CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Ryan Smolkin, founder and CEO of Smoke’s Poutinerie, has the qualities in an entrepreneur that you can’t teach – drive, ambition and passion for the brand.
And anyone who saw Smolkin speak at Friday’s P.E.I. Potato Board annual general meeting wearing a fur hat, sunglasses and a plaid shirt, wouldn’t doubt his passion for the brand he created eight years ago in Toronto.
“It ain’t about the money. I went in eyes wide open. That’s my specialty, building businesses,” he said. “And, with that, you’ve got to know how much you can lose and how much you can spend. Right? Your limits. So, it’s controlled chaos.”
Smolkin, 44, opened the first poutine outlet in downtown Toronto on Nov. 20, 2008. Since then, he has sold 150 franchises across North America, including two in Halifax and one in Fredericton.
“It was just getting the momentum, getting on that rock ’n’ roll gravy train. But, it started with the four walls.”
The franchises include locations on 55 university campuses in Canada, arenas and mobile trucks, as well as 50 franchises sold in the U.S. A poutinerie has also opened at Pearson International Airport.
“Insanity, dude,” he explained. “Now, global domination.”
About 70 per cent of the four to five million pounds of potatoes the company uses are from East Point, P.E.I.
“But, we have no poutinerie here. Can you believe that? It better be coming soon,” he said.
Also, the company uses yellow flesh potatoes for its poutines.
“A little bit premium, and because most people use the white russets. And, I always say I want to be different. I’m not going to do what everybody else is doing.”
“People don’t see the beginnings. They just see the global operations now. They don’t see the first four or five years. You’re solo. You’re doing it all. Every penny is reinvested back in the business. It’s tough, but you control it. That’s the nice thing.”
-Ryan Smolkin
Smolkin remembers how people were lined up out the door the first day the restaurant opened in 2008.
But Smolkin had to shut down at 2 p.m., temporarily, because there weren’t enough prepared blanched fries to keep up with demand. The business reopened at 5 p.m., but while shut down, Smolkin also had to make a trip to a grocery store to buy more bacon.
“I cleared out the entire aisle of bacon – $450 of bacon in my cart,” he said laughing.
Born in Smith Falls, Ont., Smolkin graduated from Wilfred Laurier University. Prior to starting Smoke’s Poutinerie, Smolkin ran AmoebaCorp., a branding and design company, and was involved in property development.
And who is Smoke? He’s the company’s mascot (of sorts) and the design on the front of Smolkin’s shirt he wore Friday. People tell Smolkin that Smoke looks like Bill Gates, David Letterman or Phil Donahue.
“He’s shy. He hates the camera. He hates the limelight. I’m his voice,” said Smolkin.
These days, Smolkin is having fun as the face of the franchise.
“Oh dude. Tons of fun. If you don’t have fun and a good time, then it’s time to get out,” he said.
“People don’t see the beginnings. They just see the global operations now. They don’t see the first four or five years. You’re solo. You’re doing it all. Every penny is reinvested back in the business. It’s tough, but you control it. That’s the nice thing.”
The P.E.I. Potato Board annual general meeting was held at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino.
