Mendocino Farms, a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its gourmet sandwiches, is the brainchild of Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen. With 13 locations in Southern California and more opening soon, the couple has successfully built a brand that stands out in a competitive market. Del Pero handles food development, while Chen manages marketing, finance, and human resources, sharing the day-to-day operations.

Entrepreneurial Roots

Both Del Pero and Chen come from families with an entrepreneurial background. Chen’s father ran a manufacturing firm in Taiwan, which exposed her to the business world from a young age. Del Pero’s family had a meat processing company in California. He gained hands-on experience from a young age, starting from cleaning the outside of the plant and working his way up. These early experiences shaped their work ethics and instilled in them the importance of hard work.

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Divergent Paths

Chen chose to pursue a career in the corporate world, working in consulting and gaining exposure to various industries. Del Pero, on the other hand, was destined for law school but opted for a different path. He worked his way up in the restaurant industry, starting from the bottom as a bar back and eventually becoming the director of operations. Despite their different paths, both shared an entrepreneurial spirit.

From Bento to Sandwiches

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Del Pero’s first venture into restaurant ownership was the American Bento Company, a teriyaki joint. However, the business struggled, and he was on the verge of bankruptcy. With a loan from his younger sister, he revamped the concept and changed the name to Skew’s. The new approach was successful, with a second location opening in downtown Los Angeles.

The couple met in 2000, and Chen became an investor in Skew’s. They started dating and eventually married. However, they decided to sell Skew’s and pursue a new venture when Chen was pregnant with their first child. Drawing inspiration from a gap they saw in the market between Subway and high-end eateries, they focused on sandwiches. This decision led to the birth of Mendocino Farms.

Mentorship and Growth

As Mendocino Farms slowly expanded, the couple received valuable advice from mentors in the industry. An early mentor helped Chen with financial management, while another encouraged them to target suburban neighborhoods. John Mackey, co-CEO of Whole Foods, also provided guidance after the grocery giant made a minority investment in Mendocino Farms.

Learning from Failures and Customer Feedback

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Del Pero and Chen emphasize the importance of reflecting on failures and making necessary changes. They attribute much of Mendocino Farms’ success to the lessons learned from their previous restaurant venture. Over the past decade, they have also made numerous adjustments to Mendocino Farms based on customer feedback, continuously improving their offerings.

Life Outside of Work

Chen and Del Pero prioritize family time and enjoy taking research trips with their children, centered around food. They also make an effort to pursue hobbies they enjoy, such as Del Pero getting back into golfing.

Mendocino Farms is not just a restaurant chain; it represents the entrepreneurial journey of a couple who followed their passion, overcame challenges, and learned from their experiences. With their focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Del Pero and Chen have created a brand that resonates with people seeking delicious and unique sandwiches.

Comments: It’s inspiring to see how Del Pero and Chen built Mendocino Farms from their entrepreneurial roots and overcame various obstacles along the way. Their commitment to continuous improvement and learning from failures is a valuable lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs. The mentorship they received and their ability to adapt to customer feedback demonstrate their dedication to providing a top-notch dining experience. Mendocino Farms is a prime example of how passion, hard work, and a willingness to take risks can lead to success in the competitive restaurant industry.

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