Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue II, 2015 | Page 42

MULTI-BRAND 50
BY HELEN BOND

Life in the
Fast (Casual) Lane

At 30, steering the family business to the next level

H

arsh Ghai’s northern California-based multi-brand
business may be rooted in
food and family, but aggressive growth and smart development are
the cornerstones of the company’s success.
Ghai is spearheading the entry of Ghai
Management Services, operators of 64
Burger King and Taco Bell restaurants
in 4 states, into the fast casual lane. The
family-owned company recently opened
its first Corner Bakery Cafe in Sacramento
as part of an 8-store agreement.
When it comes to the food industry,
fast casual is the future, says Ghai, who
runs the business with his father Sunny
Ghai, who founded the company. “It is the
middle ground,” he says. “There are amazing brands out there. The Corner Bakerys,
Chipotles, and Paneras of the world are
coming out and blowing everybody out
of the water. It has made competition
a lot tougher. It is going to force quick
service to elevate itself, and it is going to
force casual dining to provide that quick
service feel that fast casual does.”
NAME: Harsh Ghai
TITLE: Owner/operator
COMPANY: Ghai Management

Services

NO. OF UNITS: 56 Burger Kings,
9 Taco Bells, 1 Corner Bakery
Cafe (agreement for 8)
AGE: 30
FAMILY: Wife, Gurbir. I got

married in December!

YEARS IN FRANCHISING:

Our family purchased our first
franchised restaurant in 1999.

YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 5

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