
undoubtedly the biggest disaster in mainly burger short history was the
mainly burger short history was the
mainly burger short history was the Mumford & Sons concert in the August of
Mumford & Sons concert in the August of
Mumford & Sons concert in the August of 2012 our first summer in business we had
2012 our first summer in business we had
2012 our first summer in business we had this grandiose plan expand our menu
this grandiose plan expand our menu
this grandiose plan expand our menu including the introduction of hand cut
including the introduction of hand cut
including the introduction of hand cut fries and to serve a thousand guests
fries and to serve a thousand guests
fries and to serve a thousand guests there were five of us on the truck that
there were five of us on the truck that
there were five of us on the truck that day hungry to serve the 15,000 plus
day hungry to serve the 15,000 plus
day hungry to serve the 15,000 plus people on the eastern prom we should
people on the eastern prom we should
people on the eastern prom we should also mention we had abandoned our
also mention we had abandoned our
also mention we had abandoned our scarborough beach post on one of the
scarborough beach post on one of the
scarborough beach post on one of the busiest days of the year leaving only
busiest days of the year leaving only
busiest days of the year leaving only the concession stand open run by an
the concession stand open run by an
the concession stand open run by an untrained new employee back to mumford
untrained new employee back to mumford
untrained new employee back to mumford we had run out of her hand cut fries in
we had run out of her hand cut fries in
we had run out of her hand cut fries in 30 minutes and we still had eight hours
30 minutes and we still had eight hours
30 minutes and we still had eight hours to go we were screwed and the line oh my
to go we were screwed and the line oh my
to go we were screwed and the line oh my goodness the line it was like being on
goodness the line it was like being on
goodness the line it was like being on the ocean searching for laying in the
the ocean searching for laying in the
the ocean searching for laying in the horizon and just never seeing it about
horizon and just never seeing it about
horizon and just never seeing it about halfway through the concert we had an
halfway through the concert we had an
halfway through the concert we had an unexpected grease fire there were 40
unexpected grease fire there were 40
unexpected grease fire there were 40 orders up and another 300 people in line
orders up and another 300 people in line
orders up and another 300 people in line I was on the griddle when it happened I
I was on the griddle when it happened I
I was on the griddle when it happened I froze like a deer in the headlights
froze like a deer in the headlights
froze like a deer in the headlights eventually I grabbed the fire
eventually I grabbed the fire
eventually I grabbed the fire extinguisher squeeze the trigger nothing
extinguisher squeeze the trigger nothing
extinguisher squeeze the trigger nothing I had never used a fire extinguisher
I had never used a fire extinguisher
I had never used a fire extinguisher before how am I supposed to know how it
before how am I supposed to know how it
before how am I supposed to know how it works max finally yelled pull the pin
works max finally yelled pull the pin
works max finally yelled pull the pin pull the pin the fire was out we clean
pull the pin the fire was out we clean
pull the pin the fire was out we clean wash sanitized everything and changed
wash sanitized everything and changed
wash sanitized everything and changed our fryer oil all the while I was
our fryer oil all the while I was
our fryer oil all the while I was talking with guests attempting to draw
talking with guests attempting to draw
talking with guests attempting to draw their eye away from an engulfing flame
the day ended with just as much
the day ended with just as much awfulness as it began we ran out of food
awfulness as it began we ran out of food
awfulness as it began we ran out of food with 200 people left in line I had to go
with 200 people left in line I had to go
with 200 people left in line I had to go outside I do I’ll add to explain that we
outside I do I’ll add to explain that we
outside I do I’ll add to explain that we were closing and go outside to retrieve
were closing and go outside to retrieve
were closing and go outside to retrieve the menu I actually considered asking
the menu I actually considered asking
the menu I actually considered asking for a police escort to put things mildly
for a police escort to put things mildly
for a police escort to put things mildly it was a cluster cuss we didn’t come
it was a cluster cuss we didn’t come
it was a cluster cuss we didn’t come close to reaching our goal even the
close to reaching our goal even the
close to reaching our goal even the concert organizer was surprised with how
concert organizer was surprised with how
concert organizer was surprised with how poorly we did on top of that the
poorly we did on top of that the
poorly we did on top of that the scarborough beach management team was
scarborough beach management team was
scarborough beach management team was justifiably upset that we missed the
justifiably upset that we missed the
justifiably upset that we missed the busiest day of the year the next morning
busiest day of the year the next morning
busiest day of the year the next morning our parents excitedly asked us how the
