“Who’s Minding the Store?”
Why Food Businesses Fail Without Present Ownership

“Your dream deserves more than part-time energy.
Presence isn’t optional in food—it’s the main ingredient.”
— Mariette Kammerer

You can sense it before you even sit down. Something feels… off. The vibe is stale. The counter’s clean-ish. The food’s okay. But the energy? Flat. And energy matters.

More and more people are opening food businesses while still juggling full-time jobs or side careers. They have big dreams—open a bakery, a food shop, a smoothie bar. But what many don’t realize is that the mental shift into business ownership is just as important as the lease and the logo.

Instead of being present, these owners often hand over day-to-day operations to part-time employees—sometimes just teenagers or college students. And while many of these young workers are responsible and eager, they aren’t business owners. They can’t carry a vision that hasn’t been fully defined or led.

Let’s be clear: this is not a critique of any individual business or staff member. Every situation is unique, and this article reflects general observations and community experiences.

Speaking from personal experience, our family owns two laundromat businesses. In that model, it’s possible to pop in once a day, handle oversight, and let part-time staff manage the rest. The system is process-driven and doesn’t require constant interaction or fresh daily engagement.

But food is different. Food is alive. It’s sensory. It’s intimate. It requires care, consistency, and a human touch. You’re not just serving meals—you’re serving moments. Customers return for the feeling just as much as the flavor. When that feeling is missing, so is the business.

So here’s the truth: if you’re not mentally and emotionally present in your food business, no one else can fill that role for you. Leadership can’t be delegated. Culture isn’t created from a distance. It starts with you—daily.

Your dream deserves more than part-time energy. Show up. Be seen. Set the tone. Because when the heart of the business is missing, everything else starts to feel hollow.