Food Entrepreneurs Take Note!
New Restaurant Test Kitchen, Let PREP help PRE-Opening
Opening a Restaurant? Let PREP be your test kitchen.
Contact PREP Atlanta.. 404-920-4150
Use our Test Kitchen for your Recipe Testing and Development
Product Development, Staff Training, Team Building
and much more!
Get ready for your customers BEFORE you open to the public.
Do you have a special product that you want to bring to the wholesale and retail market?
PREP is licensed by the USDA, Georgia Department of Agriculture and the GA Dept of Health.
www.PREPatl.com
3300 Marjan Drive
Atlanta GA 30340
i-85/I-285 ITP, 15 minutes from most areas of Atlanta.
PREP Cook-Create-Connect is a fully licensed unique shared kitchen concept. Established with one goal in mind
to help build and support small food businesses in Metro Atlanta.
PREP provides state-of-the-art commercial shared kitchen space, test kitchens resources,
food procurement and guidance to a talented and creative class of entrepreneurs.
These are specialty food producers, baker, caterers and mobile food service operators,
along with the next generation of food artisans. PREP is a privately held company based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information about PREP please call (404) 920-4150
or visit www.PREPatl.com PREP on Facebook – PREP on Twitter
SauceHouse Barbecue expands Catering Operation to PREP 2 in Atlanta
An Athens favorite SauceHouse Barbecue has opened a new catering operation in PREp’s Atlanta campus.
Saucehouse BBQ expands with help of Prep Atlanta! Saucehouse BBQ expanded to Atlanta in 2017 with the help of unique shared and dedicated kitchen space concept called PREP Atlanta.
PREP originally started out as a shared kitchen space that was rent-able by the hour and opened their new concept PREP 2 in 2017 as a way for Restaurateurs, Catering Companies, and Food Trucks to have a kitchen space that was available for rent on a yearly contract versus hourly.
According to Saucehouse founder Christopher Belk “PREP 2 allowed us to gain entry into the Atlanta market by having a catering kitchen available with a hood, walk-in Cooler, 3 tub sink,
and commercial kitchen that was ready to be inspected for health department approval.
Working with PREP and its owners was a very easy and business friendly process and made it easier for Saucehouse to expand into the Atlanta market from Athens than it otherwise would have been.
“Saucehouse recently held their official grand opening held outside of their kitchen space at PREP 2 on April 27th.
Friends and Family were delighted to have a free catered lunch accompanied with a personal private tour of their state of the art kitchen space after eating some delicious BBQ!
For More Information about Saucehouse BBQ:
Website: https://saucehouse.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saucehousebbq/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO3GNogMMnARfa5-brv5qMw
PREP Cook-Create-Connect is a fully licensed unique shared kitchen concept. Established with one goal in mind, to help build and support small food businesses in Metro Atlanta.
PREP provides state-of-the-art commercial shared kitchen space, test kitchens resources, food procurement and guidance to a talented and creative class of entrepreneurs.
These are specialty food producers, baker, caterers and mobile food service operators, along with the next generation of food artisans. PREP is a privately held company based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information about PREP please call (404) 920-4150
or visit www.PREPatl.com PREP on Facebook – PREP on Twitter – PREP on Instagram – Truck & Tap – Atlanta Food Truck Catering
Did you know that the more than 50 pieces of artwork that line the walls of PREP are by our very own JR Marranci! Take a look at his website wwwArt-Atlanta.com – Jr’s Abstract Art on Facebook
Olympus Greek Teas – Flavor of Georgia Contest Winner!
PREP is Proud of our Finalists in the Flavor of Georgia Contest!
The annual contest, conducted by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is a chance for food businesses to showcase their new products.
A team of food industry experts and grocery buyers rated the products on qualities including innovation, use of Georgia theme, market potential and flavor.
Governor Nathan Deal, Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean and Director Sam Pardue congratulated the category and grand prize winners during Flavor of Georgia Day, part of Georgia Agriculture Awareness Week at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta.
“We had over 125 products submitted this year and some of the toughest competition we’ve seen in the contest’s 12-year history,” said Sharon P. Kane, Flavor of Georgia contest coordinator. “The 33 products represented are truly the best of the best.”
PREP Member Olympus Greek Mountain Teas won best of category for beverages.
Other finalists included Tru Truffle White Truffle Oil, and Meal Mate’s “Hollingsworth Butter Pecan Tart”
Showcase events like the 2018 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest help entrepreneurs spread the word about their products. Many participants have landed spots in regional and national grocery chains like Whole Foods, Ingles, Fresh Market, Earth Fare, Kroger and Harvey’s.
Category winners received an award and membership in the state Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program, statewide notoriety and bragging rights. All winners and finalists earn the right to have their products stamped with the 2018 Flavor of Georgia logo. They also gain exposure to grocery buyers and food industry professionals who judge the final round of the contest.
More info about the Flavor of Georgia Contest – click here – Georgia Grown Click Here for more info. – Story in Atlanta Journal Constitution
PREP Cook-Create-Connect is a fully licensed unique shared kitchen concept. Established with one goal in mind, to help build and support small food businesses in Metro Atlanta.
PREP provides state-of-the-art commercial shared kitchen space, test kitchens resources, food procurement and guidance to a talented and creative class of entrepreneurs.
These are specialty food producers, baker, caterers and mobile food service operators, along with the next generation of food artisans. PREP is a privately held company based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information about PREP please call (404) 920-4150
or visit www.PREPatl.com PREP on Facebook – PREP on Twitter – PREP on Instagram – Truck & Tap – Atlanta Food Truck Catering
PREP provides state-of-the-art commercial shared kitchen space, test kitchens resources, food procurement and guidance to a talented and creative class of entrepreneurs.
These are specialty food producers, baker, caterers and mobile food service operators, along with the next generation of food artisans. PREP is a privately held company based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information about PREP please call (404) 920-4150
or visit www.PREPatl.com PREP on Facebook – PREP on Twitter – PREP on Instagram – Truck & Tap – Atlanta Food Truck Catering
Gary Black GA Agriculture Commissioner Visits PREP!
PREP hosts Gary Black & House Ag Committee Members
PREP was proud to host a pre-legislative session tour of our campus with Gary Black, Members of the Georgia House of Representatives Agriculture Committee and Georgia Grown.
“The Georgia Grown program is a marketing and economic development program of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Their No. 1 goal is to aid our agricultural economies by bringing together producers, processors, suppliers, distributors, retailers, agritourism and consumers in one powerful, statewide community. Georgia Grown is here to help new agribusinesses grow, and established agribusinesses thrive.”
Many PREP producers proudly display the Georgia Grown logo on their products letting buyers know that there is a story behind their products. PREP Members are at the forefront of the Local and Clean Food Movement!
House Agriculture Committee Members visiting PREP included: Rep. Tom McCall (Chairman), Rep. Susan Holmes, Rep. Sam Watson, Rep. Dominic LaRiccia, Rep. Clay Pirkle, Rep. Jodi Lott, and Kathryn Epps on behalf of Rep. Bubba Epps.
PREP Cook-Create-Connect is a fully licensed unique shared kitchen concept. Established with one goal in mind, to help build and support small food businesses in Metro Atlanta.
PREP provides state-of-the-art commercial shared kitchen space, test kitchens resources, food procurement and guidance to a talented and creative class of entrepreneurs.
These are specialty food producers, baker, caterers and mobile food service operators, along with the next generation of food artisans. PREP is a privately held company based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information about PREP please call (404) 920-4150
or visit www.PREPatl.com PREP on Facebook – PREP on Twitter – PREP on Instagram – Truck & Tap – Atlanta Food Truck Catering
Did you know that the more than 50 pieces of artwork that line the walls of PREP are by our very own JR Marranci! Take a look at his website wwwArt-Atlanta.com – Jr’s Abstract Art on Facebook
PREP Industry Night @ Buckeye’s Getaway! Monday March 19th
PREP Takeover of Buckeye’s Getaway Industry Night!
On Monday, March 19th, Have a Drink on Us!
Take some time out of your busy schedule to come and socialize with our team, and have a couple of drinks on us!
This is an awesome time to get to know your fellow PREP Members and a way to reward you and your staff for a job well done!
We will throw out a couple of platters of chips and wings, however, this is also a time to show off your Mad Food Skilz if you want to bring a dish, or your specialty food products to share with the crowd.
Buckeye’s Getaway is a cafe located in the tall office building on the road behind PREP 2.
This place has been here for many years, and you will find out what it is like to take a step back into the 70’s
(Billboard Top 100 for February 1975)
Please RSVP so we can get an estimate and let them know what to expect.
Get ready to REPRESENT!
Click Here to RSVP
Buckeye’s Getaway
3300 Buckeye Road
Suite G-64
(Inside Buckeye Tower)
Atlanta, GA 30341
Suite G-64
(Inside Buckeye Tower)
Atlanta, GA 30341
Facebook, E-Commerce & Food Photography – PREP Mentor Series
PREP Mentor Series training classes
Wednesday March 7th
Facebook Marketing for Food Entrepreneurs
Set up an e-commerce site using Shopify
Photography Workshop using your mobile phones
Click Here To RSVP!
1. Facebook Business 101 – 10 am
If all that you know about Facebook is what you see to the left, this is the class for you. We will show you how to create a facebook page and a Facebook business page. This session will last about 30 minutes with 30 minutes for questions and answers.
Bring your laptop or tablet, loaded with photos and information. If you can turn on a computer, you can follow along as we walk you through this step by step!
1. 1 Facebook Advanced – Maximizing your business presence – 10:30 am
Facebook seminars presented by JR Santos, PREP Co-founder and Director of First Impressions.
There is little doubt that your first encounter with PREP was on the internet. All of PREP’s marketing and social media is done in-house by JR and Doug Marranci. With combined experience of 28 years of internet marketing and search engine optimization, we will walk you through creating your online Facebook presence.
This is a non-technical class.
Anyone can do it!
This second session will dive into developing your Facebook Business Page, linking and using the tools to maximize the exposure that Facebook can bring to your business.
Internet marketing is constantly changing and evolving. Following some simple steps will help keep you ahead of the curve, and contribute to your success in 2018!
This seminar is for PREP Members Only
and requires an RSVP.
2. Set up an e-commerce site using Shopify 11:00 am – Noon
Rick Herbst (PREP Member) Nonna’s Family Kitchen – Nonna’s on Facebook
Rick uses Shopify for Nonna’s Family Kitchen and will show you how to get started using this platform. Bring your laptop, get signed up, start a free trial, and learn about options available on Shopify so you can bring your products and services to life!
3. Social Hour (light snacks will be provided) Noon – 1 pm
4. Photography Workshop (using your mobile phones) 1 pm – 2 pm
JR Santos and Scott Lamphere (Gordon Food Service) will show you how to really take a look at your food and products and create professional quality photographs using simple plating techniques, backgrounds, still objects and easily available iPhone & Android Apps. This class is for EVERYONE (beginners). A Lightbox, studio lighting and backgrounds will be available. Bring a product or plate of your food, and we will help you bring your concept to life!
*. Automobile Detailing while you learn!
Special PREP Member offer from Bobby’s Shine Shop
Bo White, owner of Bobby’s Shine Shop will be at PREP during our Mentor Series Training Class, offering PREP Members
Superior Automobile Cleaning Services. Have your car or Food Truck detailed while you are learning! Bobby’s on Facebook Contact Bobby @ (762) 217-5801 directly and drive off with your spotlessly clean car! (weather permitting)
Seating is limited RSVP Today
Click Here To RSVP!
Start out your day by going to The Little Farmhouse Café in the front of PREP 2,
and have a cup of coffee on us!
Just say PREP Mentor Series www.mrdFoods.com
The seminar will be held at Suite 136 in the office right outside of the rear gate
at PREP 2. Look for the signs (3781 Presidential Parkway,)
PREP Cook-Create-Connect is a fully licensed unique shared kitchen concept. Established with one goal in mind, to help build and support small food businesses in Metro Atlanta.
PREP provides state-of-the-art commercial shared kitchen space, test kitchens resources, food procurement and guidance to a talented and creative class of entrepreneurs.
These are specialty food producers, baker, caterers and mobile food service operators, along with the next generation of food artisans. PREP is a privately held company based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information about PREP please call (404) 920-4150
or visit www.PREPatl.com PREP on Facebook – PREP on Twitter – Truck & Tap – Atlanta Food Truck Catering
Did you know that the more than 50 pieces of artwork that line the walls of PREP are by our very own JR Santos! Take a look at his website wwwArt-Atlanta.com – Jr’s Abstract Art on Facebook
“Building Your Brand” PREP Mentor Series – Wednesday February 14th!
PREP Mentor series
“Building Your Brand” Save the Date!
Wednesday February 14th!
PREP is excited to announce our Mentors for this seminar!
“HOW BRIGHT IS YOUR BRAND BULB?” 10 am and 2 pm – Scott Lamphere, Culinary Specialist and Corporate Chef Gordon Food Service
“Branding 101” 11:30 am Meyer Janet, Branding Expert, PREP Member “Cotton Cravings”
1-2 pm – Time for Q&A and getting to know your PREP Community Members, refreshments will be available!
This Mentor Series Seminar will be held at the office building in front of PREP 2. Using the pedestrian gate, or the driveway at the back of PREP, turn left and exit the rear gate. As you pass through this gate, you will see the PREP sign on the suite right in front of you.
Click Here to RSVP
This seminar is offered for PREP Members only!
Presenter Bios:
Scott Lamphere
Culinary Specialist / Corporate Chef
Gordon Food Services, Southeast
Scott is a native Texan who grew up in West Texas where his family was involved in both the farming and ranching community as well as their family owned restaurant business. Fun fact: His Grandparents’ restaurant is known for “inventing” the Chicken Fried Steak in Dawson County over 75 years ago.
Scott is self-taught and well mentored in all types of professional kitchens and culinary settings. For 22 years, he worked as a Healthcare Sales and Marketing Executive in the Pharmaceutical and Hospitality arenas. During this time he also honed his skills while owning a Culinary Consulting Firm called,
Small Town Kitchen Tablewhere he has worn several hats as a Culinary Consultant, Chef Instructor / Caterer, Cookbook Editor, Kitchen Coach and is a Certified Sensory and Tasting Judge for National, Regional and Local food and beverage competitions.
He serves on the Board of Directors for several food and beverage non-profit organizations and is a Volunteer Event Chef for The Giving Kitchen, Georgia Grown, 7 Bridges Mission, Mercy Chefs, Taste of Atlanta, and Les Dames de Escoffier.
In addition to being a regular Chef-Instructor with The Cook’s Warehouse, he is a member of IACP, Southeastern Foodways, The Culinary Trust, The Hospitality Syndicate and FoodService Resource Associates, LLC
Meyer J. Janet B.Com, MBA, CA(SA),CPA(ISR)
- – CFO of large retail chain in South Africa
- – Director of Suzuki Distributors
- – Franchise holder of major fashion and sporting apparel brands
- – Management consultant to major corporations in the toy and the wine industry
- – Partner in UK executive search practice
- – Partner and founder of Design Plus a licensing and branding boutique in 1995 in USA Clients include: Coca Cola, Taco Bell, Anheuser Busch, KFC, Kellogg’s, Post Cereals, Hormel, Kikkoman, Super Pretzel and ICEE.
- – Long standing member of LIMA (licensing industry merchandisers association)
- – Contributor to articles in LIMA publications and Entrepreneur Magazine
- – Partner in Cotton Cravings LLC
Branding 101 Synopsis
- 1 The dream- concept- Reason vs Passion
- 2 The Unique Selling Proposition
- 3 Brand name, Graphics etc.
- 4 Scanning the market and matching Threats and Opportunities to Strengths and Weakness
- 5 Mission Statement and setting of goals
- 6 Brand positioning
- 7 Brand Equity and Message
- 8 Getting the message to market and staying on message
- 9 The Extended Product and living up to consumer expectations
Article in Voyage Atlanta featuring Doug Marranci Co-Founder PREP
Meet Doug Marranci of PREP Cook | Create | Connect in Spaghetti Junction
Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Marranci.
Doug has been in the restaurant industry for 35-years. As a child he worked in his family’s food service business, and his passion for the industry followed him into adulthood. He has owned and operated seven restaurants in the Carolinas, and was involved in the conceptualization of numerous restaurant ventures, which ran the gamut from coffee houses to upscale Mediterranean dining. After leaving the food service business to start a Real Estate Brokerage company.
In 2010, Doug was given the task of leasing a local commissary kitchen space, and quickly discovered that there was a large and growing demand in Metro Atlanta for commissary kitchen space and shared kitchen facilities. After hearing stories from disparate food producers who were unexpectedly put out of business due to changes in food service regulations, Doug devoted himself to sharing his vast store of restaurant operational and promotional experience to help this unsupported group of small food business owners.
After working on the business and plan for 2 years, Doug and his partner JR Santos met up with Mitch and Michele Jaffe, and after two more years of planning, PREP was born. PREP’s goal is to eliminate the barriers to entry in starting a food business, and to provide food business acceleration services and facility resources.
Has it been a smooth road?
There were many false starts while trying to launch this new business. We worked with other food facilities to provide operators with a place to produce, but the reality was that this project would need to be built from the ground up. Navigating the rules and regulations of the FDA, USDA, Georgia Department of Agriculture and State and County Environmental health was a daunting task that took more than a year to put together into a plan.
Bringing products to market is daunting for PREP Members, and Doug has helped these startup food companies partner with amazing growth opportunities.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with PREP Cook | Create | Connect – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
With a great food idea or concept, PREP makes it easy to get started in the food business. We handle all of the permitting with our Members, as well as reducing the financial barriers to starting a food business. We have helped accelerate more than 200 food businesses. We provide all of the resources necessary so our Members don’t have to re-invent the wheel.
PREP is one of the only food accelerators that are permitted by every food authority (FDA, USDA, GDA and Environmental Health). These authorities refer people to us when they call to get information. That is the one of highest compliments that could be given to PREP!
PREP has had many Members graduate and move on to their own production facilities. Many of our Members have been on Oprah’s Favorites list, and many have won national and international contracts based on operating at PREP.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Doug’s love for Atlanta stems from the vibrant food scene. From fine dining to chicken joints, as well as the Farmers Markets all over the area. There is a great mix of cultures in Atlanta, which makes the available ingredients in Atlanta is phenomenal.
There is nothing Doug loves more than sitting down 1 on 1 with PREP Members to work on business development. Even just the simplest ideas will turn into a wealth of resources to help these budding entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Doug loves tenacity. The most fun people to work with have jumped into their business with both feet, and have a “can do” and a never give up attitude.
I imagine that many people answer this one the same, I least like driving around Atlanta. Rush hour is, well, always hour.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3300 Marjan Drive
Atlanta GA 30340 - Website: www.PREPatl.com
- Phone: 404-920-4150
- Email: doug@prepatl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepatl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrepAtl/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PREPATLANTA
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/pg/PrepAtl/videos/
PREP Cook-Create-Connect is a fully licensed unique shared kitchen concept. Established with one goal in mind
to help build and support small food businesses in Metro Atlanta.
PREP provides state-of-the-art commercial shared kitchen space, test kitchens resources, food procurement and guidance to a talented and creative class of entrepreneurs.
These are specialty food producers, baker, caterers and mobile food service operators, along with the next generation of food artisans. PREP is a privately held company based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information about PREP please call (404) 920-4150
or visit www.PREPatl.com PREP on Facebook – PREP on Twitter – Truck & Tap Woodstock – Truck & Tap Alpharetta – Atlanta Food Truck Catering
Did you know that the more than 50 pieces of artwork that line the walls of PREP are by our very own JR Santos!
Take a look at his website Jr’s Abstract Art for sale in Atlanta – Jr’s Abstract Art on Facebook
PREP’s Culture is People! Shared Kitchens – Food Producers
People make working at PREP’s Shared Kitchen Fun!
PREP’s Shared Kitchen is always full of every type of food entrepreneur from Bakers, Caterers, Specialty Food Producers, Juice Manufacturers, food trucks and many more!
There is never a dull moment in PREP’s Shared Kitchen. You have the support of more than 100 food start up owners to share ideas, resources and success. More than 200 businesses have been launched at PREP. 400+ jobs have been created here. Don’t you want to be a part of this too?
Starting your own food business with PREP is a breeze. We help with licensing and permitting. Our website and social media is seen by thousands of people each week. PREP has relationships with third party vendors who can help with any needs from recipe development, food safety training, packaging, labeling, marketing and much more!
Bring out your ideas for that sauce, candy, jelly, beverage or mama’s famous recipe and launch your food business today.
PREP is a platform for Atlanta’s creative food entrepreneurs to achieve their aspirations in this local food centric area. Consumers want to see lists of ingredients that they can pronounce. Many producers started after making products in their homes for family members with specific dietary restrictions. Word spread about these wonderful products and a business was born.
If you are ready to launch your food business, or accelerate your business to the next level, PREP is the place for you. Give Michele a call @ 404-920-4150 Today!
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PREP Cook-Create-Connect is a fully licensed unique shared kitchen concept. Established with one goal in mind
to help build and support small food businesses in Metro Atlanta.
PREP provides state-of-the-art commercial shared kitchen space, test kitchens resources, food procurement and guidance to a talented and creative class of entrepreneurs.
These are specialty food producers, baker, caterers and mobile food service operators, along with the next generation of food artisans. PREP is a privately held company based in Atlanta, GA.
For more information about PREP please call (404) 920-4150
or visit www.PREPatl.com PREP on Facebook – PREP on Twitter – Truck & Tap – Atlanta Food Truck Catering
Did you know that the more than 50 pieces of artwork that line the walls of PREP are by our very own JR Santos! Take a look at his website Jr’s Abstract Art for sale in Atlanta – Jr’s Abstract Art on Facebook