After nearly 37 years in the grocery industry, Mike Fiser traded life on the road for the opportunity to build something lasting for his family.
Just one week after taking ownership of Bruster's Real Ice Cream in Jacksonville in March 2020, the world changed with the onset of COVID-19. Despite the uncertainty, Mike persevered. Thanks to the walk-up business model, dedicated employees, and support from First Federal Bank, his Bruster's location not only weathered the storm, it continued to grow.
"Growing up in a small town I have always preferred dealing with a hometown bank and people that I knew. The employees at the Macclenny [First Federal Bank] branch have always been very welcoming and helpful each and every time I go to the bank," Mike said. "The biggest opportunity for me was when Jamey Hodges helped me with the PPE loan. When I contacted Jamey he provided what I needed and explained everything that I had to do to get the processing completed. With his assistance we were able to get all paperwork completed, submitted and the money into my account in a minimal amount of time."
"Many small business owners are your neighbors and in some cases your family members. Having a banking partner that understands this and treats you accordingly instead of just another account means everything," Mike said.
Today, Mike continues serving up smiles one scoop at a time, proving that with hard work, community support, and the right banking partner, small businesses can thrive.
Mike says that Bruester's has so many great flavors it is hard to choose a favorite. "I have several that I would consider a favorite but If I had to choose one it would be Butter Pecan. This is a classic that has been around forever. Ours has the great tasting butter flavor loaded with salted and buttered pecan halves."
The most popular flavor other than the traditional Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry flavors would be Oreo, Mike says. "We have both Vanilla and Chocolate varieties. These flavors are made with 2 pounds of Oreos added to the Ice Cream as it dispensed for our scoopers to serve our customers. Other top sellers are Cotton Candy explosion, Birthday Cake and New York Cheesecake."
Mike's advice for potential franchisees is simple. "Research the company, talk to other franchise owners as well as other local businesses to see what their challenges were. Include local banking professionals in your research verifying they will be able to support your needs. Know that it will require hard work but it can be a great opportunity."
Mike says "ice cream makes every day better because it’s not just a treat—it’s pleasurable, and create lasting memories."