Scaling A Successful Restaurant Business Model | SAJJ Mediterranean (Lessons from Business Icons)

Starting and scaling a successful restaurant business model is not an easy task.
Especially in the past two years. Owning and operating a restaurant is a dream that has been put on hold for many, as restaurants had to halt indoor dining or even close their doors permanently.
As entrepreneurs, we have to adapt to the current landscape and embrace new trends to rise to the present challenge.
This week, I’m joined by my good friend Zaid Ayoub to discuss his experience building and growing his very successful restaurant, SAJJ Mediterranean.
From opening a single storefront in 2012 to managing a growing network of nine stores and two food trucks.
It’s an impressive feat, and they are just getting started!
If you've been dreaming of opening your own restaurant, this is a great opportunity to learn from an experienced entrepreneur.
Learn more about SAJJ Mediterranean here: www.sajjstreeteats.com
📱 Instagram (warning, it will make you hungry!) / sajjstreeteats
Special Offer: An investment in education is the best investment you can make. Join the Haroun MBA Degree Program®. For more details, please see: harouneducation.com/faq (30 day 100% money-back guarantee).
📱Connect with me on Instagram: / chrisharoun
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[@chris.haroun]

Zaid gives so much great advice in this interview! I'd love to know, was there something in particular that was helpful for you?

[@chris.haroun]

@Hang Ginny I'm glad you thought so, I spent a lot of time preparing, and I got some great questions from our MBA community looking for advice! That's such a good point, the mindset it takes to start a scale a business are very different, and to have the opportunity to chat with an experienced entrepreneur like Zaid is very valuable. Thanks for watching!

[@vladislavnemtsov9460]

What I enjoyed most - great extend of transparency from the speaker about the business, sharing latest trends with real examples and implications (ex: consolidated kitchens for easier delivery). Also good sharing insights about industry financials properties: fixed asset heavy or not,CapEx vs Opex, unit economics etc. Again thanks for the content!

[@Misrofilms]

@@vladislavnemtsov9460 Great feedback my friend.

[@josephademola6756]

Very educative. I got vital points. It was raw and direct! Thank you SAJJ

[@usamaaghabi]

Amazing Interveiw, Zaid is an excellent Entrepreneur, and Chris is an excellent mentor/ person....very informative and well put.... Cant wait to meet you Zaid and Chris

[@chris.haroun]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your kind words! Zaid is a fantastic entrepreneur and I feel very lucky to have his insights.

[@Misrofilms]

This is a very well done 1st interview and Zaid is amazing at articulation. He would be a great teacher Chris and you guys should collaborate more with our MBA degree program and Busines courses for hands on face to face training with him in the hospitality world time permitting of coarse. Like designing coarses with him for your coarses. Just an idea. Also I love how Zaid leverages his background in tech and investing for his passion for food. It does bring us together! Clearly he is a very humble and a kind person and this is the most inspiring for me.

[@chris.haroun]

Yes! I had such a great conversation with Zaid, and I'm glad you saw many of the same things I did. He has a passion for his business, an advanced entrepreneurial mind, and most importantly kindness and respect for his teammates above all else. I was very lucky to chat with him, and I'm excited to do more interviews like this in the future!

[@uzhmen8888]

I really appreciate your successful interview about gastronomic sector with Zain’s. We got a lot of tips thanks you mr. Haroun

[@jepoymirandz]

learned a lot coach chris! it gives a lot inputs in our food business.. thanks for this coach..

[@chris.haroun]

Great to hear you enjoyed it and found it useful! I hope to make more content like this in the future.

[@TheBerlyn186]

@Chris thank you for the interview it was great and thank you for asking the question. This interview was informative.

[@chris.haroun]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Zaid gave some amazing advice.

[@foodshortsmanas]

2 artists from 2 background under 1 roof. Dope

[@chris.haroun]

Thank you Manas!

[@Caraworking]

Thank you for this interview! It is very informative and mentoring for any one who own restaurant.

[@Sam-rf7cb]

Thanks Chris!

[@chris.haroun]

You're so welcome, I'm going to create more content like this in the future!

[@hishamriaz101]

Great interview Chris. Love Mediterranean cuisine, we want SAJJ here in Santa Barbara

[@chris.haroun]

Glad you enjoyed the interview, and you're right, Mediterranean food is delicious! I'll be sure to let Zaid know, I'm sure he would love to set up shop in Santa Barbara 😀

[@DieselandRPMs]

@Chris, very enjoyable conversation/interview with Zaid and great insight on the challenges and transformation the food industry sector is experiencing these days thru Zaid words. Those who adapt to change thrive, very true for Zaid. Totally understand his challenges coming from the food supply chain aspect of food shortages and higher delivery rates due to the pandemic and transportation challenges also, being myself in this sector. Love the success he is having which is not by luck but, due to a great organization structure and company culture; for sure is a RECIPE for more SUCCESS. It was a great personal experience to have his kitchen serve our graduation day food delights in Dec. 2021. Great and awesome content Chris! Saludos !

[@chris.haroun]

Many thanks Jose. My best to your family; so awesome having lunch with you all!

[@demianclarke]

An enriching interview. Thanks for sharing the vision and business model of a fast-food chain. The growing value thrives through its commitment to its customers and its team. Thank you for teaching us to believe that things can be done well. The experiences of others are an open book. Zaid Ayoub, I wish you the best, and thanks to Chris Haroun for an exceptional interview.

[@chris.haroun]

You are very welcome, it was our pleasure!

[@vladislavnemtsov9460]

It is a great format/series! A 30 min QnA chat breaking down real business with a founder. Side note: apart from business model interview, students/viewers may benefit from another type of format/content that compliment their experience Haroun Academy and helps in career - mock interview for case or behavioral interviews for ABC roles in XYZ industry.

[@chris.haroun]

I'm glad you liked the format, and thank you for the suggestions. I think business cases and mock interviews are great ideas!

[@harsh-k8365]

this is amazing

[@chris.haroun]

So glad you enjoyed it! I'm going to be conducting more interviews like this with successful entrepreneurs.

[@namphuc-3143]

Great review

[@chris.haroun]

So glad you liked it, we had a lot of fun with it!

[@gregclark8762]

Thanks for the educational interview! I enjoyed it

[@chris.haroun]

So glad to hear it!

[@Ken-ul6ll]

Hey Chris, in your opinion, does Saaj fit the description of a startup or is it more of a small business despite their efforts to scale?

[@rzlk6647]

Amazing interview, so great to learn more about the restaurant industry and what hard work truly goes into the places we eat at. Wishing Zaid exponential success and looking forward to seeing SAJJ in my city some day!!!

[@jepoymirandz]

learned a lot coach chris! it gives a lot inputs in our food business.. thanks for this coach..