Like a majority of immigrants Shahid Hashmi came to the United States possessing just a few hundred dollars. But he also had something else, which few immigrants had – a Masters’ in Business Administration
Yet, much of Pakistani American’s business knowledge – fortified with another MBA from the University of Illinois – remained theoretical as he had high-paid jobs for around two decades.
Then, one day in 1994, Hashmi bought a Popeyes in Washington D.C. with savings he and his wife, an IT expert, had made over the years. That decision proved to be a turning point for Hashmi as he honed his skills and learnt finer tricks of the trade to grow his Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Restaurant chain.
Since then, Hashmi’s entrepreneurial spirit has lifted him to the status of a franchise magnate – and the climax is yet to be.
“I think anybody can realize the American dream as long as they as they work intelligently. You don’t have to have too much capital to realize the American dream,” he told Views and News in an interview.
Today, Hashmi has 54 Popeyes locations, two Burger Kings, a gym in New York City and ZIPS dry cleaners.
“We are building five or six Popeyes every year and hopefully we will have 100 of them in the next few years,” says Hashmi, who came to the United States after studying at Institute of Business Administration in Karachi in 1971.
So what was the innovation that he introduced to the business that earned him a phenomenal success?
“The cuisine we cannot change because it is a franchise. What I did was I brought my own management technique. For example, I hired the staff, stopped theft or pilferage. I started a company to monitor my stores 24 hours a day to see if the employees are keeping the stores clean and treating the customers nicely.
“Our main source of revenue is our customers. We have to treat customers courteously. We have to serve well and have a nice environment.”
On what advice he has for young people to succeed in business, Hashmi says:
“Work for a few years, get some experience and try to break out, do some kind of business. You cannot be rich by working for someone else.”
Hashmi, who is Managing Partner at Pure Foods Management, believes despite the recent election season and political rhetoric, America continues to offer opportunities for all people including Muslims to grow and succeed.
“I think with all the things that (Donald) Trump is saying, he is saying to please his constituency. This country has checks and balances. So I don’t think (if elected) he is going to have a free hand.
“Even though, it has created a somewhat hostile environment, I think we will survive as long as we are smart.”
He explains that American Muslims need to take part in politics but also contribute to socio-economic development more substantially.
“I think we have some work to do in this country. We need to build schools and hospitals. For example, if we build a hundred mosques, nobody will recognize us, but if we build one good school or a hospital, it will be recognized.
“We are getting from this country and we need to give something back.”
Hashmi himself takes part in philanthropic projects in both the United States and Pakistan, and says he owes it to people to spread the benefits.
“I think it is my duty to do whatever I can to help our community (in Pakistan) as well as the community where I live, and make a living.”
In this respect, he had words of appreciation for Views and News, particularly its segment telling success stories.
“Views and News is a commendable work because it tells the world what we achieve.”
Thanks views and news for such an intelligent interview of Mr. Shahid Hashmi. He is an entrepreneur, a business owner and a highly educated person. His statement on building mosques reflects the Muslim community’s lack of interest in education and social work and community support in any field.