Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Foxworth
Hi Brian , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story began in 2018 with *Rhythms Chicken and Waffles*, a family venture I started alongside my mom and dad. We began small, operating out of a food truck and serving our take on Southern comfort food to the San Diego community. The concept quickly took off, and by 2019, we expanded into a brick-and-mortar location in Pacific Beach.
Family is at the heart of everything we do. My dad, a well-known DJ who was a popular fixture on Z90 back in the day, brought a sense of rhythm and energy to our work. My mom, who worked for Sharp Hospital and also managed several entrepreneurial ventures, has been a guiding force in both business and life. I’ve followed in their footsteps, working in the cardiology department at Sharp Hospital while also pursuing my passion as a DJ and entrepreneur.
For four years, *Rhythms Chicken and Waffles* built a loyal following, known for our dedication to quality food and service. In 2023, we made the tough decision to close the business, but I saw it as a chance to explore new opportunities and evolve the concept. Financially, it was challenging, but it gave me the space to rebuild and reimagine the future of our brand.
Today, mom has took over and revamped into her own brand as *Mom’s Chicken and Waffles*, based in North Park, San Diego inside U31 Bar. Steve the owner of U31 loved the concept and food and the partnership has been great. We serve a larger menu with new energy and a focus on expanding our reach. We’ve been featured on Netflix’s *Fresh, Fried, and Crispy* and are actively seeking partnerships with local venues like San Diego State University, Petco Park, and Snapdragon Stadium to take the brand even further.
Looking ahead, we are ramping up our catering services and aim to open multiple locations. We are also seeking investors to help us bring this vision to life. From food truck to brick-and-mortar, our journey has been about resilience, family, and staying true to our Southern roots while embracing new possibilities.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most entrepreneurs, we’ve faced plenty of challenges along the way. Starting *Rhythms Chicken and Waffles* was exciting, but the early days were tough—juggling the demands of a growing business while maintaining a food truck and later moving to a brick-and-mortar location was no small feat. We had to learn how to scale, manage costs, and meet customer demand, all while staying true to our vision for the food.
The decision to close *Rhythms* in 2023 was one of the biggest challenges we’ve faced. After building a loyal following and finding success, shutting down was emotionally and financially difficult. It felt like a setback, but I realized it was an opportunity to rethink and refine the concept. Moving forward under a new brand meant starting over in many ways, which brought its own struggles, from securing funding to finding the right partnerships.
Financially, it has been a rollercoaster. We’ve had to be resourceful, cutting costs where we could and often working long hours without pay. As a family, we’ve relied on each other a lot.
We’ve also realized that in order to take *Mom’s Chicken and Waffles* to the next level, we need the support of the community and the city. It’s been incredible to see how people have responded to our food, but to grow—whether it’s expanding into catering or opening more locations—we need help spreading the word. The local community has been our foundation, and with their continued support, we’re excited to see what’s next.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely see myself as a risk-taker. In business, especially in the food industry, every move comes with some level of risk, but I’ve learned that you have to embrace it if you want to grow. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was stepping down from my full-time job in the cardiology department at Sharp Hospital and going per diem to focus more on *Mom’s Chicken and Waffles*. It was a difficult decision, especially considering the financial stability that comes with a full-time role, but I knew that if I didn’t invest more of my time and energy into the business, it wouldn’t have the chance to reach its full potential.
Taking that leap wasn’t easy, and it’s come with its share of challenges. Losing a steady paycheck while putting everything into the business has been stressful at times, but I believe in the vision for *Mom’s Chicken and Waffles*, and that belief has kept me pushing forward. Risk-taking, in my view, isn’t about being reckless—it’s about making calculated decisions that align with your goals, even if the outcome is uncertain.
I’ve also realized that risks are essential for growth. Whether it was moving from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar restaurant with *Rhythms Chicken and Waffles* or deciding to rebrand and relaunch as *Mom’s Chicken and Waffles*, every major step has involved some level of uncertainty. But each time, those risks have brought opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
In the end, I believe that the biggest risk is staying in your comfort zone and missing out on the potential to grow. Every challenge has been a lesson, and taking risks has helped me, and my business, evolve in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.momschickenandwaffles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momschickenandwaffles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2113258702253519
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/moms-chicken-and-waffles-san-diego?osq=moms+chicken+and+waffles
- Other: https://www.google.rs/search?q=Moms+Chicken+and+Waffles+3112+University+Ave+reviews
