Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Leugoud.
Hi Alexandra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My husband and I have always been food people. We were attending college for our different degrees when the opportunity to open a restaurant arose. We decided to go for it! We had been giving so much of our energy to other people that we decided to start using that energy for ourselves. We rented our space in the summer of 2019 and opened by September. Our food is fresh and very flavorful so we became a neighborhood favorite. Then the pandemic hit . . . bum bum bum. Luckily we are a to-go style restaurant, so we were able to fight our way through and stay open. It has been a lot of hard work, and we are so grateful for our customers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything other than a smooth road. We opened in September 2019, so we only got a few months of business in before the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily these few months allowed us to build a solid group of regulars who helped spread the word about our awesome food. It also allowed us to build business before we had to rely on third-party delivery companies who take as much as 28% from every order. Having a majority of our customers order through these companies hurt us more than helped us, and now we find ourselves canceling one of the ordering platforms each month. Customers have no idea that these companies take such a large chunk of our money and then also charge the customers fees for delivery and upkeep. We are informing as many of our customers as possible, but this is something that needs to be addressed through policy either nationally or on a state level. I hope it is addressed nationally because it is causing artificial inflation of restaurant prices which is unsustainable in the long run.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Falafel Express?
We are a Halal quick-service Mediterranean restaurant where you build your own bowls and wraps. We are known for having very fresh and flavorful food at affordable prices. We make everything in-house from family recipes. My husband is originally from Saudi Arabia, so our flavors are a bit different from all of the other Mediterranean restaurants in Kansas City. Also, he makes traditional lamb kabsa every Friday, and this has become a quick favorite. So, if you are in the mood for fall of the bone, slow-cooked lamb shank, come and visit us on Fridays, but remember to reserve your order because we regularly sell out. We are most proud of our authenticity and down to Earth nature of our brand. As the owners, we work in the restaurant, so we get to know our customers and provide that small-town experience. We get to know not only your order but you as a person. We value community and the connections that come with it.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think that our friendliness is a major component to our success. We treat our customers like individuals and people, not just a source of revenue. We care about providing our customers with a great experience and a chance to experiment with their food choices. We offer samples for those who have not had our food before. We want our customers to make informed choices and to enjoy their food, not regret what they have purchased. Also, we extend this friendliness to our employees. Many of our employees are young teenagers, and we are their first job experience. I love teaching them about the job and also how to become more responsible in life.
Pricing:
- Wraps: $8.99
- Bowls: $10.99
- Lamb Kabsa: $17.99
- Falafel Side: $6.99
- Hummus or Babaganoush: $5.99
Contact Info:
- Email: falafel.express.kc@gmail.com
- Website: www.falafelexpressop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/falafel_expresskc/
Image Credits:
Mike Zingg
