Today we’d like to introduce you to Cliff Bramble.
Cliff, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My start in the restaurant business started at the age of fifteen when my grandfather Referred me to a local banquet hall in Coventry, Rhode Island. I worked for the entire night and was paid $5 and all of the Coca Cola I could drink.
From there, I got the restaurant bug and continued to Johnson & Wales College, and onto working for Marriott Hotels. I was fortunate to start work with Marriott and ultimately opened hotels for Marriott in La Jolla, Palm Desert, San Diego, and Rancho Mirage, all along working within their food and beverage operations and completing their management training programs. At those hotels, I was fortunate to work with some of the best hoteliers in the Country. They taught me everything from guest enjoyment to Human Resources to Finance, and Restaurant Operations. It was the best training anybody could have received. From there, I opened up several small businesses along with a coffee house and ultimately ended up in Atlanta working for The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group where I opened the restaurant called NAVA. I then went on to be the GM of Buckhead Bread Company. In 1998, I wrote a business plan for Rathbun’s Restaurant and ultimately co-founded Rathbun’s, Krog Bar, Kevin Rathbun Steak, and KR SteakBar. In 2015, I was recognized by the GA Rest Assn as Restauranteur of the Year. In 2016, I opened Noble Fin in Peachtree Corners, GA which is a steak and seafood restaurant. In 2017, I started Hungry Hospitality (www.hungryhospitality.com) which is a business and hospitality consulting company where I assist new and ongoing businesses and endeavors with their startups or ongoing concerns. My enjoyment in the financial background has also lead me to real estate and financial investments in early stage start-ups.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Things have never been easy and there have been failures and successes. When I was fifteen and my Mother sat me down and explained that we did not have much money but we will all work together to make it through a tough time was an experience that I still remember. She told me at that time that nothing was easy in life and that we will always have to work for everything that we wanted in life. I took that conversation very serious and try to instill it in my kids. Leaping into your own business is always a challenge too. The thoughts of not having the funding to start, or not enough business to make payroll is a daunting and humbling experience and these thoughts can keep you up at night.
When starting Rathbun’s in 2004, and after two weeks in business, there was only a small amount of money remaining in the bank and payroll needed to be met within five days. So that was the first challenge, but business picked up quickly and payroll was made. Starting Kevin Rathbun Steak was a challenge too because the bank required that I place my house as collateral for the large loan. Try taking on that challenge and then wondering if the loan would ever be paid off! Hard work and long hours is something that I still believe in and nothing can replace that thought. To sum it up, there was a time in my life that I only had a black leather rocking chair to my name. I still have the chair And looking at it daily reminds me of the successes and failures that I have had in my life. Hard work pays off.
Tell us more about the business.
At Noble Fin, we are a steak and seafood restaurant. While we may be known for seafood, we are loved for our steaks. We specialize in large parties, private dining with parties up to 60, as well as a la carte dining with a lively bar. As a company, we are most proud of the fact that we have longstanding employees who have been with the company since day one. That alone is an accomplishment that the guests expect. What sets us apart from our competitors is that we have seasoned employees who are willing to go the extra mile for the guest and ultimately keeps our loyal guests returning. That and three private dining rooms allow us to maintain our private dinners for small and large companies in our surrounding area.
I also own Hungry Hospitality (hungryhospitality.com) which is a hospitality consulting business. I assist restaurants, hotels, and startups with all types of business issues. One may have just started a restaurant but they are not aware of the business side of the operation or how to process payroll or deal with Human Resources. My background can help people in the restaurant, hotel, real estate, and new business arena and help them save thousands of dollars with one meeting.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Somebody once told me that in business and finance, you have to have the BLT of business. That’s having Balls to start a business or invest in something, have the Luck that you are doing it with the correct Timing of which you are going to get into business for yourself. I believe that luck can be good or bad and that sometimes good luck can be created by having the correct timing of a business cycle.
Contact Info:
- Address: Noble Fin Restaurant
5260 Peachtree Parkway
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 - Website: www.noblefin.com, www.hungryhospitality.com
- Phone: 770.599.7979
- Email: Cliff@noblefin.com
Image Credit:
Noble Fin
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