From the time Mule Kick opened in Magnolia in 2018, the restaurant has built a loyal local customer base and become a popular spot in the college town for pizza, craft beer, and live music.
Christy Ouei calls herself chief cheerleader at Mule Kick. When she came to the Southern Arkansas University ASBTDC to build the concept of Mule Kick, developing and executing a unique customer experience at the restaurant was at the top of her list.
As Ouei built her management and employee teams, customer experience was woven into every discussion, planning meeting, and strategy session.
Over the years, the SAU ASBTDC has supported Mule Kick with startup and marketing assistance, business planning, financial forecasts, and market research. Janell Reeves, director of the center, recently touched base with Ouei to reminisce and take a peek into the future of Mule Kick.
Q&A with Christy Ouei
Q: What inspired the customer experience at Mule Kick?
A: “Burt (Adams, Ouei’s fiancé and business partner) and I were tired of getting less than we expected, or at best, the experience we expected when dining out.
We strive to give our customers more than they expect.”
Q: What can customers expect to experience when they come to dine at Mule Kick?
A: “Expect servers that smile as you enter because they are both happy to be here and happy that you are here. Expect music that makes you want to stay and new décor you didn’t see last time – or crazy ice cream like Flaming Cheetos.
Expect 30 taps of beer but not one of them is mass produced. Expect to have dinner prepared by college students who are preparing for work-life after college by working for a restaurant that makes tomorrow’s leaders our number-one product.”
Q: How has the Mule Kick experience evolved over the past three years (since COVID) and what can we expect next?
A: “Since opening, Mule Kick has offered various events and entertainment that have been ever changing. However, we hope that the attention to detail in how we treat our employees and how they treat our guests remain constant. Expect more of the same!
We have about 20 new business ideas a year. We flesh out about two of them, and if we decide they are viable options, Burt and I have long depended on the local office of the ASBTDC to help us make informed decisions as to whether or not we want to pursue the opportunity.
I would say that due to our relationship with them, we have managed to avoid chasing after shiny things and generally staying in our lane. That alone has increased our success.”
See what the Mule Kick experience is all about by visiting the restaurant’s website and social media pages:
And coming soon, Lefty’s with an experience all its own: facebook.com/leftysonthesquare and instagram.com/leftysonthesquare
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