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SALT LAKE CITY -- The cheers are part of doing business.
"Free meal!"
Spend any amount of time at a Cafe Rio restaurant, and you're sure to hear one of the famous staff cheers.
"Extra meat!"
Now, employees might have to come up with a new cheer for being one of the best restaurants in the country.
"This is a huge thing for us," said Ben Craner, the chief marketing officer for Cafe Rio. "It's kind of like the People's Choice award from the restaurant's perspective."
Cafe Rio, which started in Utah, was recently honored with the Sandelman Award of Excellence. Basically, it's the restaurant industry's version of an Oscar.
Last year, Cafe Rio won the award for Best Mexican Quick Service Restaurant.
Now, they won Best Overall Quick Service Restaurant, beating several national chains for the honor.
"We're kind of the little guy on the national front," said Craner, "and for something like this, we're honored and humbled."
Utah has a rich history of local restaurants doing well outside Utah. The first KFC was here. Newer start-ups include Rumbi Grill and Zupas Cafe, as well as Cafe Rio.
Utah's economic development director says it's no coincidence a lot of restaurants founded here in Utah do well outside the state.
"There is a reason why we're so successful in Utah," said Spencer Eccles, the executive director for the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development. "It has to do with the way we work together. I call it our secret sauce.'"
That "secret sauce" includes low tax rates, a triple-A bond rating and universities offering entrepreneur classes. Eccles says it creates a healthy environment for Utah businesses.
"Utah has that pioneering spirit," said Eccles, "so the entrepreneurs flourish here, and we've created that environment where companies can really do well."
Of course, in the restaurant business, it all has to come down to good food.
"It doesn't matter what time you come in here," said Branden Hart, a customer at the 400 South Cafe Rio in downtown Salt Lake City. "It's always busy. The food is consistent and the quality is consistent."
It seems the same can be said for many Utah start-ups as well.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
