According to recent reporting in The Business Journal, a classic deli will be operating under new ownership.
Rick Bouffard has acquired Pickles Authentic New York Delicatessen at 1891 W. State Road 434 in Longwood after years of being a loyal client.
Local readers may recall Bouffard previously held a multi-unit leadership position with a Tijuana Flats franchisee; he will now be bringing his experience to one of his favorite local establishments.
“It’s a place I’ve been going to for years — with my kids, my family,” Bouffard told OBJ. “My business partner and I — Rick Brown — who’s also part of the acquisition, went all the time. We actually developed a concept inspired by what Pickles represents because you just don’t find sandwiches like that anymore. We even built out a whole plan: website, menu, domain, logo — all of it. Then a mutual friend told us Pickles was coming on the market. We made the connection and struck a deal.”
“I started at Barnie’s coffee shop when I was 16 and was promoted to general manager at 17 — which, looking back, was a terrible idea,” he says, articulating his restaurant experience.
“But I stayed in the industry and eventually moved into multi-unit management at Tijuana Flats. I was vice president of operations for a very successful franchise group. I had the lowest turnover and food cost, and I served on advisory councils that made companywide decisions. I’ve learned that I perform best when I have control. So owning something where I can hear directly from guests and staff, make adjustments and shape the concept — that just feels like the natural next step. “
In the interview, he adds that the priority is to enhance and not overhaul.
“When people ask what we’re changing, I tell them: nothing. You’ll still get the same Reuben, the same corned beef,” he said.
“We’re just making small optimizations — getting the food out more efficiently, more consistently. That’s it. “
However, the cocktail menu will be expanding.
“We’re offering guest and employee favorite cocktails. We partnered with Red Bull on a skinny watermelon margarita. We make our own gin-infused pickle juice for a gin and juice special. Of course we’ve got picklebacks. And our Bloody Mary comes with a slice of our house-sliced roast beef.”
