Local Arby's franchisee operators retire

HURON — They've made thousands of roast beef sandwiches and millions of memories. After 31 years as the area's predominant Arby's franchisees, spouses Mark and Karen Giaco along with Dave and Connie recently called it a career. Mark recently made a social media post to summarize his family's unwavering dedication in the restaurant business: I began working at Arby's in Cleveland as a 17-year-old high school kid. Thirteen years later, Karen and I packed up our 1- and 2-year-old daughters in our one minivan to move to Port Clinton to open up our first restaurant as Arby's franchisees. To say we were scared to death would be an understatement. Baby brother Dave moved in with us, and, one year later, he met Connie when I hired her before the 1991 summer season began. We put up five more restaurants in Fremont, North Ridgeville, Sheffield Village, Huron and Clyde within the next 10 years. Our last day of operating those restaurants was on Dec. 8, 2021. We sold to Sun Holdings/Turbo Restaurants who are the third largest restaurant company in the country with over 1,000 stores and different brands. They are also the second-largest Arby's franchisee in the system with over 150 stores and growing. It's been a great run and too many memories to count for me personally in those 45 years. Friendships, marriages, babies, grandbabies, good times, hard times, promotions and the list goes on. Always love though for our Arby's family and always grateful to our loyal customers. We weren't perfect, but we always strived to be the best. Much love and peace to you all. Stay safe always. I'll be periodically posting pictures and stories going back to 1977 along with those people who were and still are part of our history. Thank you. Many people thanked the Giaco family for their contributions. "They are much more than business owners in Huron: They have always been huge community partners and support schools, the chamber and many, many organizations. Them, as owners, are a great loss for our community," said Amy Roldan, the Huron Chamber of Commerce's executive director.