Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 16, 2025
Ave Maria Entrepreneur Expands Culinary Empire with Vicky Bakery Launch
TLDR
- Phong Ho strategically expanded his restaurant empire in Ave Maria by identifying and filling market gaps with popular franchises like Tropical Smoothie, OASIS, and Vicky Bakery.
- Phong Ho transitioned from mathematics and homebuilding to carefully selecting and opening franchises based on community needs and thorough market research over 13 years.
- Phong Ho enhances Ave Maria's quality of life by providing essential dining options that foster community connection and local economic growth.
- A 25-year-old with no smoothie experience built a restaurant empire by bringing beloved Cuban pastries and award-winning eateries to his community.
Impact - Why it Matters
This expansion matters because it represents how local entrepreneurs can transform community development through strategic business investments that address resident needs. Ho's success story demonstrates how identifying gaps in local markets—from smoothies to sit-down dining to authentic ethnic bakeries—can create thriving businesses that become community anchors. For residents, these establishments enhance quality of life by providing diverse dining options within their community, reducing the need to travel for quality food experiences. The Vicky Bakery addition specifically brings authentic Cuban culinary traditions to a new region, preserving cultural foodways while creating local jobs and economic activity. Such entrepreneurial ventures contribute to making master-planned communities like Ave Maria more self-sufficient and culturally vibrant.
Summary
Phong Ho, a Vietnamese-born entrepreneur who grew up in Florida, has become a pivotal figure in Ave Maria's culinary scene through his strategic franchise acquisitions. After beginning his career in accounting and homebuilding with Pulte Homes, Ho was encouraged by his father to enter the restaurant business at age 25, starting with Tropical Smoothie Café. His success led to the 2022 opening of OASIS The Kitchen Lounge, which quickly gained recognition as one of Southwest Florida's best new restaurants by the Naples Daily News.
In May 2024, Ho expanded his portfolio by bringing Vicky Bakery to Ave Maria, marking the first location of this beloved Cuban pastry shop on Florida's west coast. The bakery, founded in 1972 by Antonio and Gelasia Cao who migrated from Cuba as political exiles, maintains authentic recipes that have created a devoted following across Florida's 30+ locations. Ho recognized the community's demand for breakfast options and was inspired by residents' enthusiasm, with one famously stating they would "die for a Vicky at Ave."
Ho's journey from Pulte Homes employee to restauranteur demonstrates his deep commitment to Ave Maria's development, having moved to the master-planned community in 2007. His businesses have become essential to the town center experience, providing diverse dining options that range from smoothies and sit-down meals to authentic Cuban pastries. Ho continues to plan future spectacular developments to support the growing community he calls home.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Ave Maria Entrepreneur Expands Culinary Empire with Vicky Bakery Launch
