Military Veterans Who Entered Franchising: Tony Adams, Daddy's Chicken Shack

Veteran: Tony Adams

Franchise: Daddy's Chicken Shack

After the 2007 market crash, 25-year-old Tony Adams realized it was time to leave the mortgage industry. So, he decided to follow another passion — he joined the Army as an Infantry Team Leader and Combat Medic. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 before leaving the service two years later. That military experience has provided him with a unique skill set that has been instrumental in his franchising success. After his service, Adams pursued higher education and eventually teamed up with experienced franchisors, including executives from RE/MAX, to build Daddy's Chicken Shack. 

Today, as president of Daddy's Chicken Shack, Adams works hard to ensure the brand stands out as a prime franchise opportunity for veteran entrepreneurs, bringing his story full circle. “I think franchising is a great fit for veterans overall,” he said. “We're very systems-oriented people, and franchising lays out a system for how to operate a business. That's very much how veterans are wired. If you can follow a system and a process, you can really run with it.” 

1851 Franchise recently spoke with Adams to learn more about his military background, how leveraging technology has enhanced the brand's operations and customer experience, his advice for veterans transitioning to franchising and more.

1851 Franchise: Tell me a little bit about your background. What was your military background, and what was your career trajectory before franchising?

Tony Adams: I joined the military a little bit late in life. I joined when I was 25. Before that, I worked in the mortgage industry and owned a mortgage company. When the mortgage meltdown hit in 2007, I got faced with 50 emails in one day saying, “Hey, we are no longer accepting wholesale loans,” which pretty much ruined my business. But I had always wanted to join the Army, so at age 25, I did. I went into a Combat Arms role and ended up deploying to Afghanistan in 2009. I got out in 2011. Throughout all of that, I had never received a formal education. 

The military gave me the opportunity to go to college. I got my undergraduate degree from the University of Denver. While I was there, I started a hair salon business with my ex-wife. Later on, after my undergrad, I got my Executive MBA. Through that process, I teamed up with an executive from my MBA class who was with RE/MAX World Headquarters, one of the top 10 franchisors in the world. I got invited to work there and I headed up a couple of divisions. That was my entry into franchising, and I've been with that team ever since. Daddy's Chicken Shack is owned by Area 15 Ventures, and I'm an employee of theirs. We specialize in franchising, with the founder of RE/MAX, as well as several executives and board members, also involved. It's been a wild ride.

1851: How do you feel your time in the military prepared you for success in the franchising world? Do you think there are any skill sets or experiences that lend themselves to both worlds?

Adams: Absolutely. Other than being very mission-oriented, military folks love to get things done. When there are obstacles or barriers in front of us, we get gritty. We have no problem doing hard work and seeing things through. We do whatever it takes to get things done. For franchising, that's a beautiful parallel, especially when hiring veterans onto corporate staff or even veteran franchisees. We don't let obstacles defeat us. We're very mission-oriented and passionate about getting things done and seeing things through.

1851: What would you say your favorite thing is about the Daddy's Chicken Shack brand? What do you think makes it stand out as a franchise opportunity for military veterans or any entrepreneurs?

Adams: Area 15 Ventures and Daddy's Chicken Shack are both veteran-owned and operated. I'm an Army combat vet, and Dave Liniger, who is the chairman of the brand, is a combat Air Force veteran and a Vietnam veteran. We love our vets. For franchising in particular, we offer a great deal: any interested veteran wanting to open a Daddy's Chicken Shack franchise receives a 50% discount on their franchise fee.

1851: Looking at your franchise journey so far, what are you most proud of in general?

Adams: I would say there are a number of things, but one of the key ones is how we've implemented and evolved technology to make the experience better for everyone. Technology will never eat a sandwich for you, but it can make it a lot easier to order, remind people about specials and help our staff make their jobs easier. The way we've leveraged technology in our brand and company is second to none.

1851: Do you have any advice for other military veterans who may be getting out of service and considering transitioning to franchising? Anything you wish you knew when you were first starting that you know now?

Adams: Definitely don't limit your learning. In business, it's fantastic to learn as much about every area as possible. In franchising, I have meetings with accounting, marketing, technology, operations, food distribution — the whole nine yards. Having a good understanding of every area of business is critical. Whether you're pursuing a degree right out of the military or trying to go into franchising, having as much knowledge about every area of business as possible is a big asset.

1851: That's great advice. Is there anything else you want to share about your story or about veterans in franchising?

Adams: I think franchising is a great fit for veterans overall. We're very systems-oriented people, and franchising lays out a system for how to operate a business. That's very much how veterans are wired. If you can follow a system and a process, you can really run with it. 

Watch the full interview here. 

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