Restaurant Industry Analyst and Consultant

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Darren Tristano, CEO and Founder of FoodserviceResults, located in River Forest, IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

FoodserviceResults provided research and consulting to restaurant operators, foodservice suppliers, and distributors. Through research, food industry executives can glean consumer and market insights to better serve their customers.

Tell us about yourself

Spending nearly 30 years in the foodservice industry, mostly at food industry consulting firm Technomic, I've learned that this industry is dynamic and continuously evolving as restaurants innovate their food and service offering and suppliers work hard to keep up with consumer need states. Continuing to stay up-to-date on new foodservice trends provides learning and ever-changing challenges to industry participants. Supporting my customers with insights and solutions to these challenges keeps me engaged and involved each day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a business owner, I have been recognized as an international trend expert, invited to speak at foodservice conferences on six different continents. Providing television, radio, and print interviews over the last three decades has given me recognition as a subject matter expert in my field and the gratification that I continue to enhance my knowledge in our industry.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being a business owner requires you to wear many hats. This means sales, marketing, accounting, production, and delivery of results. Often business owners are good at some of these functions but not all, so it is important to surround yourself with smart and experienced people who can support your goals and challenges and become a part of that success. Owning a business means working harder and smarter than just being an employee. Responsibility begins and ends with an owner's leadership and makes all the difference to your culture and your opportunity for growth.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Plan to work harder than you'd like.
Surround yourself with good people.
Invest in long-term growth, not short-term profits.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://foodserviceresults.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darrentristano
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrentristano/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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