How did Himanshu Gandhi switch from engineering studies to running his own Town & Country Pizza & Pasta business? It took courage, he admits, but he had support from his wife and from Town & Country’s CEO Joe Rossi.

And this year he’s had external recognition of his achievements.

He was named a finalist in the national Franchise Industry Awards, which recognises top performance across the country.

“I feel I am putting all my hard work into this business and I got to the finals. It’s a very big thing, a very proud moment for me and my family, and Joe,” Himanshu says.

The journey to being his own boss started 10 years ago when Himanshu was recently arrived from India. He took on a delivery driver role at Town & Country while studying for his masters in engineering management.

Within two years he had progressed to the kitchen, learning about pizza making. From there it was a swift rise to kitchen supervisor, then restaurant manager.

“Joe gave me the opportunity to run the restaurant myself and I became more confident,” Himanshu says.

First step towards business ownership

Looking back, he admits he didn’t really want to do engineering, feeling more at home in a small business.

“Back in India all my family run their own businesses. In Australia I knew no-one and I wasn’t sure if I could get into business,” he says.

So it was an exciting step when in 2023 he had the opportunity to buy the Lara store.

“I felt it is me. I know how to run a business, so I took the risk. It was well worthy,” he says.

Lara was an existing store that had been operating for 13 years. 

“I had to make it as if the customers don’t feel there’s a change. It was already profitable, so I had to make it better,” Himanshu says.

And he’s done that. Revenue has risen, labour costs are down, cost of goods are down, profits are up. 

“In this store, labour was the challenge. It was very labour intensive – 28 per cent of the costs were labour. By putting the right person in the right job I have reduced that to 20 per cent,” he says.

Himanshu drew on his experience as restaurant manager where his KPI was to stay within financial boundaries, and he put pressure on himself to succeed.

“As a restaurant manager running costs, labour, and cost of goods, that was a trial for me. I made the mistakes there,” he says.

Himanshu took on and has retained the staff that had worked with the previous franchisee, including the experienced store manager.

The restaurant is takeaway only, open from 4pm to 9pm, except Thursday, Friday and Saturday when it opens at noon.

“We have a few customers at lunchtime, and I have staff prepping, so it’s easy to just make a pizza. We do occasionally get big lunchtime orders for offices, and that’s a cherry on the cake,” he says.

Town & Country Pizza & Pasta is all about community

The biggest hurdle for him as the business owner is being the public face.

“The pressure on me is that I come from a different culture; I was not sure if people would accept me,” he says. 

Himanshu spent time getting to know the regular customers, and the restaurant is a keen supporter of local clubs –  cricket, soccer, RSL – and participates in community and school raffles.

“I was introverted, but getting into business I had to open up. Being the owner I have to be in front but I still prefer being in the background.”

He has found a way to engage with community and keep out of the spotlight.

“I can’t run without my team, they are so important, so I always get them in a photo for a community event,” he says.

Taking care of people is the mantra at Town & Country – whether that is employees or community.

“They don’t just worry about profit, it’s about community. That’s what I love,” Himanshu says.

“I love the brand, I love the people, Joe and his father Frank, who founded the business. That’s what I want from my staff – to see me as family,” Himanshu says.

“Joe is my mentor from the beginning, he trusted me. When I started talked about my family in India, and my dad in hospitality,  and that starting a business here is a challenge, he supported me. He took the risk on his own business and that helped me in mine.”

Himansu has also had the backing of his wife in his business adventure.

“She was very supportive of the decision, even though we were looking for a house at the time,” he reveals. “My wife was eight months pregnant and we wanted to buy a house but we took the risk and bought the restaurant instead. It was a good decision,” he says.

“I put all my savings into the business and that pushes me to do better.”

Now the couple is talking about a second store – this time a sit-down restaurant.

There’s just one hitch. “We are looking for a house again,” Himanshu reveals.

“If we find a Town & Country restaurant though, I would not have a second thought about buying it. If not, it’s the house.”