At a young age, Francisco came to the U.S. and began working in a Japanese restaurant as a dishwasher and food preparer. Even then, he had a clear vision of his future and used to say, “One day, I’ll own my own Japanese restaurant.” Through that early experience, he gained insight into the complexities of operating a restaurant and developed the drive to turn his dream into reality. 

Today, Francisco and his wife, Yolanda, own Hanabi Japanese Restaurant in Castroville, CA, a highly regarded Japanese restaurant ranked among the top three in Monterey County on both Google and Yelp. Francisco takes great pride in offering a wide variety of fresh, expertly crafted sushi, ensuring there is something for every palate. Their success is built on a foundation of loyalty; much of their staff has been with them for years, including one dedicated team member who has been by their side for over 25 years. 

With the knowledge and tools gained from our Empresario course, Yolanda manages the business with increased confidence, while Francisco focuses on perfecting each dish. He emphasizes, “Every plate has to be perfect!” As a restaurant owner, he takes great pride in providing excellent customer service and using fresh ingredients to ensure consistent quality. Together, they aim to remain at the top of their industry and continue to expand. Francisco’s advice to future entrepreneurs is simple: “Do not be afraid of launching your own business.”