A Toast to New Beginnings

After 20 years in the insurance industry, John Reuber made the decision to pursue his dream of becoming his own boss. In 2015, John opened breakfast and lunch restaurant TOAST, Four Corners, in Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut. With the help of his friends and family, who also work alongside John at TOAST, he created a welcoming, family-friendly business that serves mouth-watering comfort food to the local community. TOAST, Four Corners is “your cornerstone to great food”.

After attending Florida State University, John developed a taste for the comfort foods of the South and a passion for bringing his favorites to the customers he now serves. He also brings his second passion, college sports, to life through the restaurant décor. John is a proud Florida State fan while the rest of his family prefer the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies. Despite John’s Florida State allegiance, TOAST boasts a “Husky Room” loaded with memorabilia, given its location in UConn territory. But, don’t be surprised if you see some Florida State décor show up every once in a while.

To launch an endeavor combining his love of college sports and great food, John worked with Guidant Financial to roll his 401(k) retirement funds into the business. This was possible through Guidant’s Rollover as Business Startups (ROBS) option. ROBS allowed John to pursue his passions and finance his dream business, all without incurring any penalties or fees for withdrawing early.

From there, the almost immediately profitable TOAST, Four Corners was born, just over a year ago. With a robust menu of biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, and cheesy grits, the staff even bake fresh breads and muffins on site. They also offer a full line of gluten-free alternatives. However, they still offer a wonderful selection of the classics including pancakes, waffles and omelets. And new to the menu is a breakfast creation John calls “The Pile,” a unique take on the classic breakfast casserole. Take our word for it, it’s a dish worth driving to.

Check out TOAST, Four Corners out at toastfourcorners.com.