My Biz: Catering company cooks up winning recipe

CEDAR RAPIDS - Christophe Granger spent years in Los Angeles serving meals to famous people.

But seeking a better quality of life, he and his wife, Wendy, moved their family to Colorado and then to Iowa, settling in Cedar Rapids in 2010.

'In L.A. we drove 100 miles per day. In Colorado we drove 100 miles a week. Here in Iowa we drive 100 miles in one month,” said Wendy.

The Grangers had dreams of opening their own catering business - which they did last year when the couple opened The Hungry Rooster.

'Coming to Cedar Rapids truly afforded us the opportunity to start our own business, which would have been impossible in L.A.,” Wendy said.

The Hungry Rooster caters corporate events in addition to being the cafeteria manager and contracted caterer for the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids.

Ten months ago they started serving breakfast and dinner during first, second and third shift Monday through Friday inside the manufacturing plant.

'Breakfast is served in the morning and then we change out our menu by midmorning to the supper menu which is served fresh three times throughout the day,” Christophe said. 'That lets us focus on quality and freshness.”

The Hungry Rooster's non-traditional approach to operating the cafeteria has brought them quick success, said Wendy.

'This is a place where employees are eating every day for their nourishment. So you can't just have burgers and pizza every day,” she said. 'We don't view it as a cafeteria. It's their home away from home.”

They have become known for their signature sauces, which they make from scratch.

The Grangers - who have been married for 23 years - are still learning to work side by side.

'I assumed our biggest challenge was going to be developing our reputation,” Wendy said. 'But it was the learning curve from the business standpoint. We are now learning to appreciate each others strengths in a business setting.”

Wendy, the chief operating officer, handles many of the business elements while Christophe, who has years of extensive experience in the food services industry, serves as CEO and is in charge of all the menus.

When they are not busy running the cafeteria, The Hungry Rooster's catering division provides food for events for anywhere from five to 1,000 people.

But their business ideas don't stop there. The Grangers are starting up a food truck - called the Road Rooster - in the coming weeks.

'It will be going to offices buildings around town for lunches during the week,” Christophe said. 'It will give office workers the opportunity not to have to leave work for a nice meal.”

l Know a manager or company in business for more than a year that would be ideal for 'My Biz”? Contact Chelsea Keenan at Chelsea.Keenan@thegazette.com.

At a glance

l Names: Wendy and Christophe Granger

l Titles: Co-owners

l Company: The Hungry Rooster

l Phone: (319) 766-7837

l website: www.thehungryroostercatering.com