Cruzers - Not Available On Amazon

Walter Munroe opened Cruzers located at 807 Jefferson Street, Whiteville, NC in August 2008, but his story does not begin there! Walter brings a wealth of experience and an open mind to the drive-thru and walk-up window.

Walter grew up in Columbus County, he is the son of Dr. John and Sylvia Munroe. His childhood is rich with memories of the men in his life meeting over good food, fishing, hunting and tall tales.

Walter invested over five years of his career working with Whit-Mart, Inc. in a Burger King franchise. He worked hand-in-hand with Gary Whitman and Donna Barefoot learning the value of QSC (Quality, Service, Cleanliness) drilled into the Burger King team. He continued his journey with Whit-Mart, Inc. and entered the Applebee's franchise for seven years. continuing to learn the value of QSC, the value of marketing, and concentrating on ticket time to ensure great service.

After over twelve years in the corporate environment and several conversations with Sammy Black, owner of Sam's Pit Stop, Walter said goodbye to the corporate environment and John Henry's was opened in Sam's Pit Stop in Whiteville. Walter emphasizes he never would have left the security the corporate restaurant industry offered without the conversations and advice Sammy shared with him. He admires and respects the well-rounded businessman Sammy is and how he helped him step out of his comfort zone.

John Henry's was named in honor Dr. Munroe and Robert Henry Jessup's boat. The restaurant was a great learning experience for Walter and like so many restaurant owners, he faced challenges. Although John Henry's catered, it was generally unknown and as John Henry's was hitting a brick wall fate would have pharmaceutical drug representative Susan Hooks ask Walter about catering for the doctors' offices she serviced. John Henry's would ultimately close when it was time to renew the lease, Walter with the help of Dave Smith would join forces to continue catering.

Along the way, Walter purchased the current Cruzers location from J & J Developers as an investment, fate would step in again and Cruzers was born in 2008. As Walter worked to develop a menu the customers would love, he often had his dad, Robert Henry, and Dave in the kitchen. Walter wasn't sure at times whether they were tasting to develop great food or he was simply feeding them because they were hungry. Dr. Munroe told Walter he had to have a grouper sandwich. Now years later the grouper sandwich and grouper bites bring us back to Cruzers again and again.

Walter brought a wealth of knowledge with him to Cruzers and he keeps his mind open and listens to the community supporting his business. The signature items he offers come with a story attached. The barbecue he serves is his own and his grandad's barbecue sauce makes it perfect.

The Fried Green Tomato & Pimento Cheese biscuit is compliment of Emanuel Rooks who returned from Charleston, SC, and could not believe there was not a restaurant offering fried green tomatoes for breakfast. Walter went a step further and asked Mrs. C.Y. Powell, known to her grandchildren as Yummy, to make the pimento cheese.

Perhaps the Big Sexy would suit your tastebuds? Who could say no to the bacon, country ham and egg, not former Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten. The sandwich was created for him and Betty Boop makes anything better!

And, who doesn't love Elvis? The Elvis Fresh Link Sausage was named for Walter's college roommate who insisted a North Carolina drive-thru serving breakfast had to offer fresh link sausage and to make it perfect, wrap it in a piece of light bread!

Are you craving a hearty start to your day? Mike Hyatt's inspiration for a signature breakfast has you covered; Mike's Dirty Grits Bowl is prepared just like you want it!

Lunch? Walter and his team have you covered. Chuck Cribb inspired the signature creation of The Chucky Burger. After all, we as southerners realize the importance of slaw on our burgers and the BBQ is an added bonus. And just so you know it's good for broken hearts, anxieties, hangovers, and depression!

Walter is a master of the grill and he offers his delicious brisket sandwich named in honor of Jeff Etheridge.

We could go on with the signature items available on the menu and they are sure to please, but Walter doesn't stop there when it comes to serving our community. He truly believes in the importance of supporting small and locally owned businesses. The food you are served if at all possible comes from businesses located in North Carolina. The hoop cheese is made in Ash County, the country ham is from Dan'l Boone Inn. All of the signage at Cruzers is created by Kenny White at Signs & Designs in Whiteville, NC.

He also believes in giving back to the community that supports him. Whiteville High School is one of his favorites. He worked with Franklin Davis to sponsor players of the week at Whiteville High School. It is not unusual for Cruzers to provide barbecue sandwiches for the team. Walter approached Little Dave (Dave Smith's son) to make a donation in memory of Chester McGlockton. The heart of Cruzers realizes the importance of actively giving back.

Walter also believes in the importance of his employees. They are family, not by blood but by choice. He insists that employees need a cause; they need to receive value and give value. He wants to spread goodwill and allow the employees to take ownership of their job. Cruzer's restaurant manager, Barron Smith took time to tell his story of working with Walter.

Barron arrived at Cruzer's on foot, because he did not own a car. He was not dressed in a grand manner, but he needed a job. He approached Walter on his dad's advice and Walter hired him while stating he would not last two weeks. Barron showed up for work the next day to do the dishes and was quickly put on the fry station, all while Walter picked with him. Barron thought of walking away after a week, but his father insisted Walter liked him and urged him to stay. He stayed and was moved to the drive-thru window, Walter renewed his picking ways and Barron once again thought of leaving, his father stepped in again reassuring him that Walter really liked him and was challenging him to be better. For two years, Barron walked to work, saving the money he earned. At the end of two years, he and Walter had a conversation and Barron revealed how much money he had saved and Walter let him know he would never find a girlfriend without a car. So Barron purchased his car and continues to be a part of Walter's family. Recently Walter promoted him to manager, Barron returned the next day with a letter to Walter explaining why he wasn't right for the position. Walter read the letter and then he explained to Barron why he was indeed the correct person for the position. He needed someone as manager who was not overconfident and assuming they had all the answers; he needed Barron, who was willing to continue learning and help tackle problems on a day-to-day basis. Their relationship is clearly a good one and it is working, five years later.

While Walter continues with the QSC drilled into him in the corporate world it has now become a QSCVC model. Walter's committed to also offer Value and Consistency. He believes by listening to his employees, listening to his customers, and offering them value and consistency he will continue to succeed. He believes that while he owns an independent business, he is in the people business and you complete the work through extended family on the employee and the customer side. He always remembers Pebo Collier's advice, "It's not the bells and whistles you offer, it's how you make the people feel."

Walter continues to find inspiration and loves working as a team. Locals know his brother, Alex is the owner of Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery and Cape Fear Distillery in Elizabethtown. Walter and Alex are joining forces to bottle their grandfather's barbecue sauce recipe infused with the spirits Alex produces at the Distillery. There will be barbecue sauces infused with vodka, rum, bourbon, and gin. Bottling is scheduled to start this week. Once bottled they will offer the barbecue sauce at Cruzers and Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery.

Walter's inspiration is widespread, but there is no doubt his father, Robert Henry Jessup, and Dave Smith were a large part of the inspiration. When asked what they would have to say now; Walter shared his Dad was his best friend, he would say, "Walter's just having fun."" Robert Henry would advise him not to tell anyone that he was making money and Dave would want to know what they were cooking next. The smile Walter shared while recalling these men was evidence of the role they played in his life.

If you have missed the delicious food served by Walter and his working family; make plans to stop by. It's important to remember you can find the signature items and so much more at Cruzers but, it's not available on Amazon...only in Columbus County.