BY DANIELLE BUENROSTRO
Brotherhood of Friends Chalak Mitra Group spreads to 27 states
Al Bhakta is proof that friends can be successful in business together . As managing director of the Dallas-based Chalak Mitra Group of Companies , Bhakta is one of seven longtime friends who have made wise business decisions together through the years .
“ We ’ ve got a good team of seven partners , we ’ re all best friends , and we ’ ve built a great network and a great company ,” says the 38-year-old . “ We look at opportunities first to see if they will work for our culture and company . Money is the last piece . It always figures itself out .”
Bhakta describes the company ’ s culture as a family-oriented , fun environment where they work hard and play hard . Outside of work they have regular family outings and often vacation together . “ We think about everything and do it for the greater good of the company . We ’ ve been together for a long time ,” he says .
As the most experienced member of the group , Bhakta ’ s focus is on strategic partnerships and growing the company ’ s diverse portfolio . As both a franchisor and a franchisee , he ’ s found great success in diversifying the group ’ s portfolio by pursuing different brands at different times . Managing multiple brands across 27 states is no small task , but he says his shared services approach provides a brand-agnostic infrastructure able to support different brands and their different needs .
The partners first became franchisees in 2001with the fledgling Genghis Grill brand . It took them 18 months of hard work and sweat equity to reach breakeven . Three years later they bought out the concept .
Today the group operates 147 KFC / Taco Bells and 5 La Madeleine franchised units . It also is the franchisor of 79 Genghis Grills , 12 Elephant Bars , 5 Fireside Pies , 4 Ruby Tequila ’ s Mexican Kitchens , and 1 Pepper Smash .
“ Diversification hedges us against economic downturns when people are trading up or down , and it helps us with certain regions ,” he says .
Bhakta cited changes in technology and innovation as the biggest challenges facing the restaurant industry . New ways to deliver the end product to customers , the growth of delivery companies , and online ordering are compelling technologies companies must figure out and embrace to remain competitive .
“ The industry is shifting that way fast ,” he says . “ We ’ re not
NAME : Al Bhakta TITLE : Managing director COMPANY : Chalak Mitra Group of Companies
NO . OF UNITS : As a franchisee , 147 KFC / Taco Bell , 5 La Madeleine ; as a franchisor , 79 Genghis Grill , 12 Elephant Bar , 5 Fireside Pies , 4 Ruby Tequila ’ s Mexican Grill , 1 Pepper Smash .
AGE : 38 FAMILY : Wife and child YEARS IN FRANCHISING : 15 YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION : 15
16 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE I , 2017