Multi-Unit Franchisee Insight – Formative Influences & Key Accomplishments

We talk to successful multi-unit operators regularly here at Franchise Update Media. These busy on-the-go people share great insight and wisdom with us through our profile stories in Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine. Here, from our archives, are some insightful responses from some of these franchisees.

What are some of the formative influences and events in your life?
Two key mentors in my life: John Shields, former CEO and chairman of Trader Joe’s; and Derek Kim, a senior officer of SK Group from South Korea. The event I love is the World Business Forum in New York.

Can you list some key accomplishments you’ve had?
Married the love of my life and have two awesome kids. Everything else is icing on the cake. Started and failed in many business startups. Learned a lot. Still learning. Went from broke, getting calls from credit card companies daily, and living on 99-cent burgers to starting and growing a company from zero to $200 million in 8 years. Came to the U.S. at the age of 14 (freshman in high school with very little English). I was able to get a great education and graduate from UCLA with a business/economics major. Donor and a board member of Pepperdine University.
 Doug Pak, multi-unit franchisee of Papa John’s and Hardee’s

What are some of the formative influences and events in your life?
Raul Ceide: This is a second career for both of us. Lisa (wife) is a culinary school graduate, has a B.A. in business administration, and has worked in insurance, real estate, and fine dining. I’m an engineering graduate and had worked as a general manager and chief operating officer of a manufacturing/engineering firm for 25 years before entering the restaurant field.

Can you list some key accomplishments you’ve had? Persevering through the downturn and job change of 10 years ago and building a new life and business career from the ground up in a completely different field and different city from where we had spent the last 30 years.
 Raul and Lisa Ceide, multi-unit franchisees of Jersey Mike’s Subs