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

David, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Honestly, being a business owner isn’t easy. Some people think that being a business owner is easy and that we have lots of money, when in fact it can be just the opposite. When you open a new business, it takes a while to build up customers and get the word out there, so its a struggle to say the least. But, at the same time, it can be so rewarding. I love the feeling knowing that customers love the food we create here, from the flavors of the sauces to the portions they get. I also love seeing their faces when they walk around the shop and see all of the memorabilia, as the shop is a little museum, paying tribute to ALL 5 branches of the military. After doing this shop and seeing peoples faces, I could not imagine doing anything else. Also, the fact the shop helps a local charity for homeless veterans, makes the shop and its mission even more rewarding. People know that when they come here that they are not only going to get a good meal, but they are going to be able to help raise money for a good cause that is near and dear to a lot of people.

I opened my shop February 10th, 2020. 1 month before covid-19 hit and shut the world down on March 16th, 2020. So, we opened right when the pandemic hit, and we survived 21 months, before we had to close our doors November 15, 2021 for a short period. Dallas Morning News did a story on us the end of January 2022, talking about how our shop had closed and how we got screwed out of $86,000 from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Well a young angel heard our story and offered to help and thanks to her, we were able to reopen the shop on March 26th, 2022 and things have been going better since. Owning a business comes with lots of risks and struggles, but it also has its rewards. I do have to say, I could not do what I do, without the amazing staff that has come on board to support the mission of the shop, and I am honored to have them believe in me and my vision.

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?

My name is David Jordan, a 12 year veteran of the military (Army & National Guard) where I was a combat medic and communications. In 2014 into 2015, I was a homeless veteran and even got to the point of committing suicide, one of the darkest periods in my life, but also one of the most educational experiences of my life. Because, that time period led me to start a charity for homeless veterans called We Got Your Six, www.wgy6.org, a charity built to help homeless veterans who want to change their lives. We work with homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless and try to prevent it if we can. But, since the charity does not get government funding or grants, I opened Patriot Sandwich Company, a fully military themed sandwich shop that honors all 5 branches of the military.

From the walls with pictures to the shadowbox tables to the menu, its a living breathing museum and eatery all in one. You can come into Patriot Sandwich Company and choose of of the 9 sandwiches from our main menu or a sandwich from the specials board, then choose 1 of our 9 custom sauces, each will give you a different flavor profile and experience. But while you are dining here, you get to see bits of history from people just like you and me, its not all about famous people like most museums are designed around.

I want people to know that when they come here, they are treated like friends, not dollar signs. I try to interact with every customer and make them feel welcomed and at home. I want them to know how much I value them as people, and I genuinely care about their feedback about the food and shop. They can go anywhere and get treated like a dollar sign, but they cant go everywhere and be treated like their important as customers/people.

While we are an award winning sandwich shop (Best of Denton County Best New Restaurant 2020 and back to back Top 3 Lunch and deli shop finalist 2020 and 2021), we would not be an award winning sandwich shop if it was not for the community. So we want to thank them for supporting us, we could not do what we do, without them.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building an audience on social media is hard. Because social media can make or break you these days. You have to be open and willing to share not only the good things, but the bad things. Be transparent with everyone and do not be afraid to admit your struggling. Also, always remember to thank people and give people props when you can. People like to know your humble enough to thank people and recognize those who helped you get to where you are.

Make sure to promote yourself and your business on social media, but always remain humble and caring. Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice, everyone starts somewhere. The smart ones asked for help and actually apply the advice given.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I honestly think doing what I said I would do is what helped me develop the reputation I have. A lot of people talk the talk, but do not walk the walk. I have said I would help the homeless and I have, even its just feeding them or small bits here or there. But, as the shop gets bigger and makes more money, I will be able to do more.

But, I will always stand by my word of helping the people in our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.patriotsandwichcompany.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriotsandwichcompany
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/patriot-sandwich-company-denton