Nadeem Bajwa, 58, is the co -founder and executive director of Bajco Group.
Courtesy of Nadeem Bajwa
In 1991, Nadeem Bajwa emigrated to the United States from Pakistan. While attending the University in Indiana, he worked some works, including pizza delivery for the Papa John’s restaurant chain, where he won $ 4.25 per hour.
Today, the 58 -year -old man has a fast food empire. Bajwa is now an important franchisee of Pope Johns in North America, with more than 270 locations throughout the country.
It is also the CEO of Bajo Group, which co -founded with its two brothers, and has a diverse portfolio of companies that cover construction, technology, accounting, its Papa Johns portfolio and more.
Immigrant success
Bajwa’s path to success was not easy. In his veins, he was the first in his family to move to the United States, where he found many challenges upon his arrival.
“Coming to the United States, in reality, that was my first flight [ever.] I had never flown before, “Bajwa said.” Just entering the plane, it was a complete flight that came here alone, [there was] A lot of anxiety … but I was determined to do it. “
He said he experienced a cultural shock and fought with communication because it was not fluid in English at that time. “Sometimes, when you’re far from the family, and you’re alone … it was very, very difficult,” Bajwa said.
To help finance the expenses of his university, Bajwa collected some secondary concerts.
“My first summer, I did three jobs … wash the dishes [during] Breakfast time, and then delivering pizzas in the afternoon, and late at night, working in Taco Bell, “Bajwa told CNBC.
“I lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and … I began to deliver for Papa John’s when they arrived in the city and from there, I began to love him, and the advice were good, so that helped,” he said.
Nadeem Bajwa with their brothers and co -founders of the Bajco group, Faisal Bajwa and Abdul Malik Bajwa.
Courtesy of the Bajco Group.
Bajwa quickly climbed the ranks in Pope John’s. When he graduated from the University in 1996, he had already made the transition of being a delivery driver to the area manager. After graduating, Bajwa requested some corporate roles because that is what he always expected to do after his studies.
“I requested some jobs, and in my mind, I expected not to get corporate work, but I wanted to try it because that was one of the … verification brands that I had to verify,” he said. “I just didn’t want to have that regret that I never requested, because all my life, I thought I would go to the corporate sector.”
“But when I went to look for a [corporate] work, I couldn’t get [a] work that would pay me … more than I was already doing [at Papa John’s]”Bajwa said. For that reason, he decided to stay in the pizza business and ended up directing multiple pizza stores before becoming a franchisee itself.
In July 2002, with the help of family support and bank loans, Bajwa opened its first Papa John’s store in East Liverpool, Ohio.
“I bought used equipment at a very low price, and at that time, I built the store for half [of] What I would have [paid]Because I did a lot [the labor] Myself, “he added.” All my thoughts was to open with the least amount of money and spend money on marketing. “
The cost of construction of his first store was approximately $ 150,000, he said.
Hard -desire lessons
Bajwa learned some lessons from the beginning, thanks to some key errors.
Before opening its first location in the restaurant, Bajwa focused largely on running the voice on the large opening of the store.
“I did too much marketing and the first day [that the store opened]Half of the crew came out because it was chaos, “Bajwa said.” Too many people appeared because I announced too much, and concentrated more on advertising than to train people to make pizzas … Then I learned how important it is to be ready before. [opening]”
Then, within six months after the opening of the first location, Bajwa saw that the store’s revenues were ahead of the forecasts, so it quickly opened some more locations.
“After two stores, I thought, no problem. We open three more immediately after that, and guess what, I didn’t have [the best people] around me and [then we] He began to fight, “he said. Then, he and his team had to step back and take it for a while before trying to expand again.
“There was a time when we grew too fast and hit the bomb. [In] 2008, [during the] Economic average … Those were difficult times, “he added. Finally, Bajwa said, he is grateful for these first failures because they taught him everything he knows today.
I never dreamed of this growth … So, it all started with the delivery pizza. Can you believe that?
Nadeem Bajwa
Co -founder and CEO, Bajco Group
Throughout his trip, Bajwa said, he learned the importance of self -reflection. “You have to be humble, because the day you start to think that you have everything, I think your fall will begin.”
In 2024, Basco Group signed an agreement with Pope Johns International to develop 50 new restaurants by 2028. Bajwa said his goal is to reach 500 restaurants locations. With the growth of his Papa Johns portfolio over the years, Bajwa has also built adjacent businesses.
“We have developed a call center, a construction arm, a high seas accounting configuration and a technology arm to bring [efficiencies] To our Papa Johns portfolio, which has now become separate businesses and serves multiple customers inside and outside the Papa Johns brand, “he said.
“I never dreamed of this growth. [I just focused on] doing my best … and learning from my mistakes … and the rest has just arrived, “Bajwa said.” So it all started with the delivery pizza. Can you believe that? “
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