Want to create an interactive transcript for this episode?
Podcast: Closed Monday
Episode: NRO #115 : Joe Fontana | Owner, Fry The Coop - Building A Hot Chicken Empire
Description: While living in California, Joe Fontana discovered Nashville hot chicken and was taken by the spicy and trendy recipe. After writing a business plan, the Villa Park native moved his family back to Chicago and two years ago opened the first Fry the Coop in Oak Lawn. The company generated sales of $1.8 million last year and projects revenue to nearly double this year to $3.5 million. Fry the Coop employs 58. Before launching the restaurant, Fontana was a marketing coordinator at a software company. Earlier, he worked at Chicago-area bars and restaurants as a valet, bar back, server, bartender and manager.<...