Antonio Swad is the consummate entrepreneur, and a passionate restaurateur at heart. He began his career as a dishwasher at age 15 and quickly worked his way up to unit-level management for companies such as Ponderosa Steak House, Smuggler’s Inn and Village Inn Restaurant. During that time, he developed a voracious appetite for the restaurant business, studying other concept’s successes and failures.

In 1986, he founded Pizza Patrón and brought great food, service and respect to the overlooked and often underserved Hispanic community. Since franchising began in 2003, the brand has grown from four stores in Dallas, to over 100 stores in seven states and solidified its place as the nation’s #1 Latin pizza brand. Swad attributes the growth to strong and experienced brand partners combined with an industry-leading concept that fills a void in the Hispanic growth market.

In 1994, Swad founded another concept, Wingstop Restaurants, Inc., which has grown to become one of the nation’s top wing brands with 447 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. He sold the company in January of 2003 to Wingstop Holdings Inc.

Swad’s formula for a successful franchise concept is simple:

            • Be sure your product has a broad appeal.

            • The process needs to be easily taught to others.

            • The investment level can not exclude too many people.