When teenager Amol Kohli took a summer job at
Friendly’s in Philadelphia in 2003, earning about $5 an hour, his aim was
modest some extra cash and a line on his college resume. What he didn’t imagine
then was that two decades later he would acquire the entire company. In July
2025, his investment firm Legacy Brands International acquired the parent
company BRIX Holdings (which owns Friendly’s plus six other restaurant brands)
making Kohli chairman of its board.
Early
Beginnings: From Waiter to Franchisee
At age 15, Kohli started working at
Friendly’s, doing everything from scooping ice-cream to washing dishes and
serving tables. “I did any job my manager needed,” he said. While studying at Drexel University (double
majoring in finance and marketing), he spent his summers at the chain learning
payroll, food-costs, operations and franchisee support. After graduating in
2011, instead of pursuing a finance job, he chose to remain with Friendly’s as
a regional manager and then bought a franchise location funding it via loans
and savings.
Acquiring
the Parent Company: Full Circle Achievement
In July 2025, Legacