Franchise Canada Chats and Renée Boudakian welcome Tahir Siddique, a multi-unit franchisee with Pizza Pizza who’s worked in the franchising industry for 25 years.
Tahir Siddique’s story begins in Pakistan, where he’s from. He got a bachelor’s in business and accounting and then started working for an accounting firm after finishing university. However, the hospitality industry called out to him, and he decided to answer.
At the time, there weren’t many opportunities in the hospitality industry in Pakistan. So, Tahir took the leap and moved to Canada in 2000, where he could fully pursue his passion for hospitality.
Once he had moved to Canada, he jumped into his dreams feet first. He enrolled at George Brown College for a two-year Hotel Management program, where he learned baking and pastry arts as well as chef’s training. While studying full time, he got a part-time job at Pizza Pizza as a cook, launching his relationship with the brand.
The more time Tahir spent with Pizza Pizza, the more he appreciated the brand and its systems. And although he got a job with a large hotel chain upon finishing school, he was continuously drawn to Pizza Pizza’s proven success as a franchised business.
Over eight years, Tahir worked his way through Pizza Pizza positions, from cook to manager to franchisee. In that time he worked with the brand and gained the capital he needed to invest in his own location.
As a franchisee, Tahir went on the build an impeccably strong business, open a second location, and has received several awards and certificates including the CFA’s bronze Franchisee of the Year award in 2020. As an owner, Tahir exemplifies the success that can cultivate when you build a strong team and make yourself a presence in your community (both geographical and franchise communities). He’s even gone on to become a franchisee training manager for Pizza Pizza.
On this week’s episode, Tahir shares both his story to small business ownership and the insights and lessons he’s learned in getting there. Tune in to hear more about how he’s created a history in the baking.
In this episode we’ll discuss:
- Gaining capital and obtaining loans
- Community-engagement as a key to success
- Building a solid team
- Tackling business challenges and learning from them
- And so much more!
