The Beignet Stand has become a San Antonio favorite, known for its delectable New Orleans-inspired treats. From classic powdered sugar beignets to innovative creations like their beignet fried chicken sandwich, The Beignet Stand offers a range of flavors to satisfy every palate. The business, which operates under the umbrella of Southern Grit Flavor, was started by Elisa Trevino and Michael Grimes, a passionate and talented couple who combined their skills to create a unique culinary experience for their clientele.
Michael is a classically trained chef and Elisa is a business professional with experience in sales, technology, and business analytics. Determined to draw on their talents to build something meaningful for their family’s future, they decided to pursue their shared passion for food. The owners were inspired to start their entrepreneurial journey after attending LaunchSA’s culinary business accelerator, Break Fast and Launch, which introduced them to small business resources and provided valuable connections and support. Recognizing the potential of their combined culinary and business skills, Elisa and Michael started their own culinary operations in 2016.
Elisa and Michael originally focused on producing a variety of barbecue sauces under the business name Souther Grit Flavor. Despite the highly competitive Texas BBQ market, they managed to gain a following with clients who favored their products and the food that they cooked to showcase the sauces. Inspired by the support from their first venture, and determined to continue within the culinary realm, the couple pivoted their business to The Beignet Stand in 2017.
The decision to shift their focus paid off, as they quickly gained popularity through pop-up events and collaborations with local coffee shops. They expanded to farmers markets and eventually joined the popular Pearl Farmers Market, where they solidified their success and attracted a growing customer base.
By 2022, the couple was ready to enhance their brick-and-mortar space with renovations and expansions. Elisa and Michael turned to LiftFund for support, a resource they learned about through LaunchSA. Through a partnership with the City of San Antonio and LiftFund, the couple received a zero-percent interest loan to build a new commercial kitchen and enhance their restaurant’s offerings.
“The funding that we received, which was an incredible 0% interest loan, allowed us to move forward with our vision. [The loan] has been such a godsend. We’ve been able to realize our goals without having to put additional financial stress on our family or on our business. And we get to reap the rewards and the benefit of that every day.”
Looking ahead, the owners envision a bright future for The Beignet Stand. They hope to grow their business into a franchise that other entrepreneurs and culinary professionals can independently invest in.
