When Robert “Sully” Sullivan first interviewed Andrew Clack about a job at Sully’s Steamers on West Washington Street in downtown Greenville, Clack told him point-blank that he didn’t do customers.
Clack, then 19 years old, believed he was all production. He wanted to stay on the line making sandwiches. That wasn’t an option at the locally-founded steamed bagel shop.
Ten years later, Clack is on the precipice of opening his location of the franchise at 17 Milestone Plaza off Pelham Road. The restaurant announced its opening in May of last year.
Clack worked at the flagship location until a month ago. With things heating up, he had to focus on the new store.
His mindset is completely different from a decade ago.
“I can’t wait to get back to the customers,” Clack said. “I’m realizing more and more that’s the most important thing. The people, interactions are the most important thing. I’m so excited to open the store on Pelham and start to be a part of that community.”
Clack is the first formal graduate of the franchise pipeline program.
“We tried to define the skills that we think it takes to actually run a business as opposed to just being in a business and then develop those skills,” Sullivan said.
Sully’s Steamers pipeline
The company has grown from five locations to 12 – some still preparing to open – since it began franchising in 2021. The pipeline program is an integral part of continued growth, along with traditional outside franchisees.
Sully’s has seen employees grow into ownership, but the implementation of a structured program was something Sullivan had talked about for a long time. Sullivan credits Clack as a pioneer for the program, as he has been there from the beginning to get systems in place.
For Clack, it is an opportunity three years in the making that involves investment on the part of both the franchise and franchisee.
“I was putting in the sweat equity. I was doing the work in-store,” he said. “They saw that, and for them to provide me that opportunity to go open up a store … it’s inspiring for all these people in here.”
Clack will open up the new location with co-owner Shawna Fesler.
Sully’s Steamers Pelham Road is expected to open in March.
