Fred Lenz is a businessman of the times. A ‘downsized? accountant and CFO/controller, Lenz has launched what he hopes will be a successful family business with a new Big Apple Bagel Cafe franchise in the new Kroger shopping center at Sashabaw and Maybee roads.
When seeking a franchise business, Lenz carefully evaluated all the possibilities. A number of things influenced his decision, but he believes the primary advantage is that Big Apple Bagels is not a typical fast-food establishment.
He likes the idea of starting every day with fresh ingredients, offering not only bagels but also a wide assortment of muffins, along with toasted, specialty and breakfast sandwiches, coffee and espresso and smoothies.
The broad menu is so important that the store carries ‘cafe? as part of the name, and there are catering services in addition to in-store dining. Advanced orders are appreciated for box lunches, sandwich platters, breakfast boxes and even a ‘coffee to go? box.
(Lenz? favorite sandwich is the spicy Italian, which features ham, genoa salami, provolone cheese, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, lettuce and vinagrette dressing.)
Lenz also welcomed the opportunity to work with a parent company which did a lot of the market research and helps franchisees with quality training and high standard products.
What’s left for Lenz, primarily, is to hire and manage more professional employees who will offer friendly, personalized service to each and every customer.
‘We want satisfied customers,? he said. ‘We look at every order separately. If a customer wants it done differently [from the menu], we will do it.?
A Clarkston resident himself, Lenz was happy with the location in the growing Sashabaw Road corridor.
‘That made the decision even more logical,? he said.
Now that the boulevard construction is complete, he believes his eatery will be attractive to everyone. There’s even an irony in the current business development along the new stretch of road.
‘On this side of the road, I’m the only person who offers a cup of coffee,? he said with a smile.
Lenz eventually hopes to hand off full management to his family. Daughter Samantha Stark is a co-owner (along with Michelle Hackel). Lenz? son works part-time as a baker, joining the team of 10 who are ready to serve all customers. As time goes on Lenz, sees the possibility of having 15-20 employees, and the owners have a business plan that includes a second store sometime in the future.
Big Apple Bagels Cafe is located at 5880 Sashabaw Road (in the Kroger center near Maybee Road). Hours are 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Telephone is 248-620-0327.