Community Highlights: Meet Roy Thombs of The Naked Empanada

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roy Thombs

Hi Roy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began my career at 15, working alongside my mother, Agnes, and grandmother, Essie.
Dedication to quality and creativity in the hospitality industry has been deeply ingrained in my upbringing, inspiring me to follow my family’s entrepreneurial path in the culinary world. Embracing their passion for excellence, I’ve channeled it into my own ventures, striving to uphold the same standards of innovation and craftsmanship. The values they instilled in me—consistency, attention to detail, and delivering quality without compromise—have become the cornerstone of my business philosophy, encapsulated in the mission statement “no shortcuts.”

I earned a degree from Johnson & Wales University. During my time at Johnson & Wales, I interned at the renowned Grove Park Inn, which truly ignited my passion for the culinary arts and a culture of service. After many years in operations management and corporate human resources, I launched The Naked Empanada food truck in 2015, pursuing my entrepreneurial dream.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth, but encountering challenges is essential for growth. As a small business owner, it’s crucial to think on your feet and adapt quickly to keep moving forward. For instance, we once had a tire blowout that damaged the underside of our truck. Thankfully, we repaired it swiftly and only missed one event.

The biggest challenge we faced was during the Covid pandemic. After four years of operations, we had to rebrand due to trademark issues, which meant introducing a new name while maintaining the same quality product and ensuring our guests knew we were still the same company. This rebranding effort, combined with smart marketing strategies and the expansion of our menu by introducing new empanada flavors, has actually helped us adapt to the new normal in many positive ways.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Naked Empanada (originally Fuzzy’s Empanadas) has established itself as a unique culinary presence in the Triangle area since its inception in November 2015. As pioneers in the local food truck scene, we were the first to exclusively offer empanadas, a niche that has allowed us to flourish and expand to two trucks over our nine-year journey as of November 2024.

Our distinctive approach lies in our commitment to crafting empanadas with such rich and complex flavors that they stand alone without the need for additional sauces – hence our name, The Naked Empanada. This philosophy, “so full of flavor, no sauce needed”, sets us apart in the market and showcases our dedication to quality and taste.

We take pride in our fusion-inspired menu, which features innovative flavor combinations. For instance, our Honey Bourbon Chicken empanada is created with chicken breast marinated in bourbon, honey, apple juice, 17 secret seasonings with pepper jack cheese, exemplifying the depth and creativity we bring to our culinary offerings.

Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of our business is the remarkable guest loyalty we’ve cultivated. Our patrons have been with us since the beginning, and we’ve achieved an impressive 72% return customer rate on a regular basis. This level of brand loyalty not only validates our approach but also motivates us to continually elevate our standards and exceed expectations. We are in the process of developing our wholesale platform and are excited to announce that our delicious food products will be available in stores shortly. Please stay tuned for updates!

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible team I have the privilege of working with. Their dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment inspire me every single day. I genuinely believe that the success of our business is a direct reflection of their hard work and passion. I couldn’t do it without them.

Beyond my team, I am also profoundly thankful for the support I receive from my family, friends, and neighbors. Their encouragement has been a guiding light, especially during challenging times. Whether it’s a word of advice, a listening ear, or simply their belief in me, they have provided the strength and motivation I need to keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thenakedempanada.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakedempanada/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenakedempanada
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-naked-empanada-wake-forest-2