He sets up his snack bar 2 km from a McDonald's on this busy departmental road in the Oise

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At 44, Christophe Gonfrere made his dream of retraining a reality. This former IT manager in an SME in Beauvais opened a month ago chip shop snack at the exit ofEsquennoy (Oise), on the D 1001, which connects Oise in Amiens. “Staying behind a desk all day giving orders wasn’t very stimulating,” he summarizes.

His first week of opening, he did it from home, not having immediately obtained the necessary authorizations. It is now well established and ready to sell burgers and fries at the start of 2025.

Christophe therefore placed his gray trailer (don't go talking to him about a food truck!), in a small enclosure located opposite the cemetery of this village of 750 souls located near Breteuilmid-December.

He reactivates the chip shop concept in the village, 30 years later

A location that he rents on the Chassy farm and which he has been eyeing for quite some time. “I passed by it every day on my way to work and I said to myself that it was a shame that there was no small restaurant here,” describes this resident of Bonneuil-les-eaux.

Reactivate the chip shop concept in this village This historic location was close to his heart, especially since he came to stroll here as a child to “eat fries with the family”. “This place hosted a chip shop until 1996, but it then closed. Then a woman took over for a year. It opened three times a week. I think she found a location in Beauvais,” recalls this forty-year-old.

The proximity of McDonald's doesn't scare him

Another hot spot which also served as a grocery store also closed in the center of this village in the north of Oise last year, which leaves Christophe free rein in this niche. Well almost… Since a McDonald's is two kilometers away, in the neighboring town of Breteuil.

Many customers have also asked him this question: why on earth go and set up shop near a burger giant?

I tell them that my project dates from more than a year ago, before the construction of McDonald's. And then I tell them to compare the two. Go eat at McDonald's and then come to my place, you'll see who you'll most want to come back to!

He has a tasty anecdote on this subject. “I have a customer who delivers fries to McDonald’s in Oise. But she preferred to order from me the other day! » His specialty is American sandwicheswith or without raw vegetables, which he sells 7,5 euros.

“With the neon lights, you can see me clearly”

Christophe believes enormously in the potential of this location, ideal for a buffet break for truckers. 35,000 vehicles travel every day on the D 1001between Amiens and Beauvais, so many potential mouths to feed.

Truckers come here to sleep. At night, with the neon lights, you can see me clearly! I also have beet growers, who come to my house for a couple of hours and who are happy to be able to eat something hot on the road. There is also a whole passing clientele, since I am ideally located on this axis.

Christophe leaned against a small generator in his trailer, and is preparing to make a request to the town hall to install a sign, in order to make himself more visible from the road. “I would also like to offer coffee to truck drivers, even if a coffee maker requires a lot of electricity, and install tables, chairs and standing tables on sunny days. And of course we will also have barbecues,” he gets excited.

American sandwiches and fried sausages

In the village and those surrounding it, the new kid in snacking has in any case piqued the curiosity of the residents. “I would like two Americans, for two French people,” orders Michel, a 52-year-old former merchant from Breteuil with a certain cheekiness. For him, this arrival is a blessing for the village, where there was “nothing left in terms of commerce”. “And then, it’s practical when you’re too lazy to cook for lunch,” he adds. This resident of Paillart also wanted to test the concept. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about it,” she confides.

The beginnings are not easy, but Christophe, who is in it from his own pocket as they say, believes in it wholeheartedly. These first weeks of opening will serve as a “test”. “Sometimes I can do two hours selling just one American, until a big order comes in over the phone. People are starting to identify me! A lady yesterday took five menus from me at once, it wasn't bad,” says the new restaurateur, who also offers his services during weddings or receptions.

At Snack d'Esquennoy, rue Saint-Pierre (near the cemetery), on the D 1001. Facebook page. Orders on 07 64 05 84 22.

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