Today we’d like to introduce you to Franco Valentino.
Hi Franco, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Franco Valentino and I am originally from New Jersey-born from two immigrant parents. My dad was born in Italy, mom was born in Puerto Rico and they both moved to the States when they were teenagers. Being that my parents were born outside of the USA, I believe that my upbringing was very different than any normal kid. They raised me with different values and influences of culture that shaped me into the man I am today. Italians and Puerto Ricans hold such importance to family and family values and it was the glue that held our family together for my whole life.
As soon as my dad turned 18, he opened his first restaurant and has been in the restaurant business ever since. For as long as I can remember, I grew up in a restaurant. Begging my dad to take me to work so I can just sit in the booth and watch my dad work. Would sit for hours and finish my homework in the back storage room because my dad knew if I was out in the front I would want to answer the phone as if I was working, even at a young age. Since I was exposed to that life at such an early age, I figured it out very quickly that I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and own my own restaurant. I went to college, got my degree in education, but as soon as I could start working for my dad I did.
When we lived in New Jersey, I would work for my dad one day a week delivering pizza because I was still in college and had to focus on my studies. And then we moved to South Carolina, took ownership of a very busy restaurant and I had to step into a management role very quickly and figure it out. Ever since then, we have been so grateful to be as successful as we are in the town of Summerville, SC going on 10 years and two very popular locations.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest challenge was the fact that I had no management experience in the restaurant while living in New Jersey and had to step into the role immediately when we moved to South Carolina. My dad and I were the first ones to move out of our home state leaving behind my sister and mother.
That was probably one of the hardest things to do because I am so close to my mother so knowing I would have to move to a completely different place without her and have to run a restaurant with my father. But my father instilled in me the best possible work ethic and I used that to embrace my new role and turn our family business from a brand new struggle to a blossoming, extremely successful business.
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?
Our family business is an Italian Restaurant in Summerville, SC. We first took over the first location 10 years ago and since then have opened up a few locations around town. At the moment we have two very successful locations in Summerville on opposite sides of the town.
We offer the best NY/NJ style pizza and pasta you can find in the area. Our recipes come from the generations of the Italian side of my family. We are a family-owned restaurant and every member of our family has been involved and worked together from day one.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My mentor has always been my father. Coming to this country not knowing how to speak any English and being one of ten siblings. He worked extremely hard his whole life and built this empire of an Italian Restaurant and it has provided for our family for as long as he has been at the helm of it.
Contact Info:
- Email: sangareepizza@gmail.com
- Website: www.sangareepizza.com
- Instagram: @sangareepizza
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sangareepizza
Image Credits
Franco Valentino, Frank Valentino, Liana Valentino, and Elsa Valentino
