1851

What makes someone a successful entrepreneur?&nbsp;Yes, making a profit is part of it. And for franchisees, the number of locations you own may be part of it as well. But earnings and unit numbers don’t represent the whole story, according to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/salemnajjar/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-salem-najjar-tropical-smoothie-cafe-2715934" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Salem Najjar</a>, who at the age of 31, owns nine <a href="https://www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-salem-najjar-tropical-smoothie-cafe-2715934" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tropical Smoothie Cafe</a> locations in the Upper Midwest.&nbsp;When asked what success means to him, Najjar says it really depends on what you mean by success. “If you polled 100 people, I’m of the impression that you get 100 different answers.” In his own view, Najjar says, success means building a strong team: “The first way that I measure success is the attitude of my employees. If they’re motivated, positive, and, most importantly, if they're reporting to me that they feel successful, then I feel successful.”There are also customers to consider, of course. “If they feel happy, we will hear it come through in their feedback,” Najjar said. “And there will be a direct correlation with our sales growth, and that will make me feel successful.”&nbsp;But Najjar says the main thing that drives his success, ironically, is that he doesn’t really see success as an endpoint, but as an activity and an outlook. “I'm not necessarily looking to achieve success, because I don't see it as something to be achieved or as an end goal,” he said. “I always want to learn more, grow more and outperform more. I feel like that is what fuels my tenacity.”In other words, it’s about the journey, not the destination.&nbsp;But this is no solo journey for Najjar. “I believe that your people are your most valuable asset, more important than the equipment that you buy, or [your] location,” he said. At the end of the day, if you've got strong people and a strong team, they will be the catalysts that fuel your growth, so you have to invest in them like an asset.”Najjar says his own philosophical outlook on business surprises him. A CPA, he says he usually approaches the word very analytically. So when he was preparing to jump into the franchise world, he bore into dozens of FDDs, taking a deep dive into the numbers.&nbsp;But then sometimes there are other factors to consider in addition to good numbers.&nbsp;In 2015, when Najjar met the CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe and the executive team, something clicked.“I could just really feel a sense of belonging,” he recalled.&nbsp; “I could feel that it was a brand that I could really grow with and create a strong portfolio with. It really just came down to a gut feeling for me.”So his best advice for investing in one or 100 units is to study all the data, crunch all the numbers, and then take a step back, and do a gut check. “Take into consideration how you feel about that brand,” he says. “You don’t want to be investing in something that you are not personally on board with.”&nbsp;Watch the full interview above, or <a href="https://youtu.be/Gvr2IQMNyLE?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-salem-najjar-tropical-smoothie-cafe-2715934" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here to watch it on YouTube</a>.

How to Succeed as a Multi-Unit Franchisee: Salem Najjar, Tropical Smoothie Cafe

1851 Franchise

With nine locations in his portfolio, this young, Detroit-area franchise owner says your success isn’t only measured in numbers. 

how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-salem-najjar-tropical-smoothie-cafe

Fresh Coat

photo of Fresh Coat team member wearing white work clothes, painting a wall red

Fresh Coat Painters of Vernon Hills Gives The Den a Fresh Look Through Fresh Coat Cares Initiative

fresh-coat-painters-of-vernon-hills-gives-the-den-a-fresh-look-through-fresh-coat-cares-initiative

Lindora

photo of Lindora professional referencing information booklet

What Makes Lindora Different: Medically Guided Approach to Wellness

what-makes-lindora-different-medically-guided-weight-loss

BIGGBY COFFEE

photo of BIGGBY COFFEE frozen, iced and hot beverages, and multiple bakery items, on a table

Celebrating 30 Years of BIGGBY® COFFEE: A Legacy of Growth and a Bright Future

celebrating-30-years-of-biggby-coffee-a-legacy-of-growth-and-a-bright-future

Woodhouse Spas

photo of Woodhouse Spas franchisee Kimberly Powell smiling at the camera, wearing a light blue shirt

From Spa Guest to Multi-Unit Owner: Kimberly Powell’s Journey With Woodhouse Spas

woodhouse-spas-franchise-success-kimberly-powell

Biscuit Belly Franchising

QSR Uncut: Biscuit Belly Founder Shares How He Built a Next-Gen Casual Breakfast Brand

biscuit-belly-founder-next-gen-breakfast-franchise

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 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

Ellie Mental Health Franchisee Backlash - Alleged Misrepresentations - 1851 Franchise

Ellie Mental Health Faces Franchisee Backlash Over Alleged Misrepresentations

ellie-mental-health-franchisee-backlash

Tariff Tensions Threaten U.S. Restaurants with Rising Costs and Supply Chain Disruptions

tariff-tensions-threaten-us-restaurants-with-rising-costs-and-supply-chain-disruptions

Roof Scientist Launches Franchise Opportunity, Revolutionizing Roof Preservation with Innovative Technology

roof-scientist-launches-franchise-opportunity-revolutionizing-roof-preservation-with-innovative-technology

Restaurant Business: How McDonald's Is Restructuring To Compete With Specialized Chains

restaurant-business-how-mcdonalds-is-restructuring-to-compete-with-specialized-chains

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

Newlyweds Open Paris Baguette Franchise to Serve Up Fresh Baked Goods in Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania

Newlyweds Open Paris Baguette Franchise to Serve Up Fresh Baked Goods and Community Spirit in Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania

newlyweds-open-paris-baguette-franchise-to-serve-up-fresh-baked-goods-and-community-spirit-in-upper-dublin-pennsylvania

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

How to Succeed as a Multi-Unit Franchisee: Salem Najjar, Tropical Smoothie Cafe

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS