We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abe Ruiz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abe below.

Hi Abe, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission behind Madrid Spanish Taverna is to bring over the spirit of the Old World cultures to the US. Tavernas in Europe, but most specifically in Spain, started as a place to congregate, to socialize, to voice your feelings with your colleagues. Food and Beverage, usually wine in the case of Spain and coffee in the case of Italy, where always supportive factors in the connection process. Whereas in the US, for many years, it was leading up with the food and beverage to then maybe congregate and socialize. I find that now, especially more than ever in the age of cell phones, social media, and texting, people more than ever need a conduit to connect via music, art, environment and great food and beverage experiences.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I fell into the restaurant industry by default. I attended college for pre-med and while studying, playing golf, living the college life, and doing some bartending work to make a little money, I found the industry that would dictate the absolute best moments of my life. I have truly been blessed. I love this industry, everything is stands for, and supplying service and gratification to our customers, both internal and external. We truly are in charge of satisfying the soul!

I get ‘called’ for projects usually to either come rescue an operation that is suffering (much like a surgeon in an emergency room) or to create a new company (much like birthing a baby). My superpower is to identify talent, place them in the winningest position available, and structure the internal workings of a team for success.

In the concept design part, I design and build restaurants that are future thinking: keeping in mind the labor challenges we constantly face, the real estate challenges we face, and the guest needs when it comes to forward-thinking concepts.

I am most proud of the people that I have worked with and for….seeing and helping business people develop and grow. Seeing internal teams achieving financial and personal success. Even people from my Hispanic background coming into the US for a new opportunity and building a new life for themselves and their families. These are some of my major accomplishments and I have gathered them through hard work, relationship building and maintenance, and certainly a bit of luck.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

I think that the majority of people that get into the restaurant business, dream of one day owning a place. We all have dreams and ideas! But this business is super hard. Until you actually get in the ring and get involved, do you not realize how hard and detailed it is. It is a daily thing, it never stops. Either you fully get in or do not get in!

I remember my first restaurant….. I had just come off a stint as a GM of one of the most famous restaurants in Puerto Rico, so general sense would have told you that I knew everything I needed to know. Wrong! I learned that when you become an entrepreneur, the whole game changes. Incredibly so. Everything sits on your plate and there are few to no resources available to you besides you and your close team and it is really upon you to make it happen!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Most likely the fact that what I say I will do I always do. I am extremely responsible and committed. I also value and respect relationships tremendously, so I will always work very hard to maintain those and keep those active, healthy, and nurtured.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.madridspanishtaverna.com
• Instagram: #madridspanishtaverna
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abe-ruiz-19550913?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B5G4no6VnQ0aYALEpWCyePA%3D%3D