After graduating
from the University of Georgia, Britt Hendrix took a job in the field he’d
earned a degree in, turf management.
However, he soon learned that he was more passionate about the
restaurant industry, having worked in a restaurant the whole time he was in
college. With very little notice, Britt
was contacted by Your Pie Founder Drew French about the opportunity to take
over ownership of the Statesboro Your Pie location. Britt jumped on the chance, and in a two
month period had signed on to take over ownership, and moved to Statesboro the
day before he assumed ownership of the location. Britt is excited about trading in the red of
the University of Georgia for the blue of Georgia Southern University and bringing
a fresh energy to the Statesboro Your Pie.
He’s keeping the entire staff that was in place and is hoping to make
the location a fun place for both families and the Georgia Southern crowd.
How did you learn
about the brand?
After graduating from the University of Georgia with a
degree in turf management, I took a job as an assistant superintendent at
The Landings in Savannah. After working there for two years, I came to
the conclusion that this wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. During my entire time attending UGA, I worked
at a restaurant called
Hilltop Grille. Summer came, and I quit the job at The
Landings and took a job at
Stingrays at
Tybee Island and worked the whole summer there right on the beach. I had the summer of my life, and decided that
the food industry is where I wanted to be.
After that summer, I moved back to Athens and went back to work at
Hilltop Grille where I’d worked during college. I worked there for 6 months and
had that moment where I realized I wasn’t in college anymore, so that lifestyle
wasn’t for me. I went back to Tybee
Island for vacation and realized that I needed to open up my own restaurant to
truly be happy. I had been talking with
Drew about opening up a Your Pie since I loved the place during my time at UGA,
and I wanted to move back near Savannah.
The opportunity to take over the Statesboro Your Pie came out of
nowhere. Drew contacted me to let me
know that the Statesboro location was up for sale because the owner had the
Your Pie and some other businesses, including a brewery in the area that he
wanted to focus on. It kind of fell in
my lap, so to speak, but it was perfect timing so I jumped on the opportunity.
I like the fact that by owning this Your Pie, I’m essentially
creating my own job and taking control of my work life. I had reached a point through my experience
that I knew what I DIDN’T want to do, so this was an opportunity for me to
create my own job and have my own business in an industry where I’m truly
passionate.
How did you meet
Drew and learn about the brand?
Me and my friends used to go to Your Pie when we were at
the University of Georgia. We’d go to
the concerts there, and it was always a really good time. I want to provide that lifestyle and
experience with the Statesboro Your Pie now.
I met Drew after I contacted them to see if there were any opportunities
available. When I was deciding on what
type of restaurant to open, I knew I didn’t want a fryer or a grill in my
restaurant, so Your Pie was perfect for what I was looking to open.
What are your
plans for the location?
We’re working right now to bring the craft beers back to
the Statesboro Your Pie. We’re going to
do pitchers and flights of beer. We’re
going to have trivia, football, and live music.
I’m working to build a stage right now so that we can have live music. I know a lot of bands from around the state,
and I’m looking forward to them coming in to play. I play myself, and so do some of the
employees here, so I think it would be a lot of fun to play at my
restaurant. I mean, how many places can
you go to where the owner is up on stage?
We’re also looking at getting heavily involved with Georgia Southern
University and the fraternities and sororities on campus.
What makes your
business unique in the community?
Your Pie is fresh and it’s healthy. The Statesboro Your Pie is in a college town
with students from
Georgia Southern
University. It’s the same thing we
did in college at UGA. We looked for
places that were classy, and it’s a nice pre-gaming spot before we went out for
the night. I want it to be a good first
date place, a great place for singles to mingle, and that sort of a scene. I also like that it can be a great place for
families to come with the kids, enjoy the gelato, and have a good time.
Are you involved
with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?
I’m planning to work with the local schools to help them
out. One day during the week, I want to
have a uniform day so that any public service officials, nurses, doctors,
anyone in uniform really, gets a discount.
I’m looking into what’s available and hoping to be a positive influence
in the community.
What are your
expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Your Pie?
I am looking to open more Your Pie locations once I get
this location up and running and successful.
I’d love to open up more in the area and keep expanding.
Do you have any
superstar employees?
The staff is the same as it was before. They’re all college kids and the transition
has been great so far. I’m not a whole
lot older than them, so I can understand the problems they’re going through and
can talk on their level. It’s been great
getting to know them, and we’re going to have a strong staff under my
ownership.
One of my employees is fluent in three languages. She is a graduate and spent time in China for
study abroad. She’s very diverse and
interesting. She tutors English for a
German family.
Do you have any
hobbies, pastimes, and passions outside of work?
I play acoustic guitar and
write country and Southern rock music.
I’m hoping to be playing some acoustic sets at the location. Two of my employees play guitar too, so I
think it’ll be cool for us to be performing at our restaurant.
