Fast Food Exec Turns To Biscuits

The North Carolina-based chain Rise Biscuits Donuts is going bicoastal. For local franchisee Bill Propster, a Newbury Park-based former restaurateur with roots in the Tar Heel State, the question is whether California consumers want biscuits for breakfast. He feels so sure about it that he has signed a contract to open five outlets for the biscuit and donut bakery in the Valley region, beginning next year. “There’s nothing like it out here,” Propster told the Business Journal. “Any place that has good food is going to do well. It’s new to California. There’s no competition.” Rise – only open for breakfast and lunch – will offer three different chicken biscuits plus fried green tomatoes and huevos rancheros. Rotating donut flavors will include Créme Brulee, Maple Bacon and Pineapple Basil. “We’re looking for locations,” Propster said. “Nothing concrete (yet), no signed lease. To me, it’s really important to get the right location.” Propster, who plans to focus his location search in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County, is no stranger to fast food. In the 1980s, he forged a career operating Domino’s. He opened his first pizza outlet in Thousand Oaks, followed by more locations in Granada Hills, Van Nuys, Encino, Tarzana, Reseda, Newbury Park and Westlake Village. However, managing all those parlors burned him out. In 1989, Propster traded pizzas for soccer balls, including a stint as coach at Westlake High School. With a young daughter to raise, Propster decided to return to fast food. He was searching for the right chain when, in late 2016, he revisited his native North Carolina. Instead of going to his favorite breakfast joint, he went to the corner and visited one of the first eight Rise Biscuits Donuts. “People were racing to get in line,” he recalled. His goal in the Valley region is to get the first store open within a year. Each shop will hire about 20 employees, he added. Propster is unfazed by gourmet donut market competition, including Dulce Gourmet Donuts in Canoga Park, Rolling Pin Donuts in Camarillo and DK’s Donuts & Bakery and Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee in Santa Monica. “Gourmet donuts seem to do well,” he said. “Our biscuits are the main thing.” – Michael Aushenker