Franchisees Testimonials
Bob Ammon, Franchisee and Development Agent of Eastern Maryland
Bob Ammon, a former New York City police officer, had been looking at franchises for two years. He went to a franchising show in Washington D.C., thinking that he was ready to sign on with a barbecue restaurant chain.
It was at the show that Bob first heard about The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.® The more he learned, the more he liked the concept, the executive team behind it and the authentic New York food. The idea of opening a barbecue joint no longer appealed to him.
He said to his wife: “We really should visit this restaurant in Delray Beach, Florida.”
During his visit, he met the seasoned and strong executive team behind the company. He spent time in the restaurant, learned about the water treatment system and tasted the food.
“Everything tasted great, from the bagels right down to the ice cubes made of coffee,” Bob said. “We just knew that it would work.”
Many people in Maryland have experienced a New York bagel. They know what makes a good bagel.
It was his meeting with the company founder, chairman and CEO, Steven M. Fassberg, that sealed his decision. He saw his entrepreneurial zeal, his passion for the concept and the product.
“I have that same passion for food and the restaurant business,” Bob said. “I just thought it was contagious. And it just made a lot of sense.”
Bob is the franchisee of The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. restaurant in Pikesville, Maryland. He is also overseeing the development of franchises throughout eastern Maryland.
Michael D’Angelo, Franchisee and Development Agent of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast in Florida and North Carolina.
It was a friend who told Michael D’Angelo III, a former Brooklyn firefighter and Sept. 11 first responder, that he had to visit The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.’s first restaurant in Delray Beach, Florida.
So he went and ordered one plain bagel with plain cream cheese. When he took the first bite, he knew.
“One bite and it was over,” he said.
Michael knew immediately that he wanted to get involved with Brooklyn Water Enterprises, Inc.™ He looked for the company’s founder, chairman and CEO, Steve M. Fassberg, and told him:
“I’m going to be your first franchisee,” he said.
You have the perfect product. It’s scalable and franchise-able.
“I saw it instantly,” Michael said.
Michael told all his friends and family that the product is perfect.
“People who know me, know that I know food,” he said.
Michael is a Fordham University graduate who worked in restaurants as a teenager and later owned a New York Italian restaurant and a catering company. So he recognized immediately that The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. had a winning business model. It’s easy to replicate and easy to teach.
The one thing that can’t be duplicated, Michael said, is the passion Steve has for the brand, product and company. When the owner is so passionate, the company can’t help but be successful.
The 20-year Brooklyn firefighter and restaurateur identifies possible franchisees and guides them in developing and operating stores in Palm Beach County, the Treasure Coast and North Carolina.
Tony Yang, Franchisee and Atlanta-area Development Agent
Tony Yang started out as a waiter and through his hard work, drive and determination rose through the food service industry ranks to own two successful Savannah-area restaurants.
He was considering the next step in his career and researching various options when he came across The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. He was impressed with the concept and the team behind it.
He decided to take what he had learned from his years of working as a waiter, a restaurant manager and owner to help the company with its rapid expansion.
“I can use what I learned running successful restaurants to grow a franchise,” Tony said.
From his years in the restaurant business, he quickly recognized Brooklyn Water Enterprises, Inc.’s cutting-edge concept as something that customers want – authentic Brooklyn bagels and food made with Brooklynized™ water served fresh that’s reasonably priced.
As an immigrant from China, Tony learned the restaurant business from the ground up. After spending time as a waiter, Tony moved into management. For the next couple of years, he helped run his employers’ restaurant. Eventually, he bought a share of the business, and from there he went on to open two of his own.
There’s no better training ground to learn the details of running a successful restaurant than to experience it as employee and a manager and then as the person responsible for its ultimate success. Tony has been there. And he’s confident that he can have even greater success with The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Tony is the franchisee of The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also overseeing the development of franchises throughout the Atlanta area.