our parents excitedly asked us how the
our parents excitedly asked us how the event went max I liked is it didn’t go
event went max I liked is it didn’t go
event went max I liked is it didn’t go great a mom in the temp to have levity
great a mom in the temp to have levity
great a mom in the temp to have levity to the situation said well at least you
to the situation said well at least you
to the situation said well at least you didn’t have a fire it was one of many
didn’t have a fire it was one of many
didn’t have a fire it was one of many business mess ups we had failed the idea
business mess ups we had failed the idea
business mess ups we had failed the idea of mainly burgers started when i was a
of mainly burgers started when i was a
of mainly burgers started when i was a freshman at boston college it started as
freshman at boston college it started as
freshman at boston college it started as an escape I was unhappy and then
an escape I was unhappy and then
an escape I was unhappy and then nutshell I was homesick I miss my
nutshell I was homesick I miss my
nutshell I was homesick I miss my parents family friends and most of all
parents family friends and most of all
parents family friends and most of all Cape Elizabeth for a fun diversion I’ll
Cape Elizabeth for a fun diversion I’ll
Cape Elizabeth for a fun diversion I’ll meet one of my closest friends Ben
meet one of my closest friends Ben
meet one of my closest friends Ben Berman at food trucks around the city we
Berman at food trucks around the city we
Berman at food trucks around the city we would talk about school and reminisce
would talk about school and reminisce
would talk about school and reminisce about the good old days in Cape we began
about the good old days in Cape we began
about the good old days in Cape we began to talk about our summer plans and what
to talk about our summer plans and what
to talk about our summer plans and what we were going to do we wanted to go home
we were going to do we wanted to go home
we were going to do we wanted to go home for the summer but we still were trying
for the summer but we still were trying
for the summer but we still were trying to figure out what would that be I
to figure out what would that be I
to figure out what would that be I mentioned to my parents that there’s an
mentioned to my parents that there’s an
mentioned to my parents that there’s an opportunity for food trucks in Maine and
opportunity for food trucks in Maine and
opportunity for food trucks in Maine and that Ben and I had an interested in
that Ben and I had an interested in
that Ben and I had an interested in opening one my dad suggested that we
opening one my dad suggested that we
opening one my dad suggested that we write a business plan and then we could
write a business plan and then we could
write a business plan and then we could talk about it in further detail I stayed
talk about it in further detail I stayed
talk about it in further detail I stayed focus on my bc studies and in my spare
focus on my bc studies and in my spare
focus on my bc studies and in my spare time thought about this food truck idea
time thought about this food truck idea
time thought about this food truck idea what would be on our menu board our name
what would be on our menu board our name
what would be on our menu board our name be how do we even run a business thought
be how do we even run a business thought
be how do we even run a business thought soon became action and we had formed a
soon became action and we had formed a
soon became action and we had formed a corporation designed our truck and
corporation designed our truck and
corporation designed our truck and secure the location at scarborough beach
secure the location at scarborough beach
secure the location at scarborough beach my story’s a little bit different than
my story’s a little bit different than
my story’s a little bit different than Jack my freshman sophomore year I went
Jack my freshman sophomore year I went
Jack my freshman sophomore year I went to Gould Academy in bethel maine at
to Gould Academy in bethel maine at
to Gould Academy in bethel maine at Google I was max for the first time I
Google I was max for the first time I
Google I was max for the first time I wasn’t the younger cousin or brother or
wasn’t the younger cousin or brother or
wasn’t the younger cousin or brother or brother of a Barbara that had gone
brother of a Barbara that had gone
brother of a Barbara that had gone through the Cape system I went to Google
through the Cape system I went to Google
through the Cape system I went to Google with the focus on skiing in college
with the focus on skiing in college
with the focus on skiing in college after an assortment of injuries I
after an assortment of injuries I
after an assortment of injuries I realized that the school wasn’t the
realized that the school wasn’t the
realized that the school wasn’t the right recipe it was an amazing
right recipe it was an amazing
right recipe it was an amazing experience in so many ways in addition
experience in so many ways in addition
experience in so many ways in addition of being on snow every day during the
of being on snow every day during the
of being on snow every day during the ski season I had the opportunity to do a
ski season I had the opportunity to do a
ski season I had the opportunity to do a homestay in China and meet friends from
homestay in China and meet friends from
homestay in China and meet friends from all over the world I suffer from two
all over the world I suffer from two
