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Family, Community, and Nostalgia: Inside the Frosty Mug with the Gollotts
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In this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew Allen talks with Chris and Payton Gollott, owners of The Frosty Mug in Wiggins, Mississippi. Chris shares his background growing up in D'Iberville, MS., his lifelong experience in the restaurant industry, and the journey to acquiring The Frosty Mug in December 2023. He discusses balancing tradition with new ideas, improving menu quality, and the importance of maintaining the community's beloved gathering spot. Payton, Chris's son, talks about joining the family business while studying business in college and how the hands-on experience is shaping his future goals. The Gollott family emphasizes community involvement, small changes for big improvements, and their vision to expand The Frosty Mug while staying true to its roots. If you're in Wiggins, check out their classic burgers and milkshakes, and experience a true local treasure.
3 Episode Key Takeaways 1. Preserving Community Heritage:
Chris and Payton emphasized how important the Frosty Mug is to the Wiggins community. The restaurant has a long legacy and deep ties—people have worked there across generations, gotten engaged there, and even requested the Frosty Mug to cater their weddings. When Chris and his family took ownership, their main goal was not to drastically change things but to build on its nostalgic and historic value while making careful, thoughtful improvements.
2. Thoughtful Modernization:
Rather than overhauling everything after purchasing the Frosty Mug, Chris took time to observe and gradually implement improvements, especially focused on quality and process in the kitchen. They enhanced recipes (like making sauces in-house and improving their grilled chicken), modernized operations with digital platforms, and sought to blend a classic 1960s feel with present-day conveniences, highlighting a respect for tradition while aiming for efficiency and better guest experiences.
3. Community Engagement and Growth Vision:
Payton and Chris described a community-first approach, with deep involvement in local schools, events, and outreach spearheaded by Chris's wife. They have started catering, sponsored local teams, and introduced new services like breakfast. Their vision includes both physically expanding the restaurant (adding indoor seating, maybe enclosing patios) and potentially growing The Frosty Mug brand to other communities while preserving its unique, nostalgic character.
Show Overview 00:00 Journey to Owning Community Landmark
06:07 Culinary Journey and Career Growth
07:45 Quality Over Speed in Dining
11:08 Buying Historic Community Restaurant
16:19 Revamping The Frosty Mug
21:29 Improving Seating for Year-Round Use
23:43 Nuanced Kitchen Transformation
28:47 Custom Po Boy Conversation
32:40 Rising Food Costs Frustrate Customers
36:15 Balancing Business Decisions and Community
38:05 Community Champion: Outreach Impact
40:51 Discussing Business Leadership
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