When Phil Williams joined the British Army at 18, he never imagined he’d one day be running a thriving Thai restaurant in his hometown. Williams spent 17 years in the Royal Dragoon Guards, serving on deployments around the world. But after leaving the Army, he initially found himself in a very different role – working as an HGV driver for civilian haulage companies.
It was during this time that he met Chanisara, a native of Thailand, which sparked a whole new dream. Together, the couple began to envision opening an authentic Thai eatery – a path about as far removed from military life as one could imagine.
From market stall to restaurant vision
Williams and Chanisara started small, testing the waters with a Thai food stall in Warrington’s central market; the fresh, flavoursome cuisine was a hit with locals. Proud of his military background, Williams made a point to support the Armed Forces community even at the stall – offering a discount to fellow service members and veterans. Encouraged by positive feedback, the pair began searching for a permanent restaurant site.
Still, they didn’t rush the expansion. In fact, they spent five years patiently looking for the perfect location to ensure their venture would have the best chance of success.
Taking the leap with a little help
The breakthrough came in 2024 when a unit became available at The Hive, a busy spot in Warrington town centre. To fund the next step, Williams turned to support specifically designed for veterans and applied for a Start Up Loan. With guidance from X-Forces Enterprise, he and Chanisara secured £24,000 to kit out the restaurant properly.
The money paid for commercial kitchen equipment, tradespeople for the renovation, and the many small but essential costs that quickly add up when starting a business from scratch. Williams took charge of the refit himself. He organised contractors, sourced materials, and oversaw everything from the layout of the kitchen to the décor in the dining area. The restaurant began to take shape around them, complete with touches from Thailand and a regimental flag hanging on the wall.
Military skills on the menu
As work progressed, Williams found himself drawing on the military skills he’d relied on for nearly two decades. He talks about perseverance, patience, and the simple habit of asking for advice when he needs it. If he didn’t know something, he found someone who did. During the fit-out, teamwork was everything. He approached the project like a mission: assess the situation, speak to specialists, stick to the plan, adjust when necessary, and keep going until the job was done.
The traits that once helped him through long exercises and deployments now helped him navigate building regulations, food safety rules, and the unpredictable nature of starting a business. Even in the kitchen, he sees similarities. Patience under pressure, staying calm when orders pile up, and adapting quickly all feel oddly familiar. The skills transferred more easily than he ever expected.
A taste of success and future ambitions
Krapow Thai Restaurant opened its doors on 3rd May 2024, and, before the paint had even dried, the booking list was full. Regulars from the market stall returned, new customers arrived through word of mouth, and the restaurant quickly became one of the busiest spots in the area. Within weeks, the couple had grown from two people at a market stall to a team of eight.
For now, Williams isn’t rushing expansion. He wants to get this restaurant right before thinking about anything bigger. His focus is simply on making Krapow Thai a local favourite, a place people return to again and again.
Looking back, Williams sees more links between military life and hospitality than most would imagine. Both demand leadership, quick thinking, and calm under pressure. Whether guiding soldiers or running a busy dinner service, he has learned to trust the instincts shaped over 17 years in uniform.
In many ways, this second career has become its own kind of service. He still takes pride in supporting the Armed Forces community, just in a different setting. And as he puts it, he’s swapped a rifle for a spatula, but the sense of purpose feels much the same.
