Interview with an owner of Itiwana's sponsoring restaurant - Faddy

Can you tell us something about the history of your company and what inspired you to start it?This is actually the 11th location I’ve worked at, and I’ve been in this line of work for about seven years now. I started out as a kitchen worker—I was chopping vegetables, cleaning, helping out with small things in the back—and slowly worked my way up. Over time, I really fell in love with the atmosphere of the food industry, the energy, the people. Eventually, I found myself wanting to be more involved, to have a say in how things were run, and to create a space that reflected my own values around quality, hospitality, and community. That’s how this place came to be.

What makes your company unique compared to others in the region?Freshness is really at the heart of everything we do. We don’t freeze any of our meat, ever. Our fries? They were still whole potatoes this morning. We slice everything fresh, daily, and even our ice cream is organic. We’ve also made a conscious decision to reduce our plastic usage as much as possible. It’s more work, sure—prepping fresh ingredients every morning takes time and energy—but we believe the quality speaks for itself. Fresh just tastes better, and I think our customers really appreciate that.

Do you have any upcoming special offers, events, or new promotions?Yes! Right now, we have a special bonus for members of Itiwana, which has been really fun to see in action. We’ve also partnered with another student association and have some discount codes floating around on TikTok. We’re always looking for ways to engage with our customers in fun and creative ways.

How did the collaboration with our association come about, and what appealed to you about it?It actually started through Dori—your current chair—who used to work here. We kept in touch, and she reached out to talk about the possibility of a collaboration. I also spoke with Juli about it, and from there it just kind of grew naturally. Because it began from a personal connection, it felt genuine from the start, and we were excited to work with you all.

What benefits do you see in working with student organizations like ours?Students have so much on their plates—studying, projects, maybe a side job—and sometimes you just need a place that feels welcoming and affordable. That’s why I love the idea of giving students a special bonus or deal. It’s not just about discounts—it’s about creating accessibility. We want to be a spot where students feel comfortable coming in, whether it's for a quick bite, a hangout, or just a break from their day.

How do you hope your business contributes to the local community and student life?Our doors are open to everyone. We really mean that. Your background doesn’t matter here—we want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable. That’s a big part of our mission. We’re also very mindful about creating a safe and inclusive space. We do what we call “Zaal Dienst,” which means someone from our team walks through the space to make sure everything is going smoothly and everyone is having a good experience. We also make sure we’re inclusive with our menu—our food is halal, and we try to cater to various dietary needs. It’s about creating a positive atmosphere where everyone feels like they belong.