Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mathieu De Villaire. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mathieu, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

Coming from Canada, we were surprised by how many fast-food places there are in the US and how well they do. Even though we didn’t know much about running a restaurant, we figured if we learned from big fast-food chains, we might have a better chance at success. We realized we needed things to be fast, with a simple menu and not too many ingredients to keep everything organized. What makes us stand out? We use real and healthy ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, organic honey, and fresh herbs. Our dressings take less than 5 minutes to make, so we can avoid using preservatives in small batches. Our flavors are different from other places, and we focus on a healthy lifestyle, encouraging good eating habits, exercise, and peace of mind.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

“Eat like you love yourself” isn’t just our slogan; it’s our way of life. We’ve always had a hard time finding a healthy place to eat that also serves delicious food—most options are bland and boring.

When we launched Kiwano Fresh Love, our goal was clear: create the tastiest recipes, even if it meant higher food costs. This commitment pushed us to be super efficient in other parts of our business, focusing on three key areas:

1. **The food:** We refuse to compromise on quality for cheaper options. The best ingredients are essential for making the most delicious food.

2. **The ambiance:** Our place is designed to make people feel good, with calming colors, refined decor, and a commitment to cleanliness throughout the restaurant. A clean environment sends the right message.

3. **Customer service:** Our customer service goes above and beyond. We treat customers like friends, remembering names and preferences so they feel at home. Kiwano Fresh Love is unlike any other place.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Leaving Quebec, Canada, meant selling our family home and investing our life savings into an uncertain project in Florida. Unsure if locals would embrace our concept, we took the leap. Despite initial success with five-star reviews across all of the platforms, a deal with investors to sell our first location fell through after six months, nearly leading to financial ruin threatening our capacity to stay in the US and forcing us to return to Canada with empty pockets. We recognized the need for more focus on marketing and business growth. Determined not to fail, we worked harder, and the business started growing daily. Eventually, friends joined us, transforming our losses into success and providing the best business partnership. Our resilience turned the tide.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

In Florida, we connected with Michael and Marilyn, fellow Canadians with kids the same age as ours. Quickly becoming friends, they witnessed our journey from the start and stood by us during struggles with investors. Despite the uncertainty of a startup with limited results, they took their time to analyze the business before deciding to invest. Their choice proved right, and Kiwano has a promising future, not just in Florida but across the entire US!

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Kiwanofreshlove.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiwano_freshlove?igsh=bTZ4eGpqbWR2cHkz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089750024632&mibextid=opq0tG
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kiwanollc/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kiwanofreshlove?si=RV7OD7IYn2Z–ZFn
• Yelp: Kiwano fresh love