Carmen Anthony Vacalebre is a lifelong resident of Waterbury, Connecticut. He grew up in the Brooklyn section of town, and attended local schools. When the "business bug" bit Carmen, he decided to try his hand at the restaurant business, and joined a growing national chain, which sent him off to college... and thus, armed with his degree in "Hamburgerology" from McDonald's University, his career began.
After a few years with McDonald's, Carmen was yearning to "do his own thing." He opened his first independent fast food restaurant, ME-MA'S, in Wolcott, Connecticut, in 1969. Just a short time later, he opened ME-MA'S in Waterbury, Connecticut, and eventually began to expand his company by becoming an Arby's franchisee.
In May of 1996, Carmen realized a lifelong dream with the opening of his first upscale restaurant, Carmen Anthony Steakhouse. His attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality immediately established the steakhouse as one of Connecticut's most popular and successful restaurants, garnering awards and kudos from critics and customers alike.
Just two years later, in the Summer of 1998, Carmen Anthony Fishhouse opened in historic Woodbury, and Carmen Anthony Fishhouse of Avon opened on June 22, 1999! Early response and acceptance proved that Carmen had done it again. Soon to follow, location number four, Carmen Anthony Fishhouse of Wethersfield, opened in June, 2000. And the second steakhouse... the company's fifth Connecticut location... Carmen Anthony Steakhouse of New Haven, opened at 660 State Street in New Haven in November of 2004.
Carmen devotes a great deal of his personal time to his community and his profession. He is a past Chairman of the Board of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, a past Director of the National Restaurant Association, a Director of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, a Director of the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as many other charitable associations.
