Rising Through the Ranks: What One Franchisee Learned Starting at the Bottom

When Amol Kohli took his first job at a restaurant in Philadelphia, he was 15 and had one in mind: work his way up to manager, so he could beef up his college applications. He set out to become indispensable, learning every position in the restaurant. Need a server? Kohli was there. Down a dishwasher? Kohli filled in. Short a took notice, and he earned that manager position, working until he departed for college. After graduation, he returned to the business he knew inside and out, and became a franchisee. Now Kohli owns 12 Friendly’s locations in the Philadelphia area, as well as four . As the 29-year-old navigates the business world, he’s learned how to connect with communities, motivate his team and help employees find their own paths to success.