Amol Kohli began his journey in 2003 as a waiter at a Friendly’s in the Philadelphia area. At that time, he was a high school sophomore looking to earn extra money.

He earned about $5 per hour and performed multiple tasks, including cooking, washing dishes, and bussing tables. Kohli’s responsibilities were not limited to waiting tables; he did whatever his manager asked. Two decades later, he has come full circle. On July 22, his investment group, Legacy Brands, announced it had acquired Friendly’s, its parent company Brix Holdings, and several other restaurant brands.

While pursuing finance and marketing studies at Drexel University, Kohli worked at Friendly’s during summers. He was more than just an employee, learning about the business’s operations. Kohli says he gained experience in payroll, food costs, and insurance. This hands-on learning played an important role in shaping his career.

After graduating in 2011, he decided to remain in the restaurant industry rather than follow a traditional finance career. His dedication led him to become a regional manager. Eventually, he invested in his first Friendly’s franchise, with support from friends and business partners. From there, his franchising career expanded, and he came to own 31 Friendly’s locations.

Kohli’s journey to owning Friendly’s faced challenges. The pandemic affected the chain, forcing it to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. Brix Holdings later acquired the brand, but Kohli remained determined. In May 2023, he formed Legacy Brands International and acquired Brix Holdings through a mix of equity and debt financing, a result of years of planning.

Today, Kohli owns over 250 restaurants, including brands like Clean Juice and Red Mango. He aims to modernise the restaurants using technology and attract new franchisees. Kohli also wants to demonstrate that the food service industry can be a serious career, not just a temporary job. Many of his executives started at entry-level positions, and Kohli’s own rise from waiter to owner serves as proof that anyone can grow in this industry.

You might also be interested in: Advocate throws shoe at CJI Gavai in Supreme Court over Lord Vishnu remarks