Pastor-turned-entrepreneur brings the love to Waco through Pop’s, MacHouse & CheddarBox

Before finding his current passion, Omari Head (MDiv ’12) interned for the Seattle Seahawks as an athletic trainer, then worked in student life, earned his master’s of divinity from Truett Seminary, and served as a college pastor and worship leader at a local church. But entrepreneurship was always in his blood — and now he shares his joy right here in Waco through a series of local favorites.

Head and his wife, Abby, run Head Hospitality — the parent company for MacHouse, CheddarBox, and Pop’s Lemonade (“the sweetest spot in Waco!”). Their expertise is comfort food: mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and lemonade.

If you’ve been on Baylor’s campus recently, there’s a good chance you’ve seen (or even sampled) Pop’s offerings, in particular, from either their food truck or their spot in the Bill Daniel Student Center (SUB), at McLane Stadium and now the new Foster Pavilion.

[WATCH Omari and Abby Head talk to Baylor entrepreneurship students at the Foster Campus, April 2022]

The lemonade gets its name and its inspiration from Omari’s own Pops — his dad, Andre Head, who taught Omari the lemonade recipe when the younger Head was just 10 years old. That recipe and his father’s love of welcoming others drive the business that is Pop’s today.

“My dad was all about hospitality,” Omari told the Baylor Lariat. “He really loved to host people. He wanted people to feel loved all the time. Part of honoring him with the business is just making sure that people feel loved, people feel accepted, that lemonade does more than quench your thirst, but it brings a smile to your face.”

And it’s not only about being approachable. The people that work for MacHouse, CheddarBox and Pops are kind, happy, and ready with a smile every time you order. That’s done with intention, wanting customers to feel better when they leave than when they came in. Head says he’s in the hospitality business to make sure people feel loved and accepted. “We love food and beverages, but we love people and want to take care of them well.”

Sic ’em, Omari!