— By Mohaimina Haque —
Building success through partnership and innovation.
The franchising landscape continues to evolve, shaped by changing consumer preferences, technological advancement and economic dynamics. At Tony Roma’s, we are meeting these changes head-on while staying true to the principles that have made our brand a global success for over 50 years.
Our approach to growth is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: our franchisees’ success drives our success. This isn’t just a saying — it’s the foundation of our business model and shapes every decision we make.
Building Success from Day 1
The restaurant industry demands more than just passion; it requires systematic execution and deep operational knowledge. That’s why we’ve developed what we call our “Franchisee-First Model.” This comprehensive system combines our time-tested operational practices with modern technology and marketing strategies, ensuring our partners have the tools they need to thrive from the moment they open their doors.
Our hands-on approach begins well before the first customer is served. We take a unique approach to training by conducting it directly at each franchisee’s location. This on-site training ensures that our seasoned operators can help franchisees master our systems within their specific kitchen layout and market context. Our experienced team works alongside franchisees in their own space, helping them optimize their unique setup while maintaining our high standards. This practical, location-specific training is complemented by our proprietary digital learning platform, which provides ongoing education and real-time support.
Our field operations team maintains regular contact with each location, offering personalized guidance and sharing best practices from across our network. This continuous support system helps our franchisees optimize their operations, manage costs effectively and deliver the exceptional dining experience our guests expect.
A Smart, Scalable Investment
In today’s economic climate, smart growth requires more than just expansion — it demands efficiency and adaptability. We have carefully engineered our growth model to maximize return on investment while minimizing initial capital requirements. Our development team has created flexible footprint options that can be tailored to various markets and locations, from traditional standalone restaurants to innovative smaller formats perfect for urban areas.
The numbers speak for themselves: our optimized kitchen design and streamlined operations have significantly reduced initial investment requirements compared to traditional casual dining models, while maintaining the high-quality dining experience our brand is known for. Our focus on strong unit economics has resulted in industry-leading performance metrics, with our franchisees consistently outperforming casual dining segment averages.
Looking Forward
We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We continue to invest in technology that enhances both operational efficiency and the guest experience. Our menu innovation pipeline is stronger than ever, balancing our legendary ribs and steaks with new offerings that appeal to evolving consumer tastes.
But what truly sets us apart — and what will drive our success in the years ahead — is our unwavering commitment to our franchisees. We are not just selling a business system; we’re building partnerships that last generations. Every decision we make is viewed through the lens of franchisee success, because we know that when our franchisees thrive, the entire Tony Roma’s family thrives.
For entrepreneurs looking to enter the restaurant industry or experienced operators seeking to expand their portfolios, Tony Roma’s offers more than just a proven brand name. We offer a true partnership, backed by decades of experience, modern systems and support, and a growth model designed for today’s market realities.
As we continue to expand across new markets and introduce innovative concepts, one thing remains constant: our commitment to being the best partner for our franchisees. That’s how we’ve built our success for over 50 years, and that’s how we’ll continue to grow in the years ahead.
— Mohaimina (“Mina”) Haque is a trailblazing CEO, attorney and educator, breaking barriers as the first woman CEO of Tony Roma’s in its five-decade history. As she spearheads the global restaurant chain, Haque is also actively engaged in the legal sphere, serving as the founder of the Law Office of Mohaimina Haque, PLLC, based in Washington, D.C., and as an Adjunct Professor of Law Practice Management at American University Washington College of Law. Haque’s commitment to innovation extends to her tenure at Tony Roma’s, where she is at the forefront of testing innovative solutions for an agile and adaptable workforce.