Page 11 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Online Magazine

HONORING SMALL BUSINESSES

to cut back hours at first and change shifts around a little,
but he got them back to work. Many of his staff chose to
work and did not apply for unemployment benefits.
For this year, sales are down. There will be no profitability,
no loss but no gain. Mike feels fortunate that he was able to
keep his restaurants going. He knows several restaurateurs
who did not fare as well. Some have closed permanently,
which adversely impacts the community. But Mike believes
100% of the patrons of all three properties have returned.
He thinks it is important to give back to the community
and is very generous to not-for-profit enterprises. “Amarillo
has been good to me in so many ways. I think it is good
for business to share time and money with different
organizations.” For instance, about two and one-half years
ago, Mike started letting his hair grow so it would be long
enough to donate to Wigs for Kids, in memory of his sister
who passed away from cancer.
Mike is so proud of all of his restaurant managers. “They
are the best ever”, and they care about Mike and the
business. They are family, and they don’t cut corners.
The catfish at Ye Olde Pancake House and Lost Cajun is
hand-breaded. At Hoffbrau, most everything is made from
scratch, and Lost Cajun makes all their own gumbos from
fresh ingredients. Fun fact: Ye Olde Pancake House cracks
1000 eggs a day.

The long-time restaurateur is service-oriented. If a patron
is unhappy with their meal, he wants them to report it. His
managers take good care of their diners, but he encourages
them to call him with both positive and negative remarks.

Mike learned to love life from his parents. “I had a great
childhood because my parents were encouragers and
supported their children throughout their lives.” His
parents are no longer here, but they made their mark in the
world through their children. Mike Fogiel is living proof the
world is getting a good return on their investment by living
life to the fullest.

Amarillo Senior Link 11