1851

Zac Deem is clearly goal-driven. The 33-year-old entrepreneur crushed college by all accounts, earning an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master’s degree in accountancy shortly thereafter, and then topped it all off with a doctorate law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.&nbsp;After receiving his J.D., Deem went on to work for telecom companies in the Fortune 500 world, his main focus on financial planning. While working full-time, Deem was also studying for his CPA exam and became a certified public account in 2011. Despite his myriad career accomplishments, Deem’s life-long goal was always to own his own business.When Deem eventually decided it was time to go into business for himself, he knew <a href="https://franchising.hungryhowies.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-zac-deem-hungry-howies-franchise-owner-2711745" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hungry Howie’s</a> was how he was going to do it.&nbsp;Every time Deem visited Florida, he’d frequent the same Hungry Howie’s location. This coupled with his father’s minority stake in another Hungry Howie’s location in the state made Deem confident in the fact he was the right person to bring the brand to Arkansas. In February 2019, Deem became a Hungry Howie’s Pizza &amp; Subs franchise owner in Little Rock, Arkansas.&nbsp;1851 caught up with Deem to get the low-down on why he left the accounting world to pursue a career in the franchising industry—and why he went with Hungry Howie’s specifically. Deem also shared his advice for others in the industry and who he looks to for inspiration.&nbsp;1851: What initially drew you to franchising?&nbsp;Deem: I wanted to do something I was passionate about. At first, I was looking at starting my own brewery; however, I realized that wasn’t going to work out. So, I started looking at getting into something that had to do with my second passion—pizza. I did have some background in the pizza industry as I worked at a pizza place in college as an assistant manager. I also had a lot of experience in the corporate world, but none really in the culinary world, so that’s why I decided to go the franchising route. It provided me the flexibility of owning my own business, while also giving me a good head start from an operational and support standpoint that I could leverage.&nbsp;1851: Where do you see the most opportunity in franchising and why are you excited about the future of the industry?Deem: I think the opportunity in franchising is that it gives someone who may hold a diverse set of skills, but isn’t necessarily an expert in something they are passionate about, an opportunity to get into the business. And for someone who does have those skills, franchising gives them an affordable opportunity to get into the business, all while providing a proven method.&nbsp;The industry as a whole, I think, is pretty much how it always has been, meaning it gives people opportunities they may not have had otherwise. The franchising industry honestly helps people’s dreams come true. While it is an investment and a risk, you at least have a support system and a community to help you when needed.&nbsp;1851: What advice do you have for other young up-and-comers in the space?&nbsp;Deem: Don’t take it lightheartedly. I think some young people, and probably even myself included, think that because it’s a franchise, it’s going to be a little easier. However, that is not the case—you own your business and everything that comes with it. It’s up to you to get people through the door and to make those sales. If you’re afraid to put the work in, then franchising is not for you.&nbsp;1851: What advice would you give your younger self?&nbsp;Deem: I would say it kind of piggy-backs off of what I would tell other young franchisees. For me, it was eye-opening to actually see how much work goes into owning your own business. Each aspect is very time-consuming, especially if you want to be a multi-unit operator. I thought that once I got the first store up and running that I was going to be working on store No. 2. But, that was not the case—franchisees are much more involved than I originally expected.&nbsp;1851: Who is someone you look to for inspiration?Deem: I look to my dad. He is actually a minority partner in my Hungry Howie’s store. He was the only one in his family of five that went to college. He worked really hard to establish himself as a well-respected executive in the telecom industry. I draw a lot of leadership, inspiration and guidance from him.

Young Ones to Watch: Zac Deem, Hungry Howie’s Franchise Owner

1851 Franchise

Deem discusses the path in which led him from the corporate finance world to studying law and eventually becoming a franchisee with pizza franchise Hungry Howie’s. 

young-ones-to-watch-zac-deem-hungry-howies-franchise-owner

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Wraps Up Q1 With Two New Openings and Continued Industry Recognition

childrens-lighthouse-wraps-up-q1-with-two-new-openings-and-continued-industry-recognition

Happy Joe’s Franchising

Why Texas Is the Perfect State To Open a Happy Joe’s Franchise

why-texas-is-the-perfect-state-to-open-a-happy-joes-franchise

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

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

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

FAT Brands Becomes First Restaurant Franchise To Accept Bitcoin for Royalty Payments

fat-brands-becomes-first-restaurant-franchise-to-accept-bitcoin-for-royalty-payments

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

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

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

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

Young Ones to Watch: Zac Deem, Hungry Howie’s Franchise Owner

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS