Boloco is 25... wait for it... years... ugh... old!

Yesterday (Feb 24, 2022) Boloco turned 25 years old. Yes, exactly 25 years ago on February 24, 1997, we opened our first restaurant on Mass Ave in Boston across from the Berklee College of Music. It’s impossible to share anything here that remotely captures how this milestone feels as one of the company’s founders and its chief evangelist for most of that time. But if I was forced to condense my sentiments into two words, not surprisingly they would be gratitude and humility. What does a founder do on a 25th anniversary? There's no formula, that's for sure. I am told not that many founders get to 25 years (and I can share about 50 reasons why that's not necessarily a bad thing!) Nonetheless, early yesterday morning - in a fit of inspiration, or perhaps desperation - I drove over to the Tuck School at Dartmouth where I was still a second-year MBA student 25 years ago to share some spontaneous thoughts (don’t worry, I live only a few blocks away in Hanover - this was not a monumental effort, other than the fact that it was 12˚F outside).  The short video you can see here is the result of that effort. I also retrieved some ancient video footage capturing actual Day 0 and Day 1 from 25 years ago and stuck those in the attached video too – yes, it was an old Sony camcorder so the quality is not super awesome. I made a video in front of the spot where it all started for me (not my co-founders who were in Boston full-time getting things going!) - feel free to take a watch or read on if you prefer. TWO (2) BIG ASKS ON OUR BIRTHDAY Even though birthdays are fun, they can also coincide with serious needs. That said, most birthdays include presents, so let's position what follows in that context. Our present to you?  You already know this... 1997 pricing has returned on our burritos until the end of February. Less than 5 bucks. It’s a deal and it will take you back, as will the 90’s music playing in all of our restaurants this week. Your present to us? (yes even businesses like to receive presents!): This year, we are asking each of you to do something for us. And when I say “us”, I don’t mean just Boloco. I mean for all of the independent restaurants struggling for survival in the US today as well as the many millions of people employed in hospitality. ASK #1: Was to sign a letter to the Biden Administration urging the White House to make restaurant relief a top priority - expired in early March 2022 - thank you to the many who did it! ASK #2: Time Required: 90 seconds Donate $25 (or whatever you can!) to JVS BOSTON JVS Boston has been a wonderful partner to Boloco for over a decade. JVS Boston is also one of the largest workforce development organizations in New England. JVS has helped hundreds of Boloco team members (and tens of thousands of Bostonians) gain skills, education, and find better jobs both via promotion-from within or by moving into other industries. FUN FACT: This year JVS is honoring Boloco for our long-time mission to positively impact the lives and futures of our people through bold and inspired food and practices. Whatever you can do to support JVS, now is a great time to do it. Save the Date below if this is your kind of thing. FACT: The New England workforce is stronger than ever because of the efforts of JVS – but there’s so much more to do, always. With gratitude John Pepper Co-Founder & Chief Worker Advocate Boloco www.johnpepper.com