An immigrant who started as a pizza delivery, paid with the minimum on the economy, now has over 270 restaurants in the US: “I never dreamed of such an increase”
Pizza delivery at home, photo: Shutterstock
In 1991, Nadeem Bajwa immigrated to the United States in Pakistan. While attending the university courses in the state of Indiana, he worked in several places, including as a pizza deliver for the Pope John's restaurant chain, where he earns $ 4.25 per hour, the minimum wage in the US at the time, reports the CNBC financial television.
Today, at 58, Bajwa has a true fast food empire. He is now one of the most important franchise partners in North America of Pope John's, with over 270 restaurants in only the United States.
He is also general manager of Bajco Group, a company he founded with his two brothers, and has a various business portfolio that includes construction, technology and accounting services.
The businessman says his path to success was not an easy one. After turning 20, he was the first of his family to move to the United States, where he faced many challenges on arrival.
“Coming to the US, in fact, that was my first flight. I had never flown before,” he told CNBC. “Just to get on the plane, it was a full flight, I was coming alone, [aveam] A lot of anxiety … but I was determined to succeed, “he said.
At first he didn't even speak English well
Bajwa admits that at first he felt a cultural shock in the US and had difficulty communicating because he did not speak English fluent at that time. “Sometimes, when you are far from family and you are alone … it was very, very difficult,” he said.
In order to cover his expenses with university studies, Bajwa has accepted several occasional jobs.
“In my first summer I worked three jobs: we was washing the dishes in the morning, then we deliver the pizza in the afternoon and, late at night, I was working at Taco Bell,” Bajwa told CNBC Make It.
“I lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I started making deliveries for Pope John's when they opened in the city, and from there I started to like it, and the tips were good, so he helped me,” he added.
The first restaurant open it with money from family and loans
Bajwa quickly advanced to Pope John's. Until he finished university studies in 1996, he had already passed by a delivery to the area manager. After graduation, he applied to some corporate stations, but says that no one offered him a salary at least equal to the one he had come to win at Pope John's.
For this reason, he decided to stay in the Pizza business and came to run more restaurants before becoming a franchiseed on his own. He opened his first restaurant in 2002, with family support and bank loans.
Since then, despite more mistakes and regresses, the growth has been almost constant. Last year, Bajco Group signed an agreement with Pope John's International to open 50 new restaurants by 2028. Bajwa said that its goal is to reach 500 locations.
“I have never dreamed of such an increase. [M-am concentrat doar pe] To do everything I can best and to learn from mistakes, and the rest came by itself, “he told CNBC.” So it all started with the pizza delivery. Do you believe? “He asked rhetorically.
