1851

<img src="/Uploads/Tony_Lutfi.jpg" width="312" height="311" alt="" />Tony Lutfi&#8217;s rise from <a href="http://www.jackinthebox.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=founder-to-know-tony-lutfi-marlu-investment-group-1229" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style=" ">Jack in the Box</a> cook to owner of MarLu Investment Group, one of the largest privately held companies in the U.S., reads like it belongs in a book titled The American Dream. This is especially true when you throw in the fact that Lutfi is a Palestinian-Jordanian immigrant, moving to America in 1976 with the intent to study medicine. Instead, Lutfi took on greater responsibility at the Jack in the Box franchise where he worked following the sudden heart attack of the store&#8217;s manager. He fell in love with the business and left school in the rear view mirror. Lutfi&#8217;s first foray into the franchise world as an owner was in the mid-90s, and the rest, as they say, is history. Those original two franchises have grown into 250, stretching across brands as varied as <a href="http://arbys.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=founder-to-know-tony-lutfi-marlu-investment-group-1229" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arby&#8217;s</a> and <a href="http://www.searsoutlet.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=founder-to-know-tony-lutfi-marlu-investment-group-1229" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sears Outlets &amp; Appliance Stores</a>. While Lutfi&#8217;s rise may seem like a storybook tale, it was far from easy. For instance, when he first took on a managerial role at Jack in the Box, Lutfi had to contend with suddenly becoming the boss of workers who outranked him age-wise. &#8220;At the time, I was young and I had several fellow employees who were older than me,&#8221; Lutfi said. &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t speak with authority. That&#8217;s always a challenge for young individuals growing into business.&#8221; Also, the fact that English was his second language meant Lutfi had to overcome certain communication barriers. However, Lutfi was determined to succeed. While it may be tempting to attribute his work ethic to being an immigrant with a burning desire to thrive in America, Lutfi is quick to avoid any clich&#233; explanations. &#8220;People who feel that they only have one chance to make something work for them, versus others who feel they have multiple chances in life&#8230;people who feel they only have limited chances at something work harder,&#8221; Lutfi said. &#8220;Whether it&#8217;s being a new immigrant, whether you come from a poor environment&#8230;the need to prove yourself and the need to overachieve exists with people who have never been [in an easier position].&#8221; Lutfi and the rest of the team at MarLu Investment Group are currently focused on growth, hoping to take advantage of a desirable lending environment while it lasts. However, finances come second to passion. When asked what advice he would offer to entrepreneurs looking to start their own business today, Lutfi was clear and sincere. &#8220;Be passionate about everything that you do in life, because ultimately you have to love what you do,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I think of sleep as a waste of time because I just can&#8217;t wait to get up and do the things I love to do. I don&#8217;t love it for the financial reasons, I love it because I am in the business of mentoring and helping others.&#8221; Lutfi also highlighted the importance of businesses having some kind of governing framework to adhere to. &#8220;Every company has to have some guiding principles and values they live with and abide by,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Establish those very early. Once you know them, the odds of making bad decisions are much lower.&#8221;<div>&nbsp;</div>

1851 Franchise

From fry cook to founder, Tony Lutfi has always been concerned with passion.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Founder to Know: Tony Lutfi, MarLu Investment Group

founder-to-know-tony-lutfi-marlu-investment-group

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite Franchise - DTE - National Service Dog Month - 1851 Franchise

Celebrating Service Dogs: Why Proper Training Changes Lives — And How Dog Training Elite Is Leading the Way

dog-training-elite-national-service-dog-month

Senior Care Authority

How This Senior Care Authority Franchisee Turned Love for His Grandparents Into a Lifelong Calling

how-this-senior-care-authority-franchisee-turned-love-for-his-grandparents-into-a-lifelong-calling

Hometown News: Like Father, Like Son — Family-Run Inspection Business Blends Generations of Expertise and a Keen Eye for Detail

father-son-home-inspection-franchise-florida

KLA Schools

KLA Schools of Beachwalk Hosts Admissions Kick-Off Celebration

kla-schools-of-beachwalk-hosts-admissions-kick-off-celebration

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Mike Revak - Chief Business Officer - Sky Zone - Franchise Marketing Leaders - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Mike Revak — President and Chief Business Officer, Sky Zone

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-mike-revak-chief-business-officer-sky-zone

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Cathy Chavenet — Chief Marketing Officer, Paris Baguette

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-cathy-chavenet-chief-marketing-officer-paris-baguette

What It Really Feels Like To Franchise Your Business

what-it-really-feels-like-to-franchise-your-business

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Founder to Know: Tony Lutfi, MarLu Investment Group

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS