From Cashiers and Cooks to Williams Chicken Franchise Partners
(Dallas, TX) –Williams Chicken will celebrate Women’s History Month by rewarding the hard work and dedication of two of its corporate store employees with keys to their own fast casual restaurant.
Shauna Brown and Alythina Wynn will advance from store managers to business owners Tuesday, March 8 @ 2pm where they both will sign franchise papers and officially become entrepreneurs. The Ceremonial Signing takes place at Williams Chicken, 2600 Robert B. Cullum in Dallas.
The two African American Women are advancing under the company’s Pathway to Ownership Program. They have been in the system for more than two decades and have worked their way into management positions.
Brown started under the tutelage of her father as a teenager and Wynn made her way to Williams Chicken 25 years ago.
“Williams Chicken has always promoted and support women and currently has female franchise owners, but none are African American,” said Founder and CEO Hiawatha Williams. “As I continue to look at how I can grow business owners and help people who work with me leave a legacy for their family, like I plan to leave for mine; I believe providing an opportunity for Black women entrepreneurs could change the trajectory of their entire family. So, Tuesday I am going to gladly turn the keys of two separate locations over to these dedicated leaders.
“Now more than ever, I am dedicated and committed to growing owners.”
The WILLIAMS CHICKEN Pathway to Owners Program provided a similar opportunity to another candidate in 2019, and he is still successfully running his operation.
The WILLIAMS CHICKEN Pathway to Owners program waives the franchise fee and the company assists the new franchise partner with loan guarantee, business set-up, marketing, and day to day operational support to ensure success.
Candidates must have exceptional work ethic, dynamic customer service and excel in operations, said Tim Williams who handles Franchise Development for WILLIAMS CHICKEN.
“He’s been with WILLIAMS CHICKEN for 12 years and I have no doubt that Wynn and Brown will do great as they join the ranks as franchise partners,” he said.
Shauna Brown has been working in the Williams Chicken system since she was helping her father at 14 years old. She is the youngest owner in the Williams Chicken system, having been with the company for 21 years; starting as a cook, then cashier before working her way up to a manager, trainer and now owner. Brown will own the Williams Chicken located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in South Dallas.
Alythina Wynn has been with Williams Chicken for more than 25 years. She migrated to the system from Church’s Chicken where she worked with Mr. Williams there. She has worked as a store manager and later a supervisor. Wynn has always wanted to start a business and inspire women, now she has an opportunity to do it by encouraging everyone, especially women to keep striving for their goals, have faith and believe in themselves. Wynn’s store is located on Ramey Blvd. in Ft. Worth TX.
For nearly 35 years Williams Chicken has cooked up winning recipes that have produced longevity and profitability. During the 2020 pandemic Williams Chicken experienced a stellar year of profits and opened three new franchise locations. Williams and other business owners say it actually could be the best time for new business start-ups.
According to a recent article in Forbes, small businesses were hit particularly hard, but their reporting also reveals business growth during COVID-19 as well.
