Entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in Naperville

After classes at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville, Jeff Bergeron would ride the school bus to Ogden Avenue. He wasn't heading home. Instead, the bus would drop Jeff off at his dad's Little Caesars restaurant, where he immediately would go to work, helping out however he could.

This was in the early 1980's when it was all hands on deck as he and his brothers, Him and Greg, helped parents Jim Sr. and Kathy Bergeron run 21 of the pizza restaurant throughout DuPage County. "That seemed completely normal at the time."

Jeff said. "I was probably the only kid in school with a paycheck in my pocket. It wasn't always alot , maybe $12 or $14 a week, but it was just what I needed."

While the Bergerons eventually sold all the Little Caesars, the restaurants helped create one of Naperville's most enduring entrepreneurial families.

The Bergerons continue to make Naperville the center of their enterprises that continue to feature restaurants and now even car washes.

Over the past two decades, they've developed a keen sense for trends, meticulous timing for new ventures and a deep pride in their community.

Jim Sr., Jim Jr. and Jeff Bergeron will discuss those early years and how they led to a new era for them at the Business Expo Monday at the Holiday InnSelect at Naperville and Diehl roads.

"Jim Sr. has a standard that he has set for the boys and that's what they have followed," said Julie Lichter, manager of the Downtown Naperville Alliance.

Those early days were grueling, recalled Jim Sr., especially as a young corporate executive. The north Dakota native already had uprooted his young family seven times in 15 years before he opted to go into business for himself.

In 1980, he and his wife Kathy, bought a house in Kankakee, pooled about $100,000 and opened their first Little Caesars franchise in Bourbonnais. A second soon followed.

"Owning two stores was just not enough to provide a good living, so we decided to expand," Jim Sr. said.

He made a deal with Little Caesars executives: If they avoided starting other stores in DuPage County, he would open up the territory with the chain of pizza restaurants.

By 1981, he had opened the Naperville restaurant. Others followed in Lisle , West Chicago, and Wood Dale.

"We did a lot of scrambling back then, " he said.

"My objective was to build a territory big enough to give us the financial resources to be independent, Jim Sr. said.

Within five years, he had opened 21 Little Caesars. But the grind of owning and managing so many so quickly was grueling. They often worked 70 to 80 hours a week. Jeff ran five of the restaurants while Jim Jr.. ran the others.

"The kids grew up in the business," said Jim Sr. said "We did everything there."

Soon, his profit margin was getting squeezed with increased competition and demands from headquarters.

"The writing was on the wall," Jim Sr. said.

His Little Caesars empire had peaked with 300 employees, including 280 teenagers.

"We helped a lot of kids get their first jobs, " Jim Sr. said.

Since he had reached his goal of financial independence, Jim Sr. decided to retire at age 51 and enjoy his family and community. He bundled the restaurants in groups of four and five and sold them.

He spend the next year "decompressing."

At that time, Jeff and a friend took off for the Southwest and earned a living by washing cars from a homemade mobile wash van. When he returned to Naperviile, he managed a Turtle Wax car wash.

The experience led Jeff to a piece of property on 75th Street.

That's when the prospect of owning another business lured Jim Sr. away from retirement. The father bought the lot and Jeff started his plans.

It took about 11/2 years to build Brighton Car Wash & Detail Center, which opened in 1995.

And like his Little Caesars days, Jim Sr. found that one business just wasn't enough. They opened a second car wash in 1995.

This time, however, the businesses were handed over to Jeff, who developed a double car wash system.

"I certainly didn't have any specific plans in mind about going into business." Jeff said. "But a lot of things come your way and you need to stay open-minded."

His brother, Jim Jr., also worked in various management positions after the Little Caesars were sold. His experience at Bennigan's, TGIFriday's and Dave & Busters provided the transition he needed to expand from fast-food pizza to casual dining.

With that in mind, Jim Sr.'s entrepreneurial spirit soared when a downtown Naperville restaurant property became available. It was perfect for Jimmy.

In 1997, Jim Sr. purchased the Metro Grill and turned it over to Jim Jr., calling it Jimmy's Grill. Business boomed it expanded in 2001.

Nearby, Quigley's Irish Pub hasn't minded the competition. In fact, the relationship has become mutually agreeable, owner Mike Quigley says.

"We really don't see ourselves as competitors because we have different niches, " Quigley said "We've been good for each other. Many times people will come and visit both of our places."

Then finally, life came full circle for Jim Sr.

He bought another pizza place.

This time, he and son Jim eyed Leonardo's Pizza, another downtown Naperville favorite. They bought the restaurant and opened it last December as Brick House Pizzeria.

"We're more careful now to ensure the size and scope of our businesses allow us flexibility to grow and still have some quality of life," Jim Jr. said

"We still plan to take advantage of new ventures without stressing our other businesses," he said. "We'll be ready when the next opportunity arises."
Anne Marie Kukec
Daily Hearld Staff Writer