Chez Francois Poutinerie

07/18/2024

🎉 Calling all Friends of Francois! 🎉

It's been way too long since we've had a blast together! Let's mark our calendars for the upcoming Labor Parade on September 2nd and come out to show our support for our dear friend Dereck. I miss seeing all your beautiful smiles and having the best parade team ever! Stay tuned as I'll be sharing all the details closer to the date. Can't wait to reunite and create more unforgettable memories together! 🥳🎉

07/11/2024

🎓🎉 Chez Francois Poutinerie we were a family and today we are celebrating a graduation party for one of our own! 🌟 Our former amazing employee Kaylin is off to UIUC for Biomedical studies, and we couldn’t be prouder of her achievements. 🎓👩‍🎓 Join us in congratulating her and wishing her all the success in this exciting new chapter! 🎉👏 🎓✨

05/24/2024

🌟 A shoutout to all my amazing teachers, assistants, aides, coaches, and bus drivers! 🚌✨ Take a well-deserved break - you truly deserve it! Thank you for your endless patience, unwavering support, and the love you show to our kids every day, especially to those with disabilities. 🌈💕 It definitely takes a village to raise our kids, and I'm grateful to have each of you in our village. Enjoy your break! 🌺 🌟

05/19/2024

05/19/2024

🌞🐴 Exciting Summer Update! 🐴🌞

Summer is finally here, and my mom has a surprise in store for me! 🎉 Instead of lounging with my iPad after summer school, she's signed me up for a volunteer job at Ready Set Ride, a therapeutic riding facility for special needs children. 🐎 With my mom as my job coach, there's no escaping hard work! But hey, I love animals, so I'm ready for this new adventure! 🌟 Let's make a difference together and have an amazing summer ahead! 🌺🌼 🌟🐾

03/20/2024

Enjoyed a great afternoon at a non-alcohol bar Go Brewing with Francois! 😄 Had a productive business meeting while he soaked up all the attention from the lovely ladies. Supporting small businesses is key, especially when you know the owner. Cheers to new experiences and supporting local! 🌟

01/17/2024

When people ask if I have any regrets about losing money by opening the restaurant, my answer is simple: No. When I look at the people that we’ve touched and the journey to bring them to better opportunities, I feel nothing but pride. Take Joe, for example - one of my best employees with disabilities. Today, he works at Jimmy John’s in the mornings and at McDonald’s in the afternoons. Witnessing his growth and success is truly priceless. No amount of money can buy these experiences. ”

01/17/2024

When people ask if I have any regrets about losing money by opening the restaurant, my answer is simple: No. When I look at the people that we've touched and the journey to bring them to better opportunities, I feel nothing but pride. Take Joe, for example - one of my best employees with disabilities. Today, he works at Jimmy John's in the mornings and at McDonald's in the afternoons. Witnessing his growth and success is truly priceless. No amount of money can buy these experiences. "

12/30/2023

🎉✨ Happy New Year 2024 from Chez Francois! ✨🎉

As we bid farewell to a challenging 2023, I wanted to take a moment to share some personal news with all of you. After passing the keys to the new owner, my husband Francois was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer. It's been a tough journey, but I'm grateful to share that he is now in remission and doing well. These past 5 months have been a time for family, love, and cherishing every moment.

Life has a way of throwing unexpected surprises our way, reminding us to embrace every precious moment. We've missed you all dearly and have been using this time to reflect and plan for new adventures ahead. Stay tuned for what's next!

Wishing you all a year filled with love, joy, and happiness. Here's to new beginnings and treasuring every moment. Cheers to 2024! 🥂

10/31/2023

🎃 Happy Halloween, everyone! 🎃

Meet my incredible son, Francojs! He's 18 years old, autistic, and non-verbal, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying one of his favorite traditions: Trick or Treating with Dad! 🍭👻

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our amazing neighbors. Your kindness, understanding, and inclusiveness have created a truly magical experience for Francojs every Halloween. 🏘️💙

In a world where acceptance and empathy can sometimes feel rare, it's heartwarming to witness the power of a community coming together to embrace and support our special kids. 🌍🤗

Remember, it truly takes a village to foster an inclusive world for all. Let's continue to spread love, understanding, and acceptance, not just on Halloween but every day. 🌈💫

Wishing you all a safe, spooky, and joy-filled Halloween! Enjoy the treats, embrace the tricks, and cherish the moments with your loved ones. 🎃🕷️🍬

09/12/2023

Although our restaurant may be temporarily closed, we're still making waves in the community! Introducing Lauren Longo our President of the Foundation Friends of Francois and Anthony Longo, our rock star intern who recently had the honor of presenting the fantastic training program for interns with different abilities and their incredible teammates, the buddies at Friends of Francois, to the brilliant college students at Lewis University. 🎓✨

We firmly believe that these talented individuals are the future changemakers who will leave a lasting impact in the business world. By providing equal opportunities and fostering inclusivity, we're paving the way for a more diverse and empowered workforce. 💪🌍

Join us in celebrating these extraordinary individuals and their remarkable achievements. Let's continue to spread awareness, support inclusivity, and empower everyone to reach their fullest potential. Together, we can make a difference! 🤝❤️

Thank you Tracy Hemingway for the invitation to meet your wonderful students!