A Local Story
Phil Faul and Pat Bordes, from Rayne Louisiana, had been knowing each other as long as they can remember as their parents were friends and would often spend time together. After high school, each of them went their own ways pursuing life never expecting to meet up as business partners. That was until around ten years later when their unlikely paths met and Pat joined Phil in 1996 working for a specialty meat wholesaler and restaurant in Franklin and New Iberia, Louisiana. They then decided to go out on their own and open a restaurant together. They founded a restaurant in Crowley, Louisiana for lease and after crafty negotiation and with minimal resources opened their first restaurant location in July of 1999.
Oyster Bar
The Name
When Phil’s dad, Mr. Fezzo, was a kid in Church Point Louisiana his favorite toys were made with his mother’s empty wooden spools of thread.
In Cajun French the word for a wooden spool is “Fezzo.” Everywhere he went he had his spool toys with him and the local postmaster began calling him “Fezzo,” a nickname he carried the rest of his life.
In July 1979, Phil’s family opened a grocery store in Rayne, Louisiana and called it Fezzo’s Supermarket. Phil and Pat worked there together. Twenty years later to the month when it was time to name for their restaurant it was easy, in honor of Phil’s dad, began Fezzo’s Seafood, Steakhouse and Oyster Bar.
The Rest of the Story
In 2000 Phil and Pat decided to take over a restaurant for lease in Scott Louisiana and establish their second location. With hard work, dedication, and incredible people the two locations prospered and in 2007 they built a new building in Scott where they are still operating today.
In 2009 Phil and Pat, with the help of partner Brady Benton, opened Rochetto’s-(Italian for wooden spool)- Pizzeria in Scott and is still thriving today promoting how Cajun does Italian.
In November of 2016, a new journey began in Broussard, Louisiana. The third location of Fezzo’s Seafood Steakhouse and Oyster Bar built from the ground up with vision from Phil and Pat and inspiration from long-time employees and friends. This was a Fezzo’s family project and all involved are proud of the 400-seat capacity building.
They started out in 1999 with about a 20 person staff and have grown to currently employing approximately 300 people. They donate to and promote local schools, organizations, churches, and help with fundraisers for the sick, elderly, and our veterans.
Phil and Pat are proud to be a part of these communities and operating locally owned businesses. They are thankful for the many awards and accomplishments they have achieved along the way and attribute their success to God, old fashioned hard work, and their dedicated employees. They also acknowledge and sincerely appreciate their valued customers who patronize their businesses throughout the year.
The Future
Spending quality time with their families and managing and maintaining the success of their current operations are their short-term priority and goals. As self-acclaimed young entrepreneurs, they say the story is- to be continued……
Join us on Tuesday, July 23rd at Fezzo’s Seafood, Steakhouse & Oyster Bar for an afternoon of networking and fun for our quarterly Business After Hours! In addition, Fezzo’s will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with complimentary hors-d’oeuvres and live music from Colby Latiolais and AMBUSH!
Click here to register.
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