An Intrepid and Two Ice Chests - Episode 119 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Ben Arnold

Posted by: Scott Elpers on Wednesday, April 19, 2023

In his 49-year career, Ben Arnold has worked at every position in a restaurant. He moved to Wichita in 1995 to work for Amarillo Grill. After a three-year stint, he opened Black Canyon Grill with two brothers who also worked at Amarillo Grill. On July 4th, 1999, he declared his own independence and began laying out a business plan to start his own company, Corporate Caterers of Wichita. He opened AVI in downtown Wichita in 2011. They also operate the INTRUST Bank Executive Dining Room and Employee Cafe.

Corporate Caterers | AVI
Corporate Caterers Facebook | AVI Facebook

On this episode we discuss:
● Starting as a dishwasher (at 11 years old)
● When he decided to start moving and start his own business
● What’s in a business name
● Being creative with getting access to a kitchen
● Being responsive early as a new business owner
● The sandbox of college
● Getting creative during COVID
● The AVI name
● What retirement will look like for Ben

Listen on popular podcast directories and aggregators, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, and ICT Podcast Network or using the player above. Send feedback on this show and/or suggestions for future guests or topics by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or emailing communications@wichitachamber.org.

Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator is a weekly podcast devoted to supporting and learning from area business owners. Released every Wednesday, it's produced by Forge Podcast Co, managed by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Evergy.

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