Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue II, 2014 | Page 22

MULTI-BR A N D 50 BY DEBBIE SELINSKY Branching Out C Young operator adds Sears to his two food brands onventional wisdom says it makes sense for multi-unit franchisees with food brands to stick with food as they expand. Ahmed ElHawary doesn’t see it that way. El-Hawary, who worked in his family’s restaurant as a youth, operates four Firehouse Subs. When he opened his first 12 years ago, he was the brand’s youngest franchisee. Last December, he opened his first Golden Corral restaurant, a $3.5 million project built from the ground up. But when the 34-year-old—who also worked in his father’s business selling glass doors, screens, and garage doors—had the opportunity to acquire eight Sears Outlets stores, he didn’t hesitate. “It was an opportunistic choice. We’re the third franchisees to come in and do the Sears Outlets, which are now outside the Sears brand but still have that strong name behind them,” he says. “Most of what we do is sell appliances at 20 to 70 percent off retail. We don’t own the inventory. Sears owns it and gives us commission on sales. It’s a great business model—an old company with a new business model. It’s been exciting and the fastest-growing segment in our company. To build Golden Corral restaurants takes more time because of the large footprint, so those won’t come on as fast as the Sears Outlets. We’ll continue to grow our Firehouse brand, which is a great brand with great guys, as opportunities arise.” El-Hawary was born in Cincinnati to Egyptian parents and grew up in Merritt Island, Fla. He says he doesn’t see himself as a restaurateur. “I’m a businessman. And once you understand the fundamentals of business, it doesn’t NAME: Ahmed El-Hawary TITLE: Owner/CEO COMPANY: Zeal Group NO. OF UNITS: 4 Firehouse Subs; 1 Golden Corral (and 1 under development); and 8 Sears Outlets (all in Florida) AGE: 34 FAMILY: Father, mother, and two sisters YEARS IN FRANCHISING: 12 YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 12 20 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE II, 2014