An entrepreneur with a variety of businesses in Andover is doubling down on the town as he prepares to open a new takeaway.
JF Gungor is preparing to open Stax N Snax, a new fast food outlet, in the Walworth Industrial Estate near to Greggs and Starbucks. Already owning three other takeaways in town, he hopes his latest venture will fill a gap in the market.
“Stax N Snax will provide home made burgers and fast food,” the 40-year-old said. “I think that’s what people are missing in Andover. It’s in a good location with parking, so I hope that will also draw people in.”
Mr Gungor began work at an early age, with his family moving from Turkey in 1980 to the White City Estate in London. He began as a paper boy at the age of 13, and has never looked back.
“I started in my father’s kebab shop in Acton,” he said. “I worked there at the weekend, and after I finished secondary school I started managing it. Since then, we’ve opened 80 shops around the UK as we’ve expanded.”
He operates a variety of franchises across the country, and in Andover, was responsible for the recent opening of Fireaway Pizza on Union Street. He also runs Charcoal Grill, and runs Tidworth Kebab over in Wiltshire, to name but some of his businesses, all of which he has operated over the past two years.
“Personally, since I’ve been here I like Andover compared to London,” he said. “It’s more calm, the people are nice and friendly, and you see familiar faces in the high street, which you don’t get in London.
“There’s a lot of potential in Andover. There’s the potential to grow with the town as it expands, and I’m always looking for new opportunities.”
Stax N Snax, his latest venture, is currently being worked on in the Walworth Industrial Estate. Signage has already gone up, but there are still a few key issues to be resolved before it can open.
“The electrics are done, but the gas situation is the sticking point,” Mr Gungor said. “We’re having issues with getting a gas meter fitted, so it’s been dragged out. As a result, I can’t give a precise opening date yet, but when I do have one I will do a great discount offer for the friendly people of Andover to make up for it.”
While Stax N Snax is still being prepared, he’s already planning his next idea, with thoughts of a fruit and vegetable cash and carry similar to Bookers, which closed earlier this year, in the industrial estate.
It would be open to businesses and members of the public, while he is also considering a delivery service and app for those that can’t make it in person.
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