“You could, if you were of a mind to, set out on a pilgrimage of sorts. You could do it in a day, even. You’d want to maybe take it easy on eating the day before. You’d want to medicate in real time with ice water and hot coffee. You’d want a weekend day with the sun hanging bright and clear in the North Carolina sky. You’d want ambition coupled with a near-religious fervor. And you’d need — not just want, mind you — to believe.”

Hi Assaad, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I actually started out as a software engineer — and getting into the convenience or restaurant business was never part of the plan. But life has a funny way of pushing you in directions you never expect.

In 2007, we opened our first gas station. Back then, margins were shrinking fast and competition was everywhere. We had to find a way to stand out — to give people a reason to stop for more than just gas. Out of that challenge came an idea that would completely change my life.

In 2008, we started Pantry Fried Chicken. I didn’t know much about the restaurant world, so I did what I’ve always done when I’m faced with something new — I learned. I read every book I could get my hands on about food, business, and leadership. I asked questions, made mistakes, and kept improving. Bit by bit, that little fried chicken counter inside a gas station began to take off.

To my surprise, I discovered that I absolutely loved it. Building the brand, developing systems, finding ways to grow — it all felt like second nature to me. I realized how much joy I got from business development and from creating opportunities for others along the way.

Today, Pantry Fried Chicken has grown into multiple locations, and we’re now laying the foundation to franchise the brand. What started as a move for survival turned into something much more — a passion, a calling, and a reminder that sometimes the best things come from taking a chance when the odds are against you.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The hardest part by far has been hiring enough people to keep up with our growth. Finding good, reliable team members — especially during the COVID years — was incredibly difficult. We were growing, demand was there, but we just didn’t have enough hands. There were days when I’d be running from one store to another just to make sure everything stayed on track. It taught me a lot about patience, persistence, and teamwork.

Still, I can’t complain. This country has been such a blessing. The opportunity to build something from nothing is real — it just takes a lot of work and a lot of faith. Yes, the market is tough and the competition is everywhere, but that’s also what keeps us hungry. It pushes us to get better, to stay sharp, and to never take success for granted.

In the end, those struggles made us stronger. Every challenge shaped who we are as a company and as people. I wouldn’t trade that journey for anything.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Pantry Fried Chicken?

At Pantry Fried Chicken, we keep things simple — real food, made right. We specialize in southern-style fried chicken that’s fresh, crispy, and full of flavor. Our chicken is never frozen, with no chemicals or hormones, and every meal comes with our signature fresh-cut Idaho potatoes — Cut, breaded, and fried on site, then seasoned to perfection. It’s the kind of food that reminds people what fried chicken is supposed to taste like.

What really sets us apart is that we still care about the details most places have forgotten. We’re not a corporate chain — we’re a family-grown brand that started inside a gas station and built a following by serving honest, homemade food. Every location has that same neighborhood feel, where the food is made with pride and customers are treated like regulars from day one.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how we’ve stayed true to who we are. We’ve grown, but we haven’t lost that authenticity that got us here. Pantry Fried Chicken isn’t about shortcuts or gimmicks — it’s about doing things the right way, even when it takes a little more effort.

At the end of the day, we just want people to know that we care about what we serve. It’s real food, made fresh, by people who take pride in it — and I think that’s something people can taste.