1851

IHOP franchisee <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adenah-bayoh-b7285919/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adenah Bayoh</a> has a compelling life story. She came to the United States as a 13-year-old, escaping the civil war in Liberia … but, let’s just skip ahead to the happy ending.&nbsp;Today, Bayoh is a powerhouse New Jersey entrepreneur, with four <a href="https://www.ihop.com/en/about-ihop/franchise-opportunities/usa/investment-costs?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">IHOP</a> restaurants in her portfolio. In 2017, she opened her own brand, <a href="https://cornbreadsoul.com/franchise-opportunity/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cornbread</a>, a soul food quick service franchise that she co-founded with Zadie B. Smith in Maplewood, New Jersey. Earlier this year, Cornbread <a href="https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/soul-food-restaurant-announces-5m-venture-capital-investment/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">announced a $5 million investment</a> from two venture capital firms with the goal of going national.&nbsp;Despite a unique biography, Bayoh said that if you’re interested in growing into a multi-franchise operator like her, only one story matters: The one that your numbers are telling you.“Numbers talk,” she said. ”If you want to scale, know the numbers. Understand your numbers, know what they’re saying to you. I'm a fundamental believer that numbers tell you a story.”To understand that story, however, Bayoh advises franchisees to surround themselves with experts to help them interpret what data shows them with regard to their operations.&nbsp;“There are two hires that you need to do when you first get into this business,” she advised. “First, you need to get yourself an attorney. The second hire, once you get your business open, [is] an amazing accountant. Eventually, get yourself a CFO. Those are the most important hires.”The ironic part of all hard-nosed data focus? Bayoh runs her businesses with a larger purpose: helping people. “I'm doing it for the people who walk through my doors. I'm doing it for my community,” she said. “I'm doing it for every young black girl who looks out into her community — I want her to see me. I want her to know I'm an example. Because you cannot be what you cannot see.”But here is her most important advice for success: Have fun. “Enjoy the business you’re in,” she said, employing the old chestnut for workers everywhere: “When you're having fun and you're doing what you love to do, you never have to work a day in your life.”Watch the full interview above, or <a href="https://youtu.be/09BYJ-AfHRw?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread-2715925" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here to watch it on YouTube</a>.&nbsp;

How to Succeed as a Multi-Unit Franchisee: Adenah Bayoh, IHOP and Cornbread

1851 Franchise

https://www.youtube.com/embed/09BYJ-AfHRw

With four IHOP locations — as well as her own franchise restaurant brand — this successful New Jersey entrepreneur is ready to change the world one meal at a time. 

how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-adenah-bayoh-ihop-and-cornbread

Dillas Quesadillas

Design with photo of Michael Mabry and Dillas Primo Quesadillas logo

Franchise Times: New Franchise Exec Says Dillas Is Bringing ‘Excitement’ Back to QSR Category

michael-mabry-franchise-growth

Lawn Squad

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad 

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad as a Treatment-Only Lawn Care Franchise

lawn-squad-franchise-opportunity

Jollibee

How Jollibee’s Veteran Leadership Team Is Rewriting the Playbook for U.S. Expansion

franchise-leadership-growth

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of guest checking in at Woodhouse Spas reception desk

franchise-questions-answered

Mellow Mushroom

How Mellow Mushroom’s Model Made it the Perfect Addition to Brad Harper’s Restaurant Portfolio

How Mellow Mushroom’s Flexible Model Made it the Perfect Addition to Brad Harper’s Growing Restaurant Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-brad-harper-restaurant-growth

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

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

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

How to Succeed as a Multi-Unit Franchisee: Adenah Bayoh, IHOP and Cornbread

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS