Life & Work with Shawna Hanks of Casa Grande

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Hanks.

Hi Shawna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The core mission of Casa Collective is to revolutionize the dining landscape in Casa Grande by providing a unique community-focused food park experience.

My partners and I were inspired by the vibrant food park scene in Oregon, and we saw a clear opportunity to bring that model here. We began by acquiring and completely renovating a historic home into our central hub—a full-service bar with extensive indoor and outdoor seating.

Since opening in February 2024, we’ve successfully operated as a dynamic food park, rotating a variety of mobile kitchens to build excitement and test concepts. Over the last year and a half, we’ve diligently worked toward our final vision: establishing permanent, full-utility hookups for our vendors. We’ve now achieved this, which means we can permanently host five diverse, full-time cuisines simultaneously.

This permanent setup is a huge selling point because it ensures quality and consistency for our customers. They come for the variety—the ability to get a drink, choose from five distinct meals, and dine together in one flexible setting. Beyond the food, we’ve cultivated a vibrant atmosphere by hosting a packed calendar of events, including live music and weekly games, and we also maximize revenue by renting out the space for private parties.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The primary strategic challenge was establishing market acceptance and vendor commitment within the highly mobile Phoenix food truck scene. Food truck operators are accustomed to constant travel for large events, so our initial hurdle was effectively communicating the unique value proposition of a permanent home at Casa Collective.

Our solution was to shift the conversation from ‘a different gig’ to ‘a low-overhead path to a brick-and-mortar presence.’ We specifically targeted entrepreneurs who saw the food park as a crucial, risk-mitigated stepping stone to stability and brand recognition. This strategic approach allowed us to secure vendors who are truly invested in the success and permanence of the Casa Collective concept.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our three-person partnership is highly effective because of our complementary skill sets. Collectively, we bring a robust combination of entrepreneurial experience, expert operational management, and a proven track record of building businesses from the ground up. Our diverse backgrounds ensure that every aspect of Casa Collective—from strategic planning and finance to daily operations and physical construction—is handled by a dedicated partner. Above all, we share a deep, unifying commitment to supporting small business.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We would like your views to understand what food park is. A food park is a collection of entrepreneurs owning and operating mobile restaurants on the same property. An indoor/outdoor dining experience focused on building community, supporting local cuisine, and enjoying a casual, relaxed, family-friendly environment. Casa Collective hosts a great bar with craft beer and wine, ciders, and a wide variety of cans and non-alcoholic beverages that ensure something for everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.casacollectiveaz.com
• Instagram: @casa_collective_az
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CasaCollectiveAZ/