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July 29, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMs. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to honor Winn Nguyen and his family's restaurants Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse and Winn & Sara's Kitchen of Warren County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
every aspect of the restaurant business. Inspired by the American dream and driven by a desire to build a strong legacy, he opened Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse in Indianola in 2003. He grew the restaurant from a team of 7 employees to approximately 20 today, including several members of his own family. In 2015, as the Indianola location flourished, Winn opened a second restaurant in Norwalk, now managed by his son Andrew Sayasane. This expansion enabled the family business to serve a rapidly growing community while creating an opportunity for future generations to carry on the family's legacy.
In 2024, Winn and his wife Sara opened Winn & Sara's Kitchen. Operating primarily from a booth at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, the business quickly became a crowd favorite. The family hand-wraps more than 3,000 egg rolls each day during the fair—a remarkable testament to their craftsmanship, work ethic, and commitment to quality. Outside of the Iowa State Fair, Winn & Sara's Kitchen regularly hosts popular pop-up events at both Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse locations. Today, the Nguyen family operates a thriving, family-owned network of businesses across Indianola, Norwalk, and Des Moines. Their continued growth demonstrates the power of entrepreneurship rooted in family values.
businesses remain deeply engaged in Warren County. They are members of the Indianola Chamber of Commerce, which has been a strong supporter of Winn & Sara's Kitchen at the Iowa State Fair. The businesses regularly participate in community events, providing catering for school functions, public graduation celebrations, and fundraising events benefiting Indianola High School. In 2017, the Des Moines Register named Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse best family-owned restaurant and best pizza restaurant. At the 2024 and 2025 Iowa State Fairs, Winn & Sara's Kitchen earned the People's Choice Award for Best New Fair Food and was named a top three finalist again in 2026, with a chance to claim the title for a third time this August. From a single restaurant in 2003 to multiple successful ventures today, the Nguyens credit the Indianola community for supporting their family over the past 23 years. Their entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to excellence, and dedication to serving others embody the qualities that make Iowa's small businesses exceptional.
behind Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse and Winn & Sara's Kitchen. I look forward to their continued success and wish them the best in the years ahead.