Its founder Build My Burgers, Ali Lalani, always knew that a typical office job was not for him as he wanted something more risky and unpredictable. The 38-year-old has worked in the restaurant industry for the past 16 years, spending most of his time as an employee, until he opened his own business in Orlando, Florida in 2021.
The burger is an attraction for many foodies and Lalani enables approx 400 customers daily to watch their meals being prepared up close, as a more personal experience than the typical chain process fast food. In its first year of operation, Build My Burgers brought in $584,000 (about €550,000) in revenue, according to documents obtained by CNBC Make It. Last year, turnover rose to $739,000 (almost 700,000 euros)!
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Very few went… according to the plan according to the CEO from Pakistan, as the “road» was full of twists and turns. “We love burgers. My wife and I are big foodies,” emphasizes the businessman, who initially wanted to open franchise of a large company, but eventually moved on to his own venture.
The 2018the couple fell head over heels in work. They designed the logo and interior of the restaurant, while he signed the lease for a property in 2019 and construction began immediately. His restaurant was on track to open its doors next year. However, when the coronavirusLalani and his family made a tough decision: All three of them—including their baby—would live off his wife’s salary from her job.
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“I was just staying at home, living off my wife’s wages and just trying to pay all the bills we could to survive” he emphasizes, while things became difficult when o budget of for the launch of Build My Burgers by $200,000 (€188,000) doubled to $400,000 (€375,000), after construction costs to cost more than expected, while the debts of from the loans who took they were ejected in unfathomable heights, even coming close to cancel all his shots as he felt he had faint.
Alongside, he mourned the loss of his father, who passed away in December 2019. As the responsibilities piled up, he used his father’s memories and his enthusiasm to keep going. “The unpleasant experience pushed me to do more. It was really hard. But, one thing about me is that I am very strongly motivated. I am very positive. I had a vision. I had a goal. I wanted to do whatever it takes to succeed,” he emphasizes.
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Build My Burgers did not never a grand opening, while you have offers from discounted meals for students or police officers to free drinks for drivers. “We want to make sure we take care of the people who take care of us,” he points out, noting that such initiatives help build a loyal customer base.
In 2022, his wife became a co-owner and joined Build My Burgers on a part-time basis, taking over marketing and bookkeeping of the restaurant. Lalani still works 50 hours a week for the restaurant, and has now invested heavily in social media. “It amazes me how food makes people so happy. And it’s wonderful, because it all started as a dream and now I’m living it” he finally says.
