Immigrant Entrepreneurs Bring All-Day Waffles to Fredericton
FREDERICTON –Waffles aren’t just for breakfast in Fredericton anymore.
Filling the need (and stomachs) for all day waffle cravings, Francis Chang and Young-Gin Im recently opened Freddy’s Waffle Station in the King’s Place Mall.
Besides coffee and fresh juice, Freddy’s Waffle Station offers an all waffle-based menu that goes from an ordinary breakfast style, like strawberries and cranberries, to a sandwich style, like Korean BBQ beef, smoked salmon and guacamole.
“We are from South Korea and my husband is a sushi chef, so we adapted some sushi and Korean styles into the menu. So our waffle can also be for lunch and snack time,” said Chang.
Before opening Freddy’s Waffle Station, Im and Chang spent a lot of time testing the waffle recipe to make sure their waffle would stand out among other restaurants. Chang said their waffles are special because they use yeast instead of baking powder or baking soda.
“Our customers said the waffles smell like bread and [aren’t] too heavy,” said Chang.
Chang said the restaurant wants to offer a fresh and inexpensive option to office workers in Downtown Fredericton.
“We are not a fine-dining restaurant. It is quick service and self-service. You don’t have to pay the tip. The waffle is also baked fresh in front of customers,” said Chang.
The restaurant operates 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
At first, Chang and Im wanted to open a sushi restaurant, but they noticed that there was already one nearby, so instead they decided to sell waffles with a little twist.
“Almost everyone likes waffles, but for sushi there are only certain people who love sushi and people who never would eat sushi,” Change said. “Waffles are more general. We thought it would be easier to get customers.”
Chang, Im and their two children moved to Fredericton in 2013 because they were tired of the city life in Seoul, Korea.
“Canada seems very peaceful; especially, Fredericton. It seems very steady. It’s a small town, but it has a little bit of everything,” said Chang.
Another reason Chang chose Fredericton was because it would be easier to open a business, unlike Seoul where the competition is high.
“In a small alley [in Seoul], there are many small restaurants already. Fredericton is not bad to open a business, if you make good food and good service,” said Chang
The married couple said they were surprised when many people, like their food distributors, offered them help and advice when they were opening the restaurant.
“We think Fredericton people are very nice. We are very satisfied with people in Fredericton. They are kind and friendly.”
Chang and Im still don’t have a big plan for their business, but they do intend to stay in Fredericton for the rest of their lives.
“We want to keep this as a family business, but when we established well enough at this restaurant, we want to open up a new one for sushi in Fredericton as well,” said Chang.