AA Group of Companies – shortlisted applicant for the 7th Annual IS Awards

“Immigrants bring fresh ideas and new ways of doing things. Their commitment and motivation level is high. They are passionate and willing to do more than is expected of them. They are hard-working and representative, and it’s important for business to have staff representing the community where they work.”  

By the numbers:

• Business model: franchise within franchise
• Industry: Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR)
• Workforce: 70% of employees are immigrants
• Net sales: $10.5M in 2012
  

 The AA Group of Companies was shortlisted for the RBC Immigrant Advantage Award for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

The AA Group of Companies’ philosophy is growth through people. Since it started operating in 2005 as a Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken franchise, the company has grown to 16 locations and intends to open 27 more by 2016. This growth is due almost entirely to the skills of immigrants, starting with the moving force behind the company, owner Atiq Ahmad.

“Immigrants bring fresh ideas and new ways of doing things,” says Ahmed, explaining the value of hiring skilled immigrants. “Their commitment and motivation level is high. They are passionate and willing to do more than is expected of them. They are hard-working and representative, and it’s important for business to have staff representing the community where they work.”

An internationally trained economist from Pakistan and a commodities trader for wheat in Dubai, Atiq arrived in Toronto in 2004 and opened his first franchise one year later. Now the winner of three worldwide Popeye’s awards, including “Leader of the Year”, Atiq focuses on ensuring that all around him are successful too. “I believe that my success is because of my people. I want to give them a chance to succeed.”

With 395 employees, the AA Group has become the largest and most successful Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken franchise in the GTA and Ontario. Their workforce includes qualified engineers, accountants and professors who have used their past experience to strengthen the company.

Skilled immigrants employed at AA Group have developed innovative, user friendly systems that are being held up as examples for other franchises to follow. As a result, Popeye’s selected AA Group of Companies to attend the Popeye’s Chicken international convention and present their work to over 1,000 franchise owners. Recognized for its business innovations, steady sales and profit growth and leadership, through its skilled immigrant workforce, AA Group has become a local and global exemplar of a successful franchise.