[Citizens National Bank Helps Happy Daz Restaurants Get a Taste for Success]
When John Heaphy proposed getting into the restaurant business eleven years ago, he knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But having worked for a wholesaler previously, he had a good understanding of not only the food, but the business side of making a restaurant successful. Citizens National Bank took that experience into account when considering his initial loan to purchase Happy Daz restaurant on North St. in Lima, and approved him. Since then, John’s taken that single restaurant and developed it into a well-known franchise in Lima and the surrounding area. Now owning 5 Happy Daz and the renovated Beer Barrel restaurant in Shawnee, John’s more successful than he’d ever imagined and he credits the partnership with Citizens National Bank for making it happen. “Success in the restaurant business is tough,” comments John, “You have to have a good relationship with your bank – a partnership. I give Citizens a realistic projection of what I want to accomplish, and they help me make that vision a reality.”
Dealing with a local bank was important to John and it’s still important to him as he continues to grow. “Since Citizens reviews and approves all their loans locally, I feel as if they take into account my track record and they know me. It’s a vote of confidence for me when financial professionals like the loan committee approve a project that I propose. My relationship with the bank requires two-way communication and the ability to listen to each other. CNB presents new products to me as they become available and several of them have been a real help to my business.” John cites Online for Business as a significant time-saver. “I can review my accounts and move my money between accounts without having to go to the bank.” He recalls one instance where he was in Hawaii on vacation. He was able to look at his business accounts online, noted a problem and resolved it over the telephone within minutes. He’s also looking forward to adding Direct Deposit for his employees, which will cost him less and allow his employees to get paid sooner.
John also appreciates the above and beyond service he feels he receives from the Lima branch of Citizens National Bank. “When I walk into that branch, they know me by name and they know who to direct me to for whatever question I have.” He notes he appreciates dealing with a bank that he feels knows him and his business. “I’m comfortable dealing with people who eat at my restaurants and know me personally. I have great confidence in Citizens National Bank.”
