Innovation

HEALTHe Cafe was opened by John and Claire Kopfler. The innovation first emerged when Claire's parents suggested the idea that Thibodaux did not have a local source for healthy food options. When they initially opened HEALTHe Cafe, it was only for people who attended Claire's parents' other business, eLearning. However, other customers continued to try and eat at HEALTHe Cafe which led them to open their doors to the public. One employee stated, "I love the fact that we are the first to serve the community all healthy foods with accurate portions."

Both John and Claire are very involved with the day-to-day operations of the business. HEALTHe Cafe's innovation of providing healthy meals takes traditional recipes and modifies them to a healthier version. The owners of HEALTHe Cafe’s vision or purpose is to provide an option for a healthier lifestyle to their customers while maintaining a family style environment. The friendly and family-like atmosphere of the business is very important to how they like to display their customer service. The previously mentioned employee also stated, "We like for the customers to feel at home." The innovation of the food ties in with their overall mission because they enjoy knowing that their customers love the taste and are extremely satisfied with the nutritional benefits.

Inspiration

HEALTHe Cafe was opened in January of 2017. HEALTHe Cafe came to be by the reflection of their own lifestyle. Before opening HEALTHe Cafe, John had previously worked in the restaurant industry for around ten to twelve years. Also, Claire is a registered dietician who grew up in a health-conscious family. Opening a Cafe in Thibodaux made sense to transfer the lifestyle she always had to other people.

However, the initial idea of opening HEALTHe Cafe actually came from Claire's parents. Claire's parents own another business called eLearning. When another space next to their own building became available, they suggested the idea to Claire and John about opening a healthy restaurant so people have an alternative to fast food restaurants.

Overall impact

HEALTHe Cafe's innovation has had a significant impact on their customers. HEALTHe Cafe has a lot of regular customers and also new customers. For short-term effects, customers have told employees that they feel better after eating the food. In addition, regular customers experience more long-term effects. Indeed, one customer has told John that because of frequently eating at HEALTHe Cafe, their A1C and cholesterol levels are going down.

Business benefit

HEALTHe Cafe was the first of its kind in Thibodaux, which gives them a first-mover advantage over other competitors. Then, the high-quality, good-tasting food creates potential repeat customers by word of mouth.

The innovation also has benefits to the employees. Employees see firsthand the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle and how to prepare healthy foods. HEALTHe Cafe employees are also granted a meal during each shift.

Social and environmental benefit

HEALTHe Cafe’s innovation has many benefits to society. Because HEALTHe Cafe has a connection to eLearning, one benefit that it provides is within eLearning’s summer camp. During the camp, HEALTHe Cafe does the cooking for the students. They also teach the kids how to make healthy food choices and the basics of how to properly carry out food preparation.

Another benefit that HEALTHe Cafe provides to society is by contributing to local farmers. Because they value having fresh ingredients, John and Claire go shopping for produce daily. In doing this they make an effort to get most of their produce from local areas or at least from Louisiana.

The largest benefit that HEALThe Cafe has to society is that its operations directly promote healthier lifestyles. By providing a restaurant that is easily accessed, and is efficient when preparing and cooking meals, it gives people a quality alternative to fast food. Having a place to get a good-tasting, proportioned, healthy lunch, makes the path to a healthier lifestyle more enjoyable. When asked about the feeling John gets from providing guests with a healthy meal, he stated, "They love it and it's why we do it."

Interviews

John Kopfler, Co-Owner

Brandi Adams, Shift Leader

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