all over the world I suffer from two concussions which dashed my dreams are
concussions which dashed my dreams are
concussions which dashed my dreams are becoming a division-one skier I miss my
becoming a division-one skier I miss my
becoming a division-one skier I miss my friends I miss my family and my parents
friends I miss my family and my parents
friends I miss my family and my parents miss me it was around this time it was
miss me it was around this time it was
miss me it was around this time it was around this time that I learned out that
around this time that I learned out that
around this time that I learned out that I figured out about Ben and Jack’s
I figured out about Ben and Jack’s
I figured out about Ben and Jack’s incredible idea
incredible idea
incredible idea I’ve been involved in conversations
I’ve been involved in conversations
I’ve been involved in conversations about the business plan and menu and
about the business plan and menu and
about the business plan and menu and food and so on it was fun my brother and
food and so on it was fun my brother and
food and so on it was fun my brother and his friend were going to start a food
his friend were going to start a food
his friend were going to start a food truck and I was ready to hop on board
truck and I was ready to hop on board
truck and I was ready to hop on board sure enough my first few days home for
sure enough my first few days home for
sure enough my first few days home for the summer a food truck from Florida
the summer a food truck from Florida
the summer a food truck from Florida showed up in our backyard in Cape
showed up in our backyard in Cape
showed up in our backyard in Cape Elizabeth Jack and Ben were still at
Elizabeth Jack and Ben were still at
Elizabeth Jack and Ben were still at school Sam Berman you and I were the
school Sam Berman you and I were the
school Sam Berman you and I were the only ones there it was at that moment
only ones there it was at that moment
only ones there it was at that moment seeing mainly burgers in our house at
seeing mainly burgers in our house at
seeing mainly burgers in our house at Cape Elizabeth that I realized that
Cape Elizabeth that I realized that
Cape Elizabeth that I realized that coming home was a great decision let’s
coming home was a great decision let’s
coming home was a great decision let’s talk about the trucks although we had
talk about the trucks although we had
talk about the trucks although we had some business and a little cooking
some business and a little cooking
some business and a little cooking experience it’s safe to say we had
experience it’s safe to say we had
experience it’s safe to say we had thrown ourselves into the fire as
thrown ourselves into the fire as
thrown ourselves into the fire as matched to the test our first day of
matched to the test our first day of
matched to the test our first day of Scarborough Beach was a mess it was a
Scarborough Beach was a mess it was a
Scarborough Beach was a mess it was a non-stock grind but at the end of the
non-stock grind but at the end of the
non-stock grind but at the end of the day we had come out on top I was eager
day we had come out on top I was eager
day we had come out on top I was eager to get to work but I had to be patient I
to get to work but I had to be patient I
to get to work but I had to be patient I learned how Jack and Ben managed that
learned how Jack and Ben managed that
learned how Jack and Ben managed that managed employees in the business
managed employees in the business
managed employees in the business understanding which methods were most
understanding which methods were most
understanding which methods were most successful like most new employees I
successful like most new employees I
successful like most new employees I start on the register understanding the
start on the register understanding the
start on the register understanding the importance of flexibility and customer
importance of flexibility and customer
importance of flexibility and customer service from the get-go to quote dj
service from the get-go to quote dj
service from the get-go to quote dj khaled it was a major key to success we
khaled it was a major key to success we
khaled it was a major key to success we the best at the end of the summer the
the best at the end of the summer the
the best at the end of the summer the mainly burgers crew was excited to
mainly burgers crew was excited to
mainly burgers crew was excited to announce that we would be returning for
announce that we would be returning for
announce that we would be returning for year 2 with that awesome momentum from
year 2 with that awesome momentum from
year 2 with that awesome momentum from year one and the passing of the Portland
year one and the passing of the Portland
year one and the passing of the Portland food truck coordinates we decide to
food truck coordinates we decide to
food truck coordinates we decide to expand our fleet we added a second
expand our fleet we added a second
expand our fleet we added a second burger truck named her to point out and
burger truck named her to point out and
burger truck named her to point out and hastily in the middle of the summer we
hastily in the middle of the summer we
hastily in the middle of the summer we added an ice cream truck called mainly
added an ice cream truck called mainly
added an ice cream truck called mainly treats our team also expanded from six
treats our team also expanded from six
treats our team also expanded from six the year before 215 we were giving our
