Introducing Randy Hazelton, the 43-year-old CEO of H&H Hospitality, a black-owned enterprise that operates eateries and concessions in major airports around the United States. Having started from nothing and learned from his mistakes, he manages over twenty airport eateries, providing jobs for nearly one hundred employees. He owns many Auntie Anne’s and Shake Shack kiosks, and his business is expected to generate $50 million in sales this year.
He traveled a lot as a child, growing up in a military household until settling in Atlanta. He attributes his discipline to his father. However, Randy claimed he preferred playing basketball to studying in class as a teenager, so he frequently skipped schoolwork to play the sport.
He became aware of his negative behaviors as a youngster after venturing into business and experiencing hardship. He quit his job in 2006 to create the restaurant and bar Café Circa in Atlanta’s downtown. Even though the company prospered, its lack of efficiency ultimately resulted in bankruptcy. Randy concluded that their lack of knowledge about the restaurant industry was the cause.
Randy told Forbes, “We didn’t do the homework, so we didn’t know how to make money.” In 2012, he sold Café Circa and utilized the proceeds to launch his franchise business.
Hazelton established H&H Hospitality in 2007, and with the help of the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Act (ACDBE), a government initiative that promotes women- and minority-owned companies at airports receiving federal funding, the company has been flourishing.
He declared, “It changed my life.” He refers to the initiative as a “springboard” for smaller businesses looking to grow through restaurant franchising.
Freshens Yogurt and Famous Famiglia Pizzeria, located in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, one of the busiest in the world, is one of H&H’s locations. Additionally, they have partnered with Concessions International to open an Auntie Anne’s restaurant and Shake Shack on a different concourse. The business intends to build a Slutty Vegan restaurant next year. Pinky Cole is the owner of the well-known plant-based burger brand.
The company also has difficulties with fees, advertising, and staff management. Randy became a “homework nerd” and utilized a copy-and-paste method of what already works to get past them and succeed.
“Take what others have,” he advises. “Some of the greatest successes are just copycats of something already here.”
