For Miami food entrepreneur Nizar Ahmed, nothing says “comfort food” like burgers and kebabs. As CEO of PINCHO restaurants, he serves up this unlikely combo to great acclaim in Miami and beyond.
Working with his family, the young entrepreneur has expanded from a single storefront, to nine successful locations in Florida in under a decade. He also has plans to expand his business expertise into clothing, opening his own line and store of simple fashion.
Ahmed’s business endeavors caught the attention of Forbes. They recently named the 27-year-old as a “30 Under 30” emerging business leader in the food industry. The annual awards recognize “a collection of bold risk-takers” – an apt description for how Ahmed risked it all to pursue his culinary dream.
Nizar Ahmed Finds Family Memories in Food
Ahmed’s affinity for the food industry began early. While growing up in Miami Lakes, he worked in his father’s local grocery stores. His American childhood took a quick pause after his parents decided to move back to the West Bank for a few years so that Ahmed could learn Arabic and experience his cultural heritage.
“Just seeing other cultures and the way other people live…that had a huge impact on my life,” he says. As a result, Ahmed developed a love for both burgers and kebabs. Both foods seemed like similar comfort foods, from different cultures.
After returning to the U.S. as a teenager, Ahmed dropped out of high school. He left school to help his father run his business of grocery stores around the Miami area. It was during those hours where he and his cousin entertained the idea of opening up their own storefront. There, the seeds of PINCHO (formerly Pincho Factory), were born.
Making a Risky Investment
After floating the idea among family members, Ahmed took a leap of faith. He committed to his idea for a comfort food franchise incorporating a range of cultural dishes. In 2010, he invested $20,000 of his life’s savings into creating the first Pincho Factory restaurant.
At the time he opened the restaurant with his cousins, Ahmed had only $6.27 left in his bank account. But the bet paid off.
The casual burger and kebab joint has expanded to 10 different locations across South Florida. While undergoing a minor name change (from Pincho Factory to PINCHO), the franchise is also planning to add more locations and expanding beyond Florida.
Nizar Ahmed Looks Beyond the Food Industry
PINCHO is not Ahmed’s only expanding industry. His next project is Clnrs, a luxury streetwear store located in Miami’s Design District.
“I’m still learning the whole fashion calendar and the seasons and how to rotate product,” he explains, “That’s something I wasn’t even thinking about when I was plotting this whole venture. I was thinking I just needed a lease, a register, and product.”
The goal of the store is to reflect “minimal, modern, clean, and spacious”, he says. In January, Ahmed was invited to attend Paris Fashion Week.
Try PINCHO’s monthly special, the Naughty Burger, at any of their locations here.