the year before 215 we were giving our
the year before 215 we were giving our team more input into the business but
team more input into the business but
team more input into the business but we’re still doing too much with so many
we’re still doing too much with so many
we’re still doing too much with so many moving pieces we lost sight of some of
moving pieces we lost sight of some of
moving pieces we lost sight of some of the most important parts of the business
the most important parts of the business
the most important parts of the business most importantly cash we were prepping
most importantly cash we were prepping
most importantly cash we were prepping for the fourth of July we had all three
for the fourth of July we had all three
for the fourth of July we had all three trucks rolling out it was going to be a
trucks rolling out it was going to be a
trucks rolling out it was going to be a huge day I gone to the bank to get
huge day I gone to the bank to get
huge day I gone to the bank to get changed and imagine my surprise when the
changed and imagine my surprise when the
changed and imagine my surprise when the bank teller told me we had no money to
bank teller told me we had no money to
bank teller told me we had no money to withdraw in fact we were over draw we
withdraw in fact we were over draw we
withdraw in fact we were over draw we had spread ourselves too thin and our
had spread ourselves too thin and our
had spread ourselves too thin and our business had suffered luckily we found
business had suffered luckily we found
business had suffered luckily we found some change for the 4th ended up having
some change for the 4th ended up having
some change for the 4th ended up having a pretty good day at the other year to
a pretty good day at the other year to
a pretty good day at the other year to weed expanded greatly but we were losing
weed expanded greatly but we were losing
weed expanded greatly but we were losing money on the year three at the end of
money on the year three at the end of
money on the year three at the end of the year
the year
the year been received word that he was going to
been received word that he was going to
been received word that he was going to get the internship that he really wanted
get the internship that he really wanted
get the internship that he really wanted I could not have been more happy for bed
I could not have been more happy for bed
I could not have been more happy for bed but I realized that the business was
but I realized that the business was
but I realized that the business was going to face a strategic challenge and
going to face a strategic challenge and
going to face a strategic challenge and replacing him luckily max was waiting in
replacing him luckily max was waiting in
replacing him luckily max was waiting in the wings ready to take on more of a
the wings ready to take on more of a
the wings ready to take on more of a leadership role we were both at babson i
leadership role we were both at babson i
leadership role we were both at babson i was a freshman Jack a junior and guess
was a freshman Jack a junior and guess
was a freshman Jack a junior and guess what we pivoted again this time we
what we pivoted again this time we
what we pivoted again this time we focused to point o and mainly treats on
focused to point o and mainly treats on
focused to point o and mainly treats on private catering and community events
private catering and community events
private catering and community events the beach was doing well and we had
the beach was doing well and we had
the beach was doing well and we had built a strong presence all of a sudden
built a strong presence all of a sudden
built a strong presence all of a sudden our calendar was full Jack and I put
our calendar was full Jack and I put
our calendar was full Jack and I put together an amazing team and we humped
together an amazing team and we humped
together an amazing team and we humped becoming the best customer service
becoming the best customer service
becoming the best customer service orientated food truck in Maine we were
orientated food truck in Maine we were
orientated food truck in Maine we were giving our employees more management
giving our employees more management
giving our employees more management opportunities in operations and social
opportunities in operations and social
opportunities in operations and social media I would quickly learn the ropes
media I would quickly learn the ropes
media I would quickly learn the ropes and understood how much my role had
and understood how much my role had
and understood how much my role had changed the work hours to come here for
changed the work hours to come here for
changed the work hours to come here for we hit on all cylinders as brothers and
we hit on all cylinders as brothers and
we hit on all cylinders as brothers and now business partners we quickly found
now business partners we quickly found
now business partners we quickly found our groove the business was clicking and
our groove the business was clicking and
our groove the business was clicking and this gave us more time to play around
this gave us more time to play around
this gave us more time to play around with food our favorite thing at the
with food our favorite thing at the
with food our favorite thing at the beginning of our fifth year I was
beginning of our fifth year I was
beginning of our fifth year I was graduating from babson college and
graduating from babson college and
graduating from babson college and trying to figure what I was going to do
trying to figure what I was going to do
trying to figure what I was going to do with my life sports & Finance were at
with my life sports & Finance were at
with my life sports & Finance were at the top of my list and mainly burgers
the top of my list and mainly burgers
the top of my list and mainly burgers wasn’t even really on it my career pivot
wasn’t even really on it my career pivot
wasn’t even really on it my career pivot happened when a financial professional
happened when a financial professional
happened when a financial professional interviewing me ala blue said if you
interviewing me ala blue said if you
interviewing me ala blue said if you have any thoughts about expanding your
have any thoughts about expanding your
have any thoughts about expanding your business you better do it now because at
business you better do it now because at
business you better do it now because at my age you certainly won’t have the time
my age you certainly won’t have the time
my age you certainly won’t have the time for it this made me think and take a
for it this made me think and take a
for it this made me think and take a step back and after discussing with Max
step back and after discussing with Max
step back and after discussing with Max and my parents we decided to go forward
and my parents we decided to go forward
and my parents we decided to go forward we’re expanding mainly burgers with
we’re expanding mainly burgers with
we’re expanding mainly burgers with mainly burgers becoming more real we had
mainly burgers becoming more real we had
mainly burgers becoming more real we had to make some serious changes the first
to make some serious changes the first
to make some serious changes the first was rebranding we design a new website
was rebranding we design a new website
was rebranding we design a new website and built a new logo the Portland
and built a new logo the Portland
and built a new logo the Portland operation also experienced significant
operation also experienced significant
operation also experienced significant change with Jack staying in Boston to
change with Jack staying in Boston to
change with Jack staying in Boston to open the restaurant for the first time I
open the restaurant for the first time I
open the restaurant for the first time I was solely responsible for running the
was solely responsible for running the
was solely responsible for running the trucks it was overwhelming and
trucks it was overwhelming and
trucks it was overwhelming and frustrating at first it didn’t come easy
frustrating at first it didn’t come easy
frustrating at first it didn’t come easy but in the end to the help of a close
but in the end to the help of a close
but in the end to the help of a close friend and a strong crew many of whom I
friend and a strong crew many of whom I
friend and a strong crew many of whom I see in this crowd mainly burgers had
see in this crowd mainly burgers had
see in this crowd mainly burgers had another successful season without max
another successful season without max
another successful season without max taking over sole duty to the trucks we
taking over sole duty to the trucks we
taking over sole duty to the trucks we would have never been able to open the
would have never been able to open the
would have never been able to open the restaurant
restaurant
restaurant it was a whole new animal relying on
it was a whole new animal relying on
it was a whole new animal relying on family trusted advisors and a great
family trusted advisors and a great
family trusted advisors and a great building and design team we got the
building and design team we got the
building and design team we got the restaurant opened in August right on
restaurant opened in August right on
restaurant opened in August right on time hiring in Cambridge was also
time hiring in Cambridge was also
time hiring in Cambridge was also completely different no longer was a
completely different no longer was a
completely different no longer was a seasonal business we couldn’t rely on
seasonal business we couldn’t rely on
seasonal business we couldn’t rely on high school and college students anymore
high school and college students anymore
high school and college students anymore we formed a core team found great people
we formed a core team found great people
we formed a core team found great people that have made our storefront a success
that have made our storefront a success
that have made our storefront a success never did I think that middle and high
never did I think that middle and high
never did I think that middle and high school Spanish could be so important
school Spanish could be so important
school Spanish could be so important it’s the primary language we speak in
it’s the primary language we speak in
it’s the primary language we speak in the back of house and in Cambridge I
the back of house and in Cambridge I
the back of house and in Cambridge I just brought us together in so many ways
just brought us together in so many ways
just brought us together in so many ways and is made a huge difference so gracias
and is made a huge difference so gracias
and is made a huge difference so gracias profesor des a large component of our
profesor des a large component of our
profesor des a large component of our Babson education focuses on
Babson education focuses on
Babson education focuses on entrepreneurship whether you’re building
entrepreneurship whether you’re building
entrepreneurship whether you’re building a business from scratch or developing
a business from scratch or developing
a business from scratch or developing your people to think and act with
your people to think and act with
your people to think and act with entrepreneurial spirit the idea is to
entrepreneurial spirit the idea is to
entrepreneurial spirit the idea is to think on your feet when you need to like
think on your feet when you need to like
think on your feet when you need to like when you get a flat tire ten minutes
when you get a flat tire ten minutes
when you get a flat tire ten minutes before an event or to take the time to
before an event or to take the time to
before an event or to take the time to do detailed menu analysis how much does
do detailed menu analysis how much does
do detailed menu analysis how much does that excuse a much cost us to make we
that excuse a much cost us to make we
that excuse a much cost us to make we are very lucky to come from a family
are very lucky to come from a family
are very lucky to come from a family that loves food and one that has food
that loves food and one that has food
that loves food and one that has food businesses on both our mom and dad’s
businesses on both our mom and dad’s
businesses on both our mom and dad’s side we joke around and say that we
side we joke around and say that we
side we joke around and say that we share the food gene their work ethic and
share the food gene their work ethic and
share the food gene their work ethic and challenges they had to deal with we saw
challenges they had to deal with we saw
challenges they had to deal with we saw firsthand since the beginning maybe
firsthand since the beginning maybe
firsthand since the beginning maybe burgers have employed over 60 people
burgers have employed over 60 people
burgers have employed over 60 people mostly Cape kids we couldn’t be more
mostly Cape kids we couldn’t be more
mostly Cape kids we couldn’t be more proud of what our team’s been able to
proud of what our team’s been able to
proud of what our team’s been able to accomplish Max and I talk about a lot
accomplish Max and I talk about a lot
accomplish Max and I talk about a lot about family literally and figuratively
about family literally and figuratively
about family literally and figuratively we wouldn’t be here today without both
we wouldn’t be here today without both
we wouldn’t be here today without both and what we do isn’t glamorous it’s a
and what we do isn’t glamorous it’s a
and what we do isn’t glamorous it’s a ton of work and it’s definitely not the
ton of work and it’s definitely not the
ton of work and it’s definitely not the direction we saw ourselves going in but
direction we saw ourselves going in but
direction we saw ourselves going in but we love what we do here’s this little
we love what we do here’s this little
we love what we do here’s this little company in Maine and now Cambridge that
company in Maine and now Cambridge that
company in Maine and now Cambridge that the Boston Globe quoted being good
the Boston Globe quoted being good
the Boston Globe quoted being good enough to take on competition imagine
enough to take on competition imagine
enough to take on competition imagine that we believe what differentiates us
that we believe what differentiates us
that we believe what differentiates us are our core values are strong sense of
are our core values are strong sense of
are our core values are strong sense of community and the dynamic people that
community and the dynamic people that
community and the dynamic people that make up our team mainly burgers allows
make up our team mainly burgers allows
make up our team mainly burgers allows us to bring people together in more ways
us to bring people together in more ways
us to bring people together in more ways than just burgers and fries community
than just burgers and fries community
than just burgers and fries community events in Portland in Cambridge have
events in Portland in Cambridge have
events in Portland in Cambridge have allowed us to build a much stronger more
allowed us to build a much stronger more
allowed us to build a much stronger more meaningful business than one that
meaningful business than one that
meaningful business than one that focuses on number
focuses on number
focuses on number look we don’t know what lies ahead but
look we don’t know what lies ahead but
look we don’t know what lies ahead but here’s what we’ve learned one life is
here’s what we’ve learned one life is
here’s what we’ve learned one life is rarely a straight road learn to pivot
rarely a straight road learn to pivot
rarely a straight road learn to pivot hopefully before change becomes
hopefully before change becomes
hopefully before change becomes necessary to social good giving back
necessary to social good giving back
necessary to social good giving back doing good for others is a gift and
doing good for others is a gift and
doing good for others is a gift and finally three to top off the sandwich
finally three to top off the sandwich
finally three to top off the sandwich you have to work hard in order to play
you have to work hard in order to play
you have to work hard in order to play hard on behalf of Jack and I I would
hard on behalf of Jack and I I would
hard on behalf of Jack and I I would like to thank you for this opportunity
like to thank you for this opportunity
like to thank you for this opportunity and we’ll see you all this summer
and we’ll see you all this summer
and we’ll see you all this summer trumpet guy
”
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