MADISON – Most people have moved to Madison to accept a new job. Jeromy and Rosemary Gwin targeted Madison to create jobs.
The Gwins moved to Madison in December 2015 with plans to open Uncle Maddio’s. “What we knew about Madison was that it was growing, the schools were some of the best in the state and the business environment was very enticing,” Jeromy said.
Previously, he had worked as an owner/operator of a Chick-fil-A in Montgomery for more than ten years. “The decision to leave a wonderful company like Chick-fil-A was difficult, but we were ready for a new adventure,” Jeromy said. “One of my partners and I had been introduced to Uncle Maddio’s through a mutual friend and franchisee.”
After the Gwins made their decision to join the franchise, they immediately identified Madison as their first choice of location.
The franchisee families for Uncle Maddio’s are the Gwins, John and Joy Howard and Brian and Denise Brandt. All the families are actively involved with the business. “We’re all local and love to spend time in the restaurant visiting with guests and assisting the team,” said Jeromy, who is operating partner. “We’ve been open six months with Uncle Maddio’s, and the reception has been wonderful. We’ve focused really hard on our community involvement, and that’s been a huge help in introducing our brand to Madison.”
For example, Uncle Maddio’s staff has hosted Spirit Night fundraisers for most area schools and has been involved with Madison Hospital, Hogan Family YMCA and American Cancer Society. The staff even participated in the Madison Christmas Parade.
“The biggest challenge for us thus far has been patience in building a brand,” Jeromy said. “We’re still somewhat of an unknown, and we’ve had to learn patience as the community learns who we are and what we offer.”
Uncle Maddio’s Pizza has brought the create-your-own pizza concept out of Atlanta to Madison.
“We feature made-from-scratch dough and completely fresh ingredients,” Jeromy said. “Our produce is sourced locally, and we don’t have a freezer in the unit, so no frozen/precooked products.”
Guests can choose among traditional, whole wheat or gluten-free dough, six sauces including herb pesto, seven cheeses, 13 meat choices and 22 vegetables.
One of Uncle Maddio’s choices is the Steak and Blue Pizza, which combines grilled Angus steak with blue cheese crumbles and mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, garlic, spinach, fresh basil, balsamic glaze and olive oil.
Having local ownership here in Madison has been a huge benefit to the business partners for Uncle Maddio’s and for the Gwins as a family. “We’re all committed to the community and tied in with multiple organizations,” Jeromy said. “Our children all attend Madison City Schools, and we live our lives in Madison.”
The Gwins have been married for 16 fantastic years, Jeromy said. “We have three girls: Catherine, 12, who attends Liberty Middle School; Maggie, 10, Mill Creek Elementary School; and Ellis, 5, Mill Creek.”
Rosemary is originally from Chattanooga, Tenn., while Jeromy grew up in Rome, Ga. They met at and both graduated from the University of Tennessee. “Rosemary holds a master’s degree in counseling, and my degree is in economics,” Jeromy said.
The Gwins attend Asbury United Methodist Church. Rosemary has joined Matt Curtis Real Estate as a Realtor.
“When we’re not running a restaurant or trying to sell a house, we enjoy spending time as a family in our wonderful neighborhood, Walden,” he said.
Uncle Maddio’s address is 8048 U.S. 72 W. at the intersection with Wall Triana. In early spring, the second location of Uncle Maddio’s will open in Huntsville at the Valley Bend Shopping Center in Jones Valley.
For information, call 256-430-2388, email madison@unclemaddios.com or visit unclemaddios.com, Facebook/Uncle Maddio’s or Instagram: Uncle Maddio’s of Madison.
