1851

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>To truly be successful as an entrepreneur, one must understand the ins and outs of the industry. For the visionary behind two of the most unique franchise brands in the U.S., that insight began in the dish room of a Columbus, Ohio, steak house.</p><div>Antonio Swad, the creator of <a href="http://pizzapatron.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-antonio-swad-doubled-down-on-franchise-concepts-2809" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pizza Patr&#243;n</a> and <a href="http://www.wingstop.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-antonio-swad-doubled-down-on-franchise-concepts-2809" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wingstop</a>, discovered his passion for the restaurant industry as a 15-year-old dishwasher for a family-style restaurant. Dedicated to becoming an expert at his craft, Swad learned each job at the establishment, gaining insight into how the industry works.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>By the time he was 21 years old, he had become the establishment&#8217;s general manager.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Swed would hold a number of different jobs in the restaurant industry in the coming years. However, he was inspired to pursue the American dream in Dallas, Texas.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>There, the Italian-Lebanese businessman had an unprecedented vision: create the go-to pizza place for the Hispanic community. In 1986, his ambition to be a business owner led him to opening Pizza Patr&#243;n.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;We basically took a product that was widely consumed and brought it to the Hispanic markets,&#8221; Swad told the <a href="http://www.foodchannel.com/articles/article/profile-antonio-swad/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-antonio-swad-doubled-down-on-franchise-concepts-2809" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FoodChannel</a>.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Swad had created a niche concept in a wildly popular industry. Backed by a philosophy focused on fresh dough, low prices and its trademark &#8220;friendly, bicultural service,&#8221; demand for the product grew. After opening four additional locations within the first eight years, he decided to parlay his success into a new, untapped market&#8212;chicken wings.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In 1994, Swad opened Wingstop in Garland, Texas. Consumers salivated over the concept that prides itself on flavor, so the next natural step was to open additional locations. The first franchise location opened in 1997 in Highland Village, Texas.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Wingstop grew to 88 restaurants and generated $35 million in sales after five short years. However, Swad chose to sell Wingstop in 2003 to focus on growing Pizza Patr&#243;n through franchising opportunities.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In a statement published on <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/18/idUSnMKWfqN1Va+1ca+MKW20150618?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-antonio-swad-doubled-down-on-franchise-concepts-2809#SrlsPD96BseEfWBe.97" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Reuters</a>, Swad said he is thrilled to see the brand&#8217;s continued success.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>"When I sold the company, it was already around 100 units open with a bunch under construction,&#8221; Swad said. &#8220;It was a fully developed brand with great food and a silky smooth operating system&#8212;still is. I can see many parallels between where we were with Wingstop then, and where we are with Pizza Patr&#243;n now. Both brands are unique, and both still have a ton of headroom to grow."</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>His decision has paid dividends.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Through a number of successful initiatives&#8212;such as developing dine-in and drive-through units, creating a presence in airports and shopping malls, and launching the controversial Pizza por Pesos campaign&#8212;the brand was able to reach new consumers it previously had not targeted.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Pizza Patr&#243;n now stands at more than 90 restaurants in six states, with additional units currently in development. It also set all-time sales records in 46 percent of its stores during the first three quarters of 2015, following a successful 2014.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Pizza Patr&#243;n announced in October 2015 that it had officially sold fifty million pizzas, or as the brand stated, &#8220;&#8230;enough to feed a slice to every man, woman and child in Mexico and the United States combined.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>With Latinos representing the fastest growing demographic in the U.S., the future never looked brighter for the Hispanic-focused pizza brand as it continues to identify new target markets throughout the country.</div><p>&nbsp;</p>

1851 Franchise

The restaurant veteran found success developing unique and untapped concepts.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

How Antonio Swad Doubled Down on Franchise Concepts

how-antonio-swad-doubled-down-on-franchise-concepts

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

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

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

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

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Photo of a large group of people standing in a circle, placing hands together in center

Franchise Opportunities for Minorities: Expanding the Franchise Network

franchise-opportunities-for-minorities

Amanda Evans - Stellar Service Brands - Franchise Marketing Leaders 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Amanda Evans — Senior Vice President of Marketing, Stellar Service Brands

stellar-service-brands-marketing-leader-amanda-evans

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

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 photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

How Antonio Swad Doubled Down on Franchise Concepts

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS