Episode 17: Frank Fat's, a Sacramento Institution Artwork

A Seat at the Table

Welcome to A Seat at the Table, Trials and Triumphs of Family Business, hosted by Natalie Mariani Kling, a 4th generation family business owner. This program is a creation of The Capital Region Family Business Center, a non-profit agency whose purpose is to help family businesses grow and prosper.One thing about being a part of a family business, is that it’s unique. Family businesses often began very simply, with a person who had an idea. Rarely were these people educated in business or finance, they usually didn’t have big investors, sometimes, they didn’t even speak English. But they saw an opportunity that could support their family, and so they started.Once these family businesses grow and are handed to 2nd, 3rd, 4th generations, there are not only the complexities of any growing business, but also the dynamics of family and relationships and navigating things like, which family member will be CEO, should this year's profits be reinvested or distributed? Differences in opinions can complicate Sunday night dinners, estate planning, who wants to keep running this business, preserving a legacy, entitlement, privilege, imposter syndrome…but there can also be magic.In a time where we want to KNOW the people behind a brand, and where authenticity and trust play a big part in our purchases as consumers, having a family that runs and operates a business over generations can create a very special culture where its success is built on relationships from vendors to employees to customers.On this podcast, expect real conversations with real family business members about what it’s like to be in a family business, run a family business, and the trials and triumphs of taking it into the next generation.

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A Seat at the Table

Episode 17: Frank Fat's, a Sacramento Institution

October 05, 2023 • Capital Region Family Business Center • Episode 17

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Join the conversation as your host, Natalie Mariani-Kling delves into Sacramento history by talking with Kevin Fat, a 3rd generation member of the Frank Fat’s Restaurant Group family. Frank Fat’s in downtown Sacramento stands as the oldest family owned restaurant in the city, having opened in 1939 and still being owned and run by members of the Fat family.

Kevin talks about the history of Fat’s, how his grandfather first came to America from China at age 16 and even with a language barrier, his personality, integrity and love of people helped him forge relationships that would help him open his namesake restaurant. Little did he know his restaurant, which opened in a neighborhood akin to skid row, would become populated by all the politicians and movers and shakers in Sacramento decade after decade.

Kevin also shares the role his mother, Lina, had in growing the family business into multiple restaurants and becoming the Executive Chef of Fat City Bar and Cafe and China Camp. The latter helping to revitalize Old Sacramento. Her self-taught culinary skills left an indelible mark on the menus.

Today Kevin oversees Fat’s three current restaurants, Frank Fat’s and two locations of Fat’s Asian Bistro and Dim Sum Bar in Folsom and Roseville.

Visit Frank Fat’s website

Visit Fat’s Asian Bistro website

Visit the Capital Region Family Business Center website

Sponsor:

River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE