Family, friends, foodies and favorite politicians all turned out to wish brothers Eddie Truong and Edwin Truong success at the grand opening of their first restaurant—Teriyaki Madness, 134 E. El Camino Real, on May 10.
The two brothers, American-born sons of Vietnamese immigrant parents and long-time Bay Area residents, took the big leap (and risk) of going into business together. Eddie, the younger, does the marketing, and Edwin handles the daily operations of the Asian-fusion franchise restaurant, employing almost 30.
“We’re a two-power duo,” joked Eddie Truong. “We decided to go into business together because we have such a great relationship.”
Teriyaki Madness is known for its Asian-inspired teriyaki bowls, made using fresh ingredients and customizable with chicken, salmon, beef or tofu. Customers place their orders at the front counter, either for fast take-out or casual dining in, at one of four tables.
“Our brand is delicious and healthy,” said Eddie.
The brothers are banking on their belief that the dishes will appeal to health-conscious people, such as those who work out at 24 Hour Fitness in the same shopping center, which is anchored by Safeway. It makes good business sense to have a cluster of businesses supporting healthy lifestyles.
Teriyaki Madness is at the intersection of Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road and El Camino Real. Its 1,400 sq. ft. are about half the retail space that used to house KeyPoint Credit Union. A halal restaurant is slated to occupy the other half.
“The diversity of our city is reflected in the diversity of our restaurants,” remarked Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein at the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I’m overjoyed to have additional diversity in our restaurants.”
Sunnyvale foodies like Laura and Mark Robichek were excited to be at the grand opening.
“This is wonderful! The more food choices we have, the better,” said Laura Robichek. “We try to go to every restaurant in the city.”
Mayor Klein has the same notion. He launched the “Eat Sunnyvale” restaurant project at the start of COVID-19 to help the community locate the more than 250 restaurants in the city.
“If you don’t know where it is, you’re not going to find a restaurant,” said Klein, pointing out that in the next six months several more are scheduled to open in Sunnyvale. “New restaurants are constantly opening. Small businesses are the heart and soul of our community.”
The grand opening of Teriyaki Madness on the day before Mother’s Day honored Eddie and Edwin Truong’s mom, Lieu Bacah, who posed with them as they were presented with commendations from dignitaries— Klein and Sunnyvale Vice-Mayor Linda Sell, Santa Clara County Supervisor and friend Otto Lee, California State Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens, Elizabeth Vacca on behalf of State Senator Aisha Wahab and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
“In California, you can still achieve the American dream, and it usually starts with a small business,” said Ma.
“I’m very, very happy and I’m very proud of my sons,” said Bacah, whose husband passed away ten years ago. The couple arrived in America with empty pockets and started their own business in San Jose—Eddie’s Arts & Crafts, now closed.
“I see the spirit of our parents’ entrepreneurship in this new endeavor,” said Eddie Truong.
Hard work and earned success are stories that never get old—including this story of two brothers following the example of their immigrant parents and pursuing their own dream in Sunnyvale.
Sunnyvale’s Teriyaki Madness is one of 26 in California and about 175 nationally.
In Santa Clara, a Teriyaki Madness is located at 2020 Wyatt Dr., Suite 120, in Mission Park Business Park, not far from Rivermark Village. It opened in 2012, following the franchise’s successful launch and development in Las Vegas in 2003.
Luckily for Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.
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