IN JUNE, Willy-Yums officially celebrated its ninth anniversary, serving the local community at its Bradenton hot dog restaurant. The business is owned and operated by Robert Williams, who also has a food truck by the same name. Inspired by a favorite childhood hot dog spot from his youth in Michigan, Williams transitioned from his role at Tampa International Airport to pursue his dream after surviving a minor stroke in 2016. He and his wife decided to go all-in, each leaving their respective careers to open Willy-Yums on June 1, 2017.

Like his childhood spot, the restaurant features a simple ordering window and picnic tables, making it perfect for a casual family outing. “This has been my dream since I was 17,” he says. “The restaurant in Michigan that I remember so well served only hot dogs, chips and one flavored soda, which was root beer. It was the place where everybody went after school. It was the place where the families went in the evenings or on the weekends. It has definitely served as my inspiration for Willy-Yums.” Williams proudly shares that his restaurant has been recognized as one of the top 10 best hot dog restaurants in Florida and the Bay Area's best. While Williams had initially intended to serve only hot dogs, chips and soda, his menu evolved following customer requests. Cuban sandwiches were soon added, followed by burgers, Philly cheesesteaks and fajita tater tots. Vegetarian options, including veggie dogs and burgers, were added to accommodate diverse dietary needs. The idea for the food truck came about in late 2019, with active operations beginning in early 2020. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Williams used the truck to reach the public, often cold calling homeowner associations and apartment complexes for visits. “We wanted the food truck so that we could get out into the public and serve, and if somebody said, ‘wow, this food is great, where are you going to be tomorrow?’ we could tell them that we have a brick-and-mortar, come see us! It's always there. It's in the same spot all the time.” Currently, the truck operates four to five days a week, primarily Tuesday through Saturday, serving various school sports events, including Sarasota High School soccer and lacrosse, Manatee High School baseball and softball and Lakewood Ranch flag football. In addition to the restaurant's anniversary, Williams is marking the release of a children's book he both authored and illustrated. Zac and the Magical Hotdog Stand was inspired by his son—who, as a child, often accompanied his parents to work—and his business, with the goal of fostering confidence and encouragement in young readers. The story centers on Zac, a shy boy who encounters a magical hot dog stand operated by the kind Mr. Rob. Through this newfound friendship and Mr. Rob's support, Zac develops self-belief. Aimed at children aged five to ten, the book explores themes of kindness, confidence and the importance of feeling seen. Readers can find the book on Amazon and other major digital book retailers.  SRQ