For Chris Johnson, leaving the corporate world wasn’t just about finding a new career—it was about finding something more meaningful. After years of solving complex problems as a senior director in the tech industry, he often felt disconnected from the real-world impact of his work. That changed when he discovered Sticky Fingers Cooking.
Chris’s passion for cooking started early. He recalls spending many hours in the kitchen with his aunt, learning the art of baking. It’s a tradition that he’s kept alive with his now 11-year-old daughter. From Saturday mornings flipping pancakes together to preparing his grandmother’s lasagna on Christmas Eve, Chris’s kitchen has been a place of happiness and connection. So, when the opportunity arose to combine his love of food, kids, and education, it felt like a natural step forward.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with kids more than adults,” Chris shared. He had even planned to become a high school history teacher, but his life took a different path, leading him into a 20-year corporate career. When his company offered a voluntary separation package, Chris saw it as the perfect moment to explore something he had dreamed of for over a decade—owning his own business.
One evening, while researching franchise opportunities, Chris came across Sticky Fingers Cooking. The idea of teaching children to cook, just as his aunt had done for him, struck a chord. “It spoke to me immediately,” he said. “[and] it seemed like a good middle ground between working in a corporation or trying to start something from scratch.”
When Chris shared the news with his 11-year-old daughter, who had just returned from sleep-away summer camp, her excitement matched his. She’s already finding ways to pitch in, eager to be part of this new adventure.
The support from his family—his wife, daughter, and the aunt who introduced him to baking—has been overwhelming. They’ve all noticed a positive shift in him, often commenting on how much happier he seems.
Erin Fletter, CEO and co-founder of Sticky Fingers Cooking, notes, “Chris’s passion for food, family, and education is exactly what Sticky Fingers Cooking is all about. His desire to create meaningful connections through cooking mirrors our mission to bring joy and confidence to kids in the kitchen. We’re over the moon to have him join our growing family.”
As Chris opens his Sticky Fingers Cooking franchise in Princeton, NJ, he’s excited to make a lasting impact in the community, carrying on the family tradition of cooking, and creating a legacy for his daughter. And with New Jersey’s strong emphasis on education, Princeton’s diverse culture, and the area’s demand for after-school enrichment programs, Sticky Fingers Cooking is perfectly positioned to thrive.
We’re thrilled to welcome Chris to our team! We’ll be celebrating in true New Jersey diner fashion—and honoring Chris’s father-daughter pancake-making tradition—with a delicious stack of “Blank Canvas” Pancakes + Crazy Creative Add-Ins!
Sticky Fingers Cooking is coming in hot this fall in Central New Jersey!
Do you know families in and around Princeton, New Jersey? Help us spread the word—our live, in-person cooking classes are already in full swing!
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