John Cassimus’ story is largely based on how he has enthusiastically applied talents and passions passed down from his parents. From both, he inherited a tireless work ethic, the ability to connect with others, and a keen eye for opportunities. From his mother, Zoë, a love for cooking and the knowledge of how good food can bring people together. And from his father, Marcus, an appreciation for flying and the grit to succeed regardless of circumstances.
Entering his thirties, the lone Cassimus son was already an experienced entrepreneur with a zeal for executing big ideas. In 2000, he approached his parents with his biggest yet – growing the one-location restaurant named after the family’s matriarch to become a national brand. And he did just that, with around 300 Zoës Kitchen locations open at its pinnacle. On top of his parents’ support bringing legacy family Mediterranean recipes to more people, Cassimus credits another essential aspect to the venture’s success: aircraft ownership.
He concedes that owning and operating his own aircraft supercharged his various business interests. As someone in perpetual motion, flying enabled the born and raised Southern Alabamian to speed up the growth for the fast-casual eatery and other companies he has run.
“My dad was a private pilot when I was young and would take me up with him whenever possible,” said Cassimus. “I was a football player and got several scholarship opportunities. I had the option of going to the United States Air Force Academy to be a fighter pilot but decided to go to the University of Alabama instead.” Subsequently, flying was sidelined for nearly 15 years until Cassimus was well into his entrepreneurial career after graduating with a degree in corporate finance.
On the football field, he dodged defenders as a running back, memories that remain fresh to this day. But the defenders’ blows would also be felt years later. As a result, Cassimus had his first back surgery in 2003. On the plus side, the “downtime” allowed him the time to pursue becoming a pilot. “When building Zoës, I knew that driving would not let me grow it as quickly as I would hope. I knew flying would be the best option. And at the pace of life that I go, flying is a good fit.”
Cassimus initially learned to fly in a 1980 Cessna 172 and then purchased a new Cirrus SR22 in 2004 after receiving his Private Pilot Certificate. He flew the aircraft 400 hours in the first year then traded it in for a new 2005 SR22. He put 700 hours on the plane in the following 24 months. “The SR22 was the perfect beginner instrument airplane with a glass cockpit and a solid autopilot. I cut my teeth on instrument flying and always flew around 180 knots.”
With these aircraft, he continued examining new cities for potential restaurant locations plus helped run those with existing operations. After playing the restaurant field for a decade, Cassimus saw the opportunity to hand the business to its next owner. While he remained on the team to ensure a successful transition, he concurrently considered his next steps which included moving into a new Piper Meridian in 2008.
Turboprop and pressurized operations in the PA-46 were a big step in terms of range, speed and payload. But Cassimus still had eyes downfield towards the end zone. “The dream my whole aviation life was to have a Pilatus PC-12,” he said. “I do a lot of hunting and cycling, so it is a great aircraft for my mission.”
That dream became a reality in 2014, the same year that the restaurant he had cultivated was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
“I was able to design it and get it exactly the way that I wanted,” said Cassimus. “Instead of picking a Pilatus design theme, I designed the paint and interior to fit my personality. And I still think it is the best-looking PC-12 ever built.”
Even with N33ZB’s hand-selected visual appeal, it’s the PC-12’s payload that best showcases Cassimus’ personal and professional identities. Regarding his current mission profile, he said, “From a personal standpoint, I always fly with lots of gear. Whether it’s a couple of bikes with me to ride wherever I go, or game (can fit a whole elk) and other gear when coming back from a hunt.” He noted that his bird, serial number 1476, has six executive seats, as well as two commuter seats.
Now with seven years of Pilatus operations under his belt, Cassimus noted, “For me, it’s the perfect airplane and just once I considered moving up. I think that every pilot would love to grow in speed and range and jump into a jet and go 400 knots but, with how I use it, I haven’t been able to find a jet that can do what I can do in my PC-12.”
Cassimus recalled a recent trip with five friends, all with their hunting gear, in a chartered super midsize jet. They found themselves wishing they were in the single-engine turboprop instead. The ability to go faster and higher in this scenario didn’t outweigh the inflexibility of storage space on the airplane and runway limitations.
In addition to what he flies with, who he flies with is most important to Cassimus. His passengers range from fellow business executive friends to country singers (in the late 1990s, he started a record label), family members, and fellow cyclists. Often during flights, everyone helps each other identify new business or adventure opportunities. On one particular flight from Bentonville, Arkansas, a friend persuaded Cassimus that he needed to try out another type of flying – a conversation that led to his helicopter rating. “I was able to finish my rotorcraft add-on in 30.3 hours. It has opened up a whole new world for me.”
In December of 2021, the former college football player took delivery of a 1984 Bell 206L3 in the Phoenix area, which he promptly flew back to Southern Alabama. After 12 hours of logged time, he, an instructor pilot friend, and his teenage daughter landed the helicopter at Cassimus’ hunting ranch near the town of Eufaula. He plans to use the helicopter there to better survey his acreage and its wildlife, as well as travel locally between various businesses.
One of his newest ventures is Crazy Cazboy’s, founded in 2019. This extreme discount business and warehouse retailer currently has currently has six locations in four states and an established online presence. Undoubtedly, Cassimus will continue employing fixed-wing flight to efficiently scout potential future sites and visit existing ones as the liquidator continues its expansion. “The PC-12 is an amazing plane for long cross-country flights due to its range, comfort and ability to land at virtually any airport.”
In the current unprecedented aircraft marketplace, his critical business tool is worth nearly as much as when he bought it new in 2014. But even with its high resale potential, the PC-12 will stay with him for the foreseeable future because of how well it fits his mission, even allowing access to one of Cassimus’ most treasured investments: his hunting ranch Sawtooth Plantation. The 3,200-foot grass strip is a common landing site for the PC-12.
“It performs really well on grass and doing short-field takeoffs when the airplane doesn’t have a lot of weight. It will be off the ground today [being repositioned to a nearby airport for fuel] in about 1,200 feet. And landing on the grass with the trailing link landing gear is really great. I haven’t once felt shaking.”
Today, Cassimus has logged around 3,700 hours of fixed-wing time total and flies around 150 hours to 200 hours per year. Typically, he will fly the Pilatus to various locations within the continental United States but has also flown it to Canada, Mexico, and The Bahamas. Additionally, he anticipates hovering around 150 hours a year.
To sum up his 19 years of aviation experience, Cassimus said, “Flying has allowed me to grow all of my businesses at a rapid pace. And the ability to move quickly anytime fits my personality and allows me to continue to grow personally and professionally.”