manufacturers of gyros, chicken gyros, Italian beef, French dip, Italian sausage, pure beef hamburgers, marathon chicken burgers, plant-based foods, tzatziki sauce and other Greek and Mediterranean food products. Most of their products are packaged for food service and retail, with formulations that guarantee to develop a long-standing following for establishments serving their products. New from Devanco is their delicious fully cooked pot roast. Contact George today for a sample presentation and ordering information. You can see their ad on page 29 of this issue.

Bill Anastos is the founder of AA Food Marketing, a local fi rm providing food brokerage services to food companies and brands, helping them to gain sales and distribution across the greater Chicagoland market. Bill’s decades of relationships with food distributors, chains, chefs and institutional buyers enable him to help his clients increase their presence and sales here in the best food city in the USA. Bill is well known and respected for his integrity and product knowledge. Wes Studzinski is a commercial lending specialist at Devon Bank, with formal credit training and over 20 years of commercial banking experience with a focus on small businesses and food businesses. Wes understands the importance of working with a banker who can help fuel growth. And because Devon Bank is family owned, they understand the needs of their clients and strive to support them and help them to grow.

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Marriott’s W Nashville Opens

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, recently announced the opening of W Nashville.

Nestled in the vibrant and diverse Gulch neighborhood, the 14-story, mirrored tower offers unparalleled views of the hotel’s social spaces, creating a destination within a destination where global guests will be immersed in a locally-charged cultural scene.

W Nashville was designed from the outside in, with six street level entrances that offer unparalleled access to hotel guests and locals alike.