Continuing with this month’s “big and bold” theme for our #DontBeAChicken campaign, Cape Coral Teriyaki Madness franchisee Frank Giuliano sets a prime example. A former firefighter, Giuliano opted out of traditional retirement to rekindle a flame that always burned inside of him – becoming an entrepreneur.
Giuliano, a 28-year resident of Cape Coral, Florida, fought the area’s fires for 26 years and served as the deputy battalion chief for the Bonita Springs Fire District. But he always felt the entrepreneurial spirit he was born with and had put to work in his mid-20s as the owner of a hot dog joint in Chicago.
When it came time for Giuliano to retire from a long career of firefighting, rather than sit back and put his life in cruise control, he decided to open his own restaurant. In May 2017, Giuliano opened the doors to his own Teriyaki Madness franchise, treating his community to the big, bold bowls of all-natural meats and fresh-cut vegetables that make mouths water all over the United States.
“I’ve always had the passion for business ownership,” he said. “When I found the Teriyaki Madness opportunity, I knew it was the right fit for me. Aside from having amazing food that’s different from what’s out there, they offer a proven operating system. When I was a kid owning my hot dog shop, I had no idea what I was doing. Teriyaki Madness gave me the opportunity to run a quality fast-casual restaurant with a tremendous amount of training and support.”
But Giuliano didn’t stop there. He wanted to be even more big and bold by giving back to Cape Coral. Giuliano partnered with Guardian Angels of Special Populations for his grand opening and plans to continue the relationship. Giuliano, whose niece and nephew have Down syndrome, donated $1 from the purchase of each Teriyaki Madness bowl to benefit the group. The charity, which operates out of the Freida B. Smith Special Populations Center in Cape Coral, organizes activities and events, as well as raises funds and awareness for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
A prime example of being bold and courageous, Giuliano shows how everyday can be a new and exciting challenge – even in “retirement.”
