2016 MVP AWARDS American Dream Award
2016 MVP AWARDS
I don ’ t think I have reached the American Dream yet ,
“ but I am happy with what I have achieved .
”
PERSONAL
Formative influences / events : Coming to the United States .
Key accomplishments : Starting from scratch to grow to a company with 25 Popeyes .
Work week : No set hours .
Best advice you ever got : My father gave me the advice , “ Don ’ t ever be greedy .”
What ’ s your passion in business ? To serve as a role model for people starting from scratch . I strive to be the best I can be . I want to be a role model for others who are trying to achieve their dream . I want to mentor upcoming entrepreneurs . I want to coach and guide them so they do not make the same mistakes I did .
honest . So once I had the opportunity , I knew nothing could stop me . It was a very exciting time .”
His passion for growth , along with his desire to pass his success on to others , is still expanding : he plans to add at least 10 more restaurants by year-end and 100 more restaurants to the company in the next 10 years .
“ As you grow , the dream grows ,” he says . “ I don ’ t think I have reached the American Dream yet , but I am happy with what I have achieved . I remember I was opening my Olden Avenue store and there were lots of hurdles . I remember sitting on the curb across the street wondering if this store would ever open . In the end , everything worked out and when that store opened , I had a feeling of achieving the American Dream .”
Butt credits his father , who owned a construction business in Pakistan , not only for his work habits , but also for teaching him to have a passion for giving to others .
“ My father always said to share your wealth ,” he says . “ Create opportunity for others . When others grow , you grow automatically . Today , I have helped seven other people obtain a Popeyes franchise and I am happy that they have an opportunity to create opportunity for others , the way I created opportunity for them .”
The Popeyes team , he says , has given him “ full support from every aspect ” and vows to work to do the same for his company and the communities his restaurants serve . He believes that striving to identify and meet the needs of his employees makes for a happy workplace . His advice for others seeking success is simple , yet powerful , and has served him well since he arrived in the U . S . almost 25 years ago : honesty , hard work , humility , and focus .
“ Work hard , have passion , and close all the back doors and just focus on one thing . Try not to chase too many opportunities at one time ,” he says . “ The problem with young people today is that they want to
2016 MVP AWARDS American Dream Award
Why do you think you were recognized with this award ? I believe I was recognized because my story is — from first to last — a portrayal of the American Dream . When I started , for me success was to make money , but as one grows and achieves something the definition of success changes . As of right now , I think success for me is how many people are better off because I lived . I want to make others successful now and help others achieve the American Dream . I am happy that 500-plus people are currently employed in my organization and have a job because I decided to pursue my dream .
How have you raised the bar in your own company ? It is always about being friendly and humble . That is why I believe that people love to work with me — at all levels of employment .
What innovations have you created and used to build your company ? Customer satisfaction is our utmost goal . We have trained our managers to think and anticipate customers ’ needs and expectations .
What core values do you think helped you win this award ? Humility , hard work , and service .
How important is community involvement to you and your company ? It is very important to be a part of the community you are in . I have gone to extra lengths to give back to the communities everywhere I have a restaurant .
What leadership qualities are important to you and your team ? Professionalism , patience , and an understanding of how to get along with employees and guests . achieve everything yesterday . The only way to achieve the American Dream , I believe , is to have focus , passion , be honest , and do hard work . There is no shortcut to success .”
MANAGEMENT
Business philosophy : Honesty , hard work , and service .
Management method or style : Involved . Humble . Relationship builder . My father is my role model . He is a very hard-working man and very honest . I learned from him that you cannot do anything alone . You have to rely on other people and create a team . Team work makes the dream work . Today , I have a group of people I can rely on , and I think I have created a very good team . The sky is the limit for this team .
Greatest challenge : Having 100 percent satisfied customers .
How do others describe you ? Nice guy .
How do you hire and fire , train and retain ? QSR is a high employee turnover business . We hire after a series of interviews and do not like to fire people . We have our own training restaurants and we all work together like a family .
BOTTOM LINE
Annual revenue : About $ 39 million . 2016 goals : At least 10 new restaurants .
Growth meter : For me , growth is new store openings and creating jobs , while maintaining or improving the service standards in the existing restaurants . Growth is taking the Popeyes brand into new markets and operating successful stores . It is so satisfying to see people get an opportunity to achieve their own American Dream .
Vision meter : Where do you want to be in 5 years ? 10 years ? In 5 years I would like to have another 50 stores , and 50 more in the next 6 to 10 years .
What are you doing to take care of your employees ? Every manager or owner must have the vision to identify the needs of their employees . Those needs must always be satisfied to achieve a good working environment .
What kind of exit strategy do you have in place ? None .
16 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE III , 2016