Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Sullivan.
Hi Robert, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I don’t know who came up with the idea of steaming a sandwich, as I know it’s a staple in Knoxville, TN, and a few other places. I do know that I had my first steamed sandwich at college in Ohio, and I fell in love. Fast forward several years, and I was working out of my home as a day trader. My wife, Jill, knew I was bored with eating the same old things every day for lunch, so one Christmas, she bought me a commercial steamer. I had a blast making sandwiches and especially loved the bagel sandwiches that came out of this steamer. Soon, I was making sandwiches for friends and family, and they were clamoring for more! When my family decided to relocate from Atlanta to Greenville, SC, the idea of opening my own restaurant really started to come together. We found a phenomenal community in Greenville, and I really don’t think Sully’s would have happened without that part of the equation being present.
I had tremendous support from the start, which was huge, because I didn’t know what I was doing! My instincts told me to try to keep it simple, to create systems to make the product consistent, and to differentiate ourselves by the way we treat our employees and customers. I have been blessed to have had wonderful people join the Sully’s team, and that is the reason we have been able to grow. One of my key hires years ago was my current COO, Josh Riley. Josh came in, helped implement systems and spearheaded our efforts to become a franchise.
This continues to be a people business, and we are growing at the rate that we find extraordinary people to join our team and become business owners.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many periods of relative peace and calm, but I’ve seen enough to know not to put my guard down when things are smooth! Challenges are always just around the corner, and I know that now, so it’s not a shock when they occur. Our company culture is to be grateful for what we have and yet always seek to do better. If you do that, it keeps you from being passive and reactive and creates a more proactive attitude.
For example, during Covid, we had already become a business that was completely ready for the new world, as we had just implemented our 4th point of sale system, which allowed us to handle the new flow of business. We are always asking how we can be more efficient, and fortunately, when covid hit, we already had online ordering, delivery capabilities and a third-party delivery system as part of our operations. We were able to survive covid very well and were positioned to thrive when things eased up.
Currently, the supply chain issues are still causing havoc, but we’ve really tried to develop the right relationships with our vendors so we at least have all the support you can have when dealing with these challenges.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sully’s Steamers makes steamed bagel sandwiches. Our special process of steaming our sandwiches, piled high with meats, cheeses and other fresh ingredients, creates an incredible and unique product. The steam fuses all of these ingredients, along with the bagel together, and creates an explosion of flavor that is a surprising delight.
Aside from our unique and delicious product, Sully’s is equally known for creating a warm and friendly atmosphere in all of our locations. We put a premium on interacting with the customer. I learned early on that folks don’t really read or even notice most signage, so we have crew members who are out in our dining room explaining our concept and walking people through the process. Confusion is not a positive emotion, so we try to avoid it!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you are a business-minded, people-person and want to bring a unique, fun and highly profitable restaurant to your area, reach out to us about franchising Sully’s Steamers in your area!
Contact Info:
- Website: sullyssteamers.com
- Instagram: sullyssteamers
