Meet Jerry Lin of T-Swirl Crepe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Lin.

Hi Jerry, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I arrived in NYC in 2000, and my first job was as a server at a Japanese restaurant. After a year, I was promoted to learn how to cook. Eventually, I became a Hibachi chef after just a few months, a job I continued for a decade until 2012, honing my skills and developing an appreciation for the flavors and techniques of Japanese cuisine.

Back then 2014, Japanese crepes were very popular in Asia countries and I incidentally saw it from the internet and I was surprised to learn that it was as popular as sushi and ramen in Japan but wasn’t well-known in the US. It might be a good opportunity to introduce Japanese Crepes to the American Market. But it wasn’t just about being different for the sake of it. Japanese crepes can be sweet and savory, opening many possibilities for creative menu offerings. What excited me was the prospect of using fresh, healthy ingredients to make delicious food that people could feel good about eating. As I continued to explore this idea, I had an “a-ha” moment when I realized that I could modify the way crepes are served to make them a perfect on-the-go food. This innovation has been a key factor in making T-Swirl Crepe a success.

Overall, T-Swirl Crepe has been successful because we have stayed true to our mission of providing innovative, fresh, and delicious food that people can enjoy anytime, anywhere. And we will continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with crepes to delight and surprise our customers daily.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As an entrepreneur, my journey with T-Swirl Crepe has been filled with challenges and rewards. When we first launched, one of our biggest challenges was educating American customers about Japanese crepes, which were different from French crepes. In 2015, we began franchising the T-Swirl Crepe model by partnering with passionate individuals who shared our vision of bringing T-Swirl Crepe to more people across America. The COVID-19 pandemic presented the most difficult challenge for a business. I am incredibly grateful for the camaraderie that emerged amongst everyone in the T-Swirl Crepe family – our franchisees and everyone here at the headquarters as we worked together to keep our business going. We were able to pivot towards delivery and takeout options, and our customers turned into advocates for the brand due to our commitment to providing healthy and fresh ingredients. Throughout all these challenges, I have been humbled by the dedication and passion of everyone involved in T-Swirl Crepe – from our franchisees to our customers. I am grateful for the opportunity to have built a business that brings people joy and satisfaction, and I am excited to see what the future holds for T-Swirl Crepe.

We’ve been impressed with T-Swirl Crepe, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
At T-Swirl Crepe, we see ourselves as a fun brand in the healthy food industry that appeals to a wide demographic. We’ve always been a relatable brand. From the tone of our brand communication to the comfort & trust a customer feels when placing an order for a customized crepe to meet their dietary preference, we strive hard to be seen as humans, not a business. When was the last time you heard of a complete family of 3 generations being excited over a salad order?

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Just ask! People are friendly and want to help when they genuinely can. Being humble and respectful can go a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.t-swirlcrepe.com
• Instagram: @tswirlcrepe

Image Credits
Anshul Bhatia