Thai House Express 2099 S. Atantic Blvd., #F Monterey Park, CA 91754
Supranee Chanpradup, a Thai immigrant, initially came to TCDC to attend the multi-week Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) in 2004. Supranee had a dream of opening a restaurant but had no idea on how to start a business in the United States. The ETP provided her with the basics of business planning including operations, finance and marketing. After the ETP, she began searching for a location with her partners.
Supranee eventually found an existing restaurant in a small plaza in Monterey Park and attempted to open her business. After running into problems with obtaining a business license, Supranee returned to TCDC for business counseling assistance. TCDC’s Business Counselor worked with her to obtain the proper business license and permits. Thai House Express officially opened its doors for business in May 2005. Since then, the restaurant has flourished. Supranee has grown Thai House Express into a successful Thai restaurant and increased the workforce from 2 to 6 employees. It is so popular that her daily lunch crowd starts coming in before 11 a.m. and stays into the afternoon.
In 2007, Supranee and her partners decided to expand the business by adding a second location. Again, she turned to TCDC for business counseling. On this occasion she needed assistance with a lease agreement. TCDC’s Business Counselor worked with her by reviewing the lease agreement and negotiating with the landlord. Finally, she settled on an agreeable lease and began construction of the new restaurant. The second restaurant opened in 2008.
Thai Community Development Center (TCDC) is an Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program partner targeting the vibrant Thai business community in East Hollywood and throughout the L.A. area.
