46
September 20 - October 3, 2014
Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
‘Heroic’ move means success for Chandler brothers BY SCOTT SHUMAKER
Brothers Aaron and Rudi Sinykin have a unique perspective on the food business. They’ve succeeded as part of a national food franchise, but have changed their course and created Kettle Heroes. Aaron, 37, of Chandler, and Rudi, 34, of Gilbert, started the company a little more than year ago and have already found success. The CEO of Bashas’, Edward “Trey” Basha III, after tasting their kettle corn by chance, helped put their product on the shelves of his stores. Kettle Heroes was also selected by the Arizona Cardinals this season to be one of the featured local food trucks at the Arizona Cardinals Flight Deck on the north plaza of University of Phoenix Stadium. As the brothers’ homegrown brand finds a foothold, the community benefits, too. Kettle Heroes donates 20 percent of its profits to the Pat Tillman Foundation. Rudi Sinykin says they chose the Pat Tillman Foundation because Aaron attended ASU while Tillman played for the Sun Devils. “The Pat Tillman Foundation has been really important to us because (Tillman) has been a continuing inspiration for us,” he says. The brothers love supporting local, but they started out national. In 2009, Aaron Sinykin was one of the youngest Subway franchisees in the state when he was named one of the “Top 35 Entrepreneurs Under 35” by The Arizona Republic. Aaron grew his company to 12 Subway restaurants with the help of Rudi and business partner John Greer. The Sinykins’ Chandler locations included Subways at Pecos and McQueen roads and Ray and Cooper roads. But after years of operating successful Subway franchises, the business group decided to take a different path. “It was time to take the entrepreneur’s leap and try something on our own and prove a concept from the ground up while
Rudi, who considers himself a “foodie,” says he is proud to be a part of the Valley food-truck scene, which includes many passionate chefs. But besides contributing to Arizona’s local food culture, the brothers’ inside knowledge of business and the food industry make them eager to boost the economic effects of eating local. “Part of the thing with being a local company (is) more of the tax dollars and the money that you’re spending on purchasing supplies will go back and recycle into the local community versus a franchise system,” Rudi says. “At Subway, we did buy a lot of stuff through our main distributors here locally, but all the royalties that we paid were going to support corporate headquarters in another state.” Rudi says patrons don’t have to sacrifice to snack local. He suggests that prospective customers try Kettle Heroes. “I think you’ll be happily surprised,” he says. LOCAL SUPPORT: Rudi Sinykin and son, Hillel, of Gilbert sell locally owned Kettle Heroes popcorn at the Gilbert Farmers Market. Submitted photo
we were still young,” Rudi says. They sold their Subway restaurants and, in the spring of 2013, began creating a business. They ran a design contest and selected a logo from 99 submissions. Rudi says they chose the superheroes theme because they wanted the brand to be built on supporting the local economy and giving back to the community. Last year, Rudi and Greer created the kettle corn flavors and experimented with the popping process and flavors to create six recipes. They decided to make their kettle corn all natural, kosher, and GMO- and gluten-free. Some of the flavors are creative, ranging from original to cayenne lime and “movie theater.” Rudi says the process of developing each recipe was a learning
process, but they eventually created a kettle corn that is light and flavorful at the same time. Lots of research when into finding their style, he says. “If you see my office, I have any and every type of popcorn imaginable—just bag after bag,” he says. “I’ve tried everything. I call it my war room. I look at everything everyone else is doing.” Kettle Heroes is creative about distribution, too. In addition to selling in retail stores like Bashas’, the company sells at farmers’ markets, operates a fleet of food trucks and sells direct from its website, www.kettleheroes.com. Its food trucks can be booked for events, and it will even make customized bags of kettle corn with unique labels.
Where to Find Kettle Heroes • Bashas’ Markets, Chandler, Mesa and Tempe • A.J.’s Fine Foods, Mesa • Gilbert Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays • In front of Walmart at 35th and Southern Avenues, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays • In front of Walmart at Priest Drive and Elliot Road, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays • Arizona Cardinals Flight Deck, North Plaza University of Phoenix Stadium, opens 10:45 a.m. on game days. Scott Shumaker is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@santansun.com.
Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities back with its pub quiz Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities’ pub quiz has returned, and organizers are armed with new subject matter and thought-provoking questions—and a new twist on scoring. The pub quiz is played at Coach and Willie’s at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. Test your knowledge on history, people, science, politics, entertainment and, of course, Ireland. The games benefit the ChandlerTullamore Sister Cities’ Student Ambassador
Program. Entry fee is $10, all tax deductible through the nonprofit. Cash bar and restaurant menu available. This event is open to the public; no cellphones allowed. Registration and payment can be made online at www. chandlerirish.org. For further information, contact Ellen Harrington at (480) 600-8509 or chan.to.tull@gmail.com. Also upcoming is the fourth annual
Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities Southwest Tea from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Chandler’s Community Center ballroom, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., downtown Chandler. Lunch will be provided by Coach and Willie’s, with desserts by the tea committee. There will be entertainment and raffle baskets. Proceeds will further the sister cities’ mission of education, business and cultural exchanges.
Open to the public, this event requires reservations. Southwest Tea tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 11 and younger before Oct. 1. Afterward, it will cost $20 for adults and $15 children 11 and younger. Payment must be made on the organization’s website, www.chandlerirish. org. For more information, contact Sharon Anderson at duner@cox.net or (480) 2294924.
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