Super Suppers 100th Grand Opening Celebration

Bethpage, New York

by Patricia Schaefer

Franchise Trade recently spotlighted the Super Suppers franchise in our article Meal Assembly an Appealing and Appetizing Franchise. At that time, we interviewed Gina Scarda, owner of the soon-to-be-opened first-NY Super Suppers store.

Not only did Scarda and partner Holly Esposito open their Bethpage, NY store, but their grand opening just happened to be Super Suppers' 100th. Founder Judie Byrd and her husband Bill Byrd made a special trip to be there for the momentous occasion of their 100th grand opening.

Franchise Trade was invited to the celebration and this staff writer captured in photographs some of the festivities. I also had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with some people from Super Suppers.

Super Suppers Founder Judie Byrd and husband Bill, flanked by Owners Gina Scarda (left) and Holly Esposito

Founder Byrd shared her personal story of how, many years ago, a free cooking lesson in her home for a friend eventually led to her founding of the Culinary Institute of Fort Worth, and ultimately to the founding of Super Suppers. Bill Byrd shared with me how his years as the owner of a chocolate factory in Fort Worth provided him with the experience and leadership qualities to become the business force behind the franchising of Super Suppers. Together they seem an unstoppable team of combined culinary and business energy and expertise.

Both Judie and Bill appear to practice what they preach about healthy eating. Trim, fit and bursting with robust energy and enthusiasm, they are their own advertisement for healthy eating and living. Bill acknowledged his family's history of stroke and heart disease, which has had a tremendous influence on his healthy eating habits, and was a contributing factor to Super Supper's decision to create recipes without unhealthy trans fat.

Super Suppers franchise sales representative Trevor Hance attended the Bethpage store grand opening, and updated me on their impressive and amazing franchise expansion: "As we speak, there are an additional 100 Super Suppers stores in the works, and we are expecting to have a total of about 400 stores operating by the end of 2006." This gives credence to the claims that the food assembly concept is one of the fastest growing segments of the food industry in the United States, with Super Suppers looking like and claiming to be the leader of the pack.

But what do the patrons have to say about preparing some of their families' meals "ala assembly line"? Wendi Mazer, a mother of triplets, was thrilled, as she assembled her Classic Italian Lasagna. Traveling 45 minutes from Coram, NY, Mazer said, "I've waited three years for this concept to come to Long Island." Mazer first learned about food assembly through her triplet support group, The Triplet Connection. Moms from other states had shared with her their tales of saving time and effort in preparing meals for their multiple-birth families through the innovation of meal assembly. Mazer glowed with enthusiasm at the thought that her waiting had finally come to an end.

Wendi Mazer of Coram, NY, assembles Classic Italian Lasagna

As they say, though, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." Grand opening taste-testing dishes included chicken chili, BBQ meatballs, and brie baked en croute with strawberry preserves. The entrees I tasted were chock-full of healthful ingredients, were very tasty, and in my opinion would be a welcome substitute for fast food family fare. As a parting gift, each guest was handed a container of Super Suppers award-winning Chocolate Lover's Paradise dessert. By the time I arrived home, the dessert was still half-frozen. My family and I each grabbed a spoon and quickly devoured what tasted like an ice-creamy pudding-like chocolate and cream ambrosia with crushed chocolate wafers. Simply delicious.

Founder Judie Byrd and her award-winning Chocolate
Lover’s Paradise dessert

To find out more about Super Suppers or find a class near you, go to www.supersuppers.com.

Copyright 2006, Attard Communications, Inc.