1851

IHOP franchisee <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adenah-bayoh-b7285919/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adenah Bayoh</a> has a compelling life story. She came to the United States as a 13-year-old, escaping the civil war in Liberia … but, let’s just skip ahead to the happy ending.&nbsp;Today, Bayoh is a powerhouse New Jersey entrepreneur, with four <a href="https://www.ihop.com/en/about-ihop/franchise-opportunities/usa/investment-costs?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">IHOP</a> restaurants in her portfolio. In 2017, she opened her own brand, <a href="https://cornbreadsoul.com/franchise-opportunity/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cornbread</a>, a soul food quick service franchise that she co-founded with Zadie B. Smith in Maplewood, New Jersey. Earlier this year, Cornbread <a href="https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/soul-food-restaurant-announces-5m-venture-capital-investment/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">announced a $5 million investment</a> from two venture capital firms with the goal of going national.&nbsp;Despite a unique biography, Bayoh said that if you’re interested in growing into a multi-franchise operator like her, only one story matters: The one that your numbers are telling you.“Numbers talk,” she said. ”If you want to scale, know the numbers. Understand your numbers, know what they’re saying to you. I'm a fundamental believer that numbers tell you a story.”To understand that story, however, Bayoh advises franchisees to surround themselves with experts to help them interpret what data shows them with regard to their operations.&nbsp;“There are two hires that you need to do when you first get into this business,” she advised. “First, you need to get yourself an attorney. The second hire, once you get your business open, [is] an amazing accountant. Eventually, get yourself a CFO. Those are the most important hires.”The ironic part of all hard-nosed data focus? Bayoh runs her businesses with a larger purpose: helping people. “I'm doing it for the people who walk through my doors. I'm doing it for my community,” she said. “I'm doing it for every young black girl who looks out into her community — I want her to see me. I want her to know I'm an example. Because you cannot be what you cannot see.”But here is her most important advice for success: Have fun. “Enjoy the business you’re in,” she said, employing the old chestnut for workers everywhere: “When you're having fun and you're doing what you love to do, you never have to work a day in your life.”Watch the full interview above, or <a href="https://youtu.be/09BYJ-AfHRw?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here to watch it on YouTube</a>.&nbsp;

How to Succeed as a Multi-Unit Franchisee: Adenah Bayoh, IHOP and Cornbread

1851 Franchise

With four IHOP locations — as well as her own franchise restaurant brand — this successful New Jersey entrepreneur is ready to change the world one meal at a time. 

how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

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

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Juan & Whitney Fernandez & family, BIGGBY COFFEE logo

From Chiropractic to Coffee: These BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchisees Are Brewing Something New in Troy, Ohio 

biggby-coffee-franchise-coming-to-troy-ohio

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Raj Pingili and Paris Baguette logo

How a Family Vacation Inspired Raj Pingili to Bring Paris Baguette to Towson, Maryland

how-a-family-vacation-inspired-raj-pingili-to-bring-paris-baguette-to-towson-maryland

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Sean Phelan & Caring Transitions logo

From Tech to Transitions: Why This Caring Transitions Franchisee Left the Corporate World To Help Families Navigate Life’s Hardest Moves

How to Succeed as a Multi-Unit Franchisee: Adenah Bayoh, IHOP and Cornbread

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS