Episode 78: Cassie Ghaffar & Sandy Nguyen

When best friends Cassie Ghaffar and Sandy Nguyễn worked in restaurants together in college, they never imagined they would become successful multi-concept restaurant entrepreneurs together. Today, as business partners of Houston-based Saigon Hustle, Sunday Press, and Ginger Kale, they share their inspirational story of concept creation, profitability, and expansion.

Saigon Hustle was launched just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as a ghost kitchen delivery-only Thai concept. After nine months of operation, Cassie and Sandy moved the restaurant into a small building on a busy corner in a well-established neighborhood. Offering limited outside seating and drive-thru only, Saigon Hustle became a tremendous success. “We are proud that the three concept commitments we made became reality," says Sandy, citing their “authentic menu recipes, accessibility to the masses, and ability to expand.”

Sunday Press and Ginger Kale are neighborhood coffee-bakery cafes. "We offer a comfortable place to be,” says Cassie. "Regulars meet, eat, and visit during morning, afternoon, and throughout the evening. We offer a private room for family gatherings, small business meetings, and community events”.

In this episode, Sandy and Cassie share their experience and wisdom as successful startup restaurateurs, including:

• Managing multiple concepts efficiently with common procedures and support systems.
• Financing the business for growth, including private equity.
• Successfully expanding without sacrificing quality and consistency.
• Focusing on community as their best marketing tool.
• Creating a people-first culture that pays dividends in building a team for expansion.