On today's show I sat down with Indiana entrepreneurs Mark and Lauren Weghorst, founders of central Indiana's fast-growing seafood restaurant Slapfish, which has its original location inside Broccoli Bill's in Noblesville, one on Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis, one in Fishers at The Yard, and another in Carmel's Market District. A fifth location is set to open this fall in Indy's Meridian-Kessler neighborhood.
Mark shares how a failed tenant restaurant space at the family's Broccoli Bill's grocery store led him to Google "fast casual seafood concepts" and pursue Slapfish. The Weghorsts risked everything while raising three young kids, from receiving an SBA loan to emptying their savings and using their home as collateral.
They describe the frantic early days of opening in 2019, a packed grand opening, learning operations with little experience, and staying open through COVID during Lent, which ultimately boosted carryout and delivery growth. As the broader Slapfish brand contracted, they expanded locally and built a commissary prep model for consistency, all while focusing on community involvement and better family balance.
If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.
You are going to learn about:
- Where the Idea of Slapfish Originated
- The Risks the Weghorsts Took to Launch Slapfish
- How Slapfish Successfully Navigated COVID
- What Makes Slapfish Unique From Other Seafood Restaurants
Thank you to our partners:
Elements Financial
Check out these great clips from the show:
00:00 All In Mindset
01:29 Guest Introduction: Mark and Lauren Weghorst, Slapfish
02:18 Why Seafood in Indiana
03:57 Broccoli Bill's Origins
08:57 How They Met
10:42 Pro Golf Hustle Years
17:26 Back Home and Broccoli Bill's Expansion
19:47 Restaurant Tenant Leaves
20:46 Googling Slapfish Franchise
22:54 Risking Everything with Kids
27:10 SBA Loan and Franchise Deal
29:33 Training and Scrappy Buildout
32:05 Grand Opening Chaos
33:17 Early Ops Struggles and Loyal Fans
34:35 Why It Took Off
35:16 Payroll Stress Reality
38:12 COVID Pivot Wins
40:48 Franchise Collapse Fallout
42:18 Mass Ave Momentum
43:37 Supply Chain Scramble
45:45 Midwest Growth Vision
47:36 Seafood Logistics Midwest
49:33 Commissary Consistency
53:10 Redefining Success Balance
59:23 Choosing Meridian Kessler
01:00:50 Lessons For The Kids
01:04:48 Indiana Rapid Fire
01:06:48 Advice And Hidden Gems
01:12:31 Final Wrap And Where To Find
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