Starting as a delivery driver in 1992, Nadeem Bajwa’s journey with Papa Johns has proven to be the foundation of his remarkable career. As a Pakistani immigrant, who arrived in the United States just one year prior, Nadeem’s desire to run a business coupled with his steadfast work ethic ignited his professional path.
While Nadeem gradually progressed from driver to general manager to district manager, his appreciation for Papa Johns simple operations and business model never wavered. In fact, it was his belief in the tried-and-true model that empowered his continuous growth. Within a decade, Nadeem became the owner of 100 restaurants, but this was only the beginning.
“Papa Johns’ simple operations and business model inspired me to remain with the company and pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions,” Nadeem said. “I found the brand’s operations to be efficient and effective, making it easier for me to run my restaurants smoothly. The streamlined processes and the way the brand was built allowed me to focus on what really mattered—delivering quality pizza and exceptional customer experiences.”
Today, Nadeem is Papa Johns largest independently owned franchisee with 192 stores operating in 11 states. With a 15-store development deal in the works, Nadeem continues to identify opportunities to grow his business with the goal to own and operate 500 restaurants.
“The simplicity of the brand has made scaling the business more manageable,” Nadeem said. “As I expanded my ownership, I ensured that the same core values and operational efficiencies were maintained across all of my restaurants. Papa Johns’ business model provided a strong foundation for growth, and I recognized the potential to replicate its success in multiple locations.”
Throughout his journey as an entrepreneur, Nadeem discovered that his ambitions to grow his business were not only shared but also encouraged by the Papa Johns team. His strong relationship with the team enables him to stay aligned with the brand’s vision while benefiting from internal support and guidance. As an operator who firmly believes in the model, Nadeem has successfully scaled this business to new markets, benefitting from the brand’s recognition and solid reputation within the industry.
Nadeem credits his accomplishments not only to the valuable support and guidance from the Papa Johns team but also to his strategic decision to surround himself with highly intelligent individuals to foster a robust team. As his business expanded, Nadeem witnessed his team members embark on their own entrepreneurial journeys, guided by his support. By providing mentorship, guidance and encouragement, Nadeem has witnessed firsthand how his team members have blossomed into successful operators in their own right.
Former team members he trained are now the operators of multiple Papa Johns locations, with one individual operating 35 units and another overseeing 60 locations. This collaborative and nurturing approach not only creates a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie within his team but also fosters a culture of continuous professional development.
“In order to have longevity as a brand, it is crucial to think about your team’s growth just as much as you consider your own. The team at Papa Johns taught me the importance of this mindset in their treatment of me as I developed as an owner-operator, and I have been fortunate to apply this principle within my own business by mentoring and guiding my team members to forge their own paths.”
From an outsider’s perspective, Nadeem’s journey with Papa Johns over the past three decades may seem devoid of challenges, but he has encountered obstacles and skillfully navigated through an ever-changing economic climate. He credits his resilience to the strength of the brand and his experience as an operator. As Nadeem sets his sights on adding over 300 locations to his portfolio, he plans to maintain a business-as-usual approach and stick to the fundamentals.
Nadeem is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and serves as a reminder that with the right mindset, a strong team, and a passion for delivering outstanding results, remarkable success in the restaurant industry is within reach. With his eyes firmly set on the future, Nadeem is determined to leave a lasting legacy as a true Papa Johns franchise mogul.
“With the right team and a commitment to excellence, achieving extraordinary results in restaurant operations is incredibly realistic,” Nadeem said. “I am proud of the progress my team and I have made thus far, and I eagerly anticipate sustaining our long-term success.”
About Nadeem Bajwa: Nadeem Bajwa is a highly accomplished business leader with extensive experience in the restaurant and service industry. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Bajco Group, he has been instrumental in managing the group’s portfolio of 190+ Papa Johns restaurant. With a keen focus on corporate strategy, operational performance, marketing, and human resources, Nadeem has played a pivotal role in driving the group’s success.