NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM visited with Ian Insalaco for a Question & Answer session to discuss his role as Proprietor of Outback Steakhouse, 194 Stonebrook Place.
Question: First, a little background. Where are you originally from, how long have you lived in Jackson, education, family (married, children), and how long have you been with Outback Steakhouse?
Answer: I was born in Windham, Connecticut. My father’s job relocated us to Jackson when I was 13, and aside from two years in Nashville and two in Jackson, Mississippi, I’ve spent my life in Jackson, Tennessee.
I graduated from JCM in 1997, and took business courses at Jackson State. I am married to Amanda Insalaco, and we just celebrated seven years married on May 26.
No children, yet, as we waited on Amanda to finish her degree in Physical Therapy.
I have been with Outback 20 years – June 20th of this year.
Question: How did you decide the restaurant business was the route you wanted to take in your life?
Answer: Originally I was drawn to music. My father and several close friends were musicians growing up and I gravitated toward that.
Upon realizing that there was a small percentage of success in music, I focused on the job that I was working at the time (Outback) and decided to go into management.
I’ve always enjoyed interacting with different people so it was an easy transition. While working in Jackson, Mississippi, I befriended the owner of our franchise who also introduced me to my wife.
Shortly after, we were given the opportunity to move back “home” to Jackson, Tennessee, and within three months I was given the opportunity to be part owner of the Jackson, Tennessee, location.
Question: When did Outback Steakhouse first open at Stonebrook Place, and when did you become manager?
Answer: Outback Steakhouse in Jackson opened in March of 1994. I started my employment in June of 1999 and became manager in 2007.
Question: Noticeable changes have taken place in the area around Outback Steakhouse. What changes have been positive, and are there any that were not expected?
Answer: The city is GROWING!! It has been great for business to have Thomsen Farms develop and their continued development is something we look forward to.
Question: How does Outback Steakhouse differ from other national chains?
Answer: The biggest difference I feel is our culture. Outback has always had a Proprietor position as opposed to a General Manager.
We (Proprietors) have ownership in the business and our performance dictates our profit both personally and professionally. Outback instills a customer first attitude and my location tries to make it feel like we are local.
I am a local owner, and every member of my team was either born and raised here, or has lived here for many years.
Question: What are a few things about Outback Steakhouse readers might find interesting?
Answer: We donate a large portion of our time and money to local charities.
We look to serve the community in any way possible, whether it be our Law Enforcement or military, school system or one of many non-profit charities in Jackson.
We are looking to the future as Jackson expands. We hope to have our in-house delivery systems running by the fourth quarter of this year along with seven day a week lunch by Q-1 of next year.
(PHOTO: Ian Insalaco)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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