Face 4Ward is designed to highlight businesses that are making positive impacts not only within their communities but throughout the world.
Larry White, Owner, Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles grew up in the restaurant industry. He learned “everything” about the business from his maternal grandmother whose journey from Texas to Arizona in 1963 set the stage. In 1964, she took over her brother’s restaurant, in Phoenix, Arizona, named it Mrs. White Golden Rule Café and after several decades they are still known for its delicious soul food and quality service.
He got into trouble and did a lot of soul-searching before he found his purpose in life. During his search he began to rethink his life, look at his options and he went back to what he knew best - cooking. He loved to eat and love to see others eat his cooking.
His grandmother planted the Soul Food Legacy in the Valley for the family and he decided to keep the family legacy tradition alive. He would always cook for family and friends and the women especially loved his cooking. His cooking is how he got and met his wife.
Before he married his wife, he would cook for her and her family. They later dubbed him “the waffle man.” Between Larry’s busy schedule of operating two restaurants (Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona), planning the opening of more Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles locations, negotiating with major supermarkets for distribution of his food products and giving back he stopped for a minute to talk with us.
The economy is gradually going on an upward swing. What is the secret to your success?
1. Treat people right and giving people their money’s worth.
2. We do not cheat others and treat them the way we want to be treated.
What is some advice that you can give to those who is interested in the food industry?
1. Make sure you have a good product.
2. Be consistent with the taste of your food. Do not change it from day-to-day.
What are the future plans for Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles?
We are scheduled to move into the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in 2013; looking into opening a few more locations in the Chandler/Gilbert Community in 2014 and will have Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles Hot Sauce, Waffle Mix and Syrup in stores Nationwide.
You are so busy. Do you have time to give back?
We donate food to homeless shelters. I regularly talk to the youth from high schools and youth organizations to youth centers. I have even gone back to those organizations that I was once a part of and provide the youth encouragement and show them that you can make it. I use to get into trouble a lot but I was able to turn that energy around, so can they.
“Do it right the first time so that you do not have to do it again. Be consistent. Give respect and it will be given.”
Contact Larry White and Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles at:
info@loloschickenandwaffles.com
http://loloschickenandwaffles.com/contact.php
Phoenix, AZ Location
602-340-1304
Scottsdale, AZ Location
480-945-1920
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