From left, The Royal Chocolate owners Brenda Tusing and Terry Restin. Photo by Paul Chin, Jr.
By Jessica Swink
Small Business Insight
Before Brenda Tusing and Terry Restin opened the doors in 2006 at The Royal Chocolate in Town Center, they knew they would evolve the business model into a franchisable one.
“We spent a very long time developing each part of the business: The chocolate we make, the dipped apples, the gift baskets, the packaging … we looked at every detail of this business to consider a lot of different concepts before we ever opened the doors,” Tusing says.
With Restin as the “foodie,” specializing in all things chocolate and purchasing, Tusing tackles the bookkeeping side of the business. The two are self-proclaimed “perfect partners.”
Currently, the owners’ focus is making the Town Center location the best it can be and opening up wholesaling opportunities. According to Tusing, the store is projected to have the biggest fourth quarter yet.
The secret to success? Listening to customers and offering over the top customer service.
“Current customers really drive our business, and while we want to introduce them to new products and tastes, we have to be sure we’re providing what they want day to day”, Tusing says. “Fortunately we have a superb staff who really understand what it means to offer outstanding service to our guests.”
So, when will this tasty store franchise? It’s hard to say.
“We are cautious because we are still learning about (franchising),” Tusing says. “Probably without the setback of the economy, we’d have another store by now. People come to us all the time and say bring your business here. And it’s very tempting for us to do that, but you have to really keep a check what you have done so far and make the most of the current location.”
Making sure their current store stays intact while they grow is the number one objective for Tusing and Restin.
Either way the two women decide to go, the future looks sweet.
