Culinary Couple Dive into Teriyaki Madness Franchise in DFW Market

Saurin and Reena Patel are the newest franchisees of Teriyaki Madness in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, bringing with them a rich tapestry of professional experience and personal passion. Saurin, with a 20-year background in manufacturing and medical devices, has always harbored a love for cooking. Reena, on the other hand, has spent over 15 years in the accounting and finance sector, but is eager to support her husband and family in this new entrepreneurial journey.

Following successful tenures in corporate America, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Patels to reexamine what was most important to them. They decided to explore the franchising route, particularly in the restaurant industry, aligning with Saurin’s passion for international cuisine. After finding Teriyaki Madness, the Seattle-style teriyaki franchise, the Patels knew they were on to something special. The menu was unique and the quality was consistent across the board. Eager to dive into something new and introduce a fresh concept to the community of DFW, the Patels took the leap and signed on with the brand earlier this year.

Looking ahead, the Patels have a clear vision for their Teriyaki Madness journey. They aim to eventually branch out across Dallas, leveraging the robust support and scalable model of the TMAD brand to achieve their family’s entrepreneurial goals. 

1851 Franchise recently spoke with the Patels to learn more about their backgrounds, the path that led them to TMAD and any advice they have for others just getting started.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Saurin: I was in manufacturing and medical devices for 20 years. But we always wanted to start our own business. When the pandemic hit, we began really exploring our options. I wanted to invest in something that I could enjoy every day and cooking is my true passion. That brought us to the restaurant industry. 

Reena: I have worked in the accounting and finance space for over 15 years now. I will also be joining the TMAD project but will be continuing with my previous role. I want to support my husband’s passion. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Reena: As a first-time restaurant owner, we looked at how much support we needed, and we felt like a franchise would give that to us. Any questions that we have, TMAD is there to answer, and they are always getting back to us quickly. I have never seen any other franchisor provide that level of support. It made us much more comfortable.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Saurin: We talked with so many franchise brands over the past two years. Most of them wanted us to start too big — they weren’t supporting our desire to open just one unit for now, especially in a major market like DFW. They wanted us to sign on with multiple locations right away. TMAD was different. No matter what we wanted, they were always there to support us. That is when I started feeling good about the concept. 

In April, we met with the TMAD team. They gave all the right answers. We drove to Colorado, Houston and San Antonio just to get a feel of the stores. We went to four or five different locations and we found consistency in both the quality and the taste. That isn’t always the case with franchises. 

It is a small menu, but it is very diverse and delicious due to the “mix and match” quality of the bowls. That customization is very important. There are only a couple of main ingredients, but they can equal a lot of different combinations. I can eat TMAD pretty much every day without getting bored of it. If I could eat it every day, I could sell it every day.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Saurin: We are going to start small but hopefully spread out to other cities. Dallas is a very big market. As I can get more and more support from the franchisor, we will be able to have more consistency from the staff and grow from there. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Saurin: I am leaving my corporate job — it is going to be a big transition for me. We are going to work together as a family. I am also a big lover of travel — whenever I visit somewhere new I make sure to taste the local foods. That passion is going to have to go on pause for me right now as I set up my business and bring this unique offering to other people. In the future, I want to experience more countries, more cultures and more food. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Reena: Go with what you like. If you put everything into it, you will be successful. It can be scary, but there is no looking back. Follow your passion. 

The initial investment required to open a Teriyaki Madness franchise ranges from $312,500 and $731,260. Learn more here: https://franchise.teriyakimadness.com/

ABOUT TERIYAKI MADNESS

Teriyaki Madness is making big moves. Named the #1 Fastest-Growing Big Restaurant Chain in the U.S. by Restaurant Business, TMAD’s secret sauce lies in creating value for franchisees, guests and employees alike. More than 130 shops across three countries deliver big, heaping bowls of fresh, natural ingredients to their communities, creating a cult-like following with customers, employment opportunities for neighborhoods and profitable margins for the operators. Backed by world-class delivery and loyalty innovations and an all-star executive team, Teriyaki Madness’ focus is on sustainable growth and exceptional experiences. Visit franchise.teriyakimadness.com for single- and multi-unit opportunities, and join the Teriyaki Takeover.