Episode 4 : Tradition vs Innovation with Great Fountain's Anna Ping

In this episode of the Restaurant Talk by Save Fry Oil podcast, host Susan Tung interviews Anna, the daughter of the owners of Great Fountain, a Hong Kong-style fast food stall in Scarborough. They discuss the journey of the family business, the impact of social media on customer engagement, and the challenges of staffing and cost management in the restaurant industry. Anna shares her personal experiences working alongside her parents, navigating the pandemic, and her aspirations for the future of the business. takeaways Great Fountain serves Hong Kong-style fast food in Scarborough. Anna's parents immigrated to Canada and started the business in 2015. Social media has transformed their customer base and engagement. Anna initially wanted to pursue a design career but chose to join the family business. The restaurant's customer demographic has shifted to a younger audience due to social media. Staffing challenges are prevalent in the restaurant industry, especially for skilled positions. Cost management is crucial for maintaining profitability in a fluctuating economy. Anna aims to open a sit-down restaurant as a thank you to her parents. The importance of balancing customer satisfaction with cost control is emphasized. Anna's journey reflects the challenges and rewards of running a family business. Chapters (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talk Podcast(00:01:15) - Hong Kong chef working at a Canadian fast-food restaurant(00:08:19) - What Was Your Dream Job Before The Lockdowns?(00:12:00) - How to Get Out Of Working With Your Parents(00:16:33) - Chinese Restaurant's Social Media Game(00:22:32) - How Did You Reach 32,000 Followers?(00:24:03) - How Instagram and TikTok Are Changing The Face of Hong Kong(00:26:07) - Who runs a Cantonese restaurant in Macau?(00:27:11) - What are your biggest challenges as an owner?(00:32:52) - What else have you guys been doing to control costs(00:36:13) - Din Tai Hong's Long Term Play(00:39:58) - What's Your Biggest Social Media Moment?(00:42:07) - What If You Had A Lifetime Supply of Oil(00:43:38) - "Does It Work?"(00:47:08) - A Taste of Great Fountain Fast Food