Mariko “Riko” Wiley and his wife Tiffany, the dynamic duo behind Riko’s Kickin Chicken, have carved out a remarkable success story in Memphis’s culinary scene. Founded in 2014 as a modest food truck, they quickly captured the taste buds of the greater Memphis area. By 2017, Riko’s had opened its first brick-and-mortar store in the heart of the Medical District.

Weathering the pandemic and continuing year-over-year growth is a testament to the Wileys’ dedication and business acumen. But the Wileys have faced significant obstacles over the years, including limited space, staffing issues, and outdated equipment. The biggest challenge they now face is scaling their business effectively, and that means opening a second location.

Their engagement with Epicenter’s Frayser Connect program, fueled by MassMutual Foundation, proved to be a turning point, providing Riko’s with the necessary funding to upgrade their equipment and set the stage for expanding the restaurant.

“Frayser Connect allowed us to acquire much-needed equipment to help improve productivity at the current location, and allowed us to realistically visualize our dream of a second location, and begin the process of making that dream a reality.”

Choya Johnson, Epicenter’s Capital Programs Specialist, has been Riko’s advisor throughout the program. “Choya has been an angel to our business and family,” the Wileys say. “She has been there for us to help us cope emotionally, educationally, and financially through this landscape.”

The last three years have been a period of significant growth for Riko’s Kickin Chicken. The Wileys have expanded their network, improved their business scaling strategies, and are now on the brink of opening their second location in Frayser, anticipated in 2024.

Frayser Connect, an investment by the MassMutual Foundation, has been a collaborative economic and community development initiative among Frayser CDC, Epicenter, and RISE Foundation. The program has built local residents’ financial and social capital, with Epicenter running entrepreneurial programming for business owners in the Frayser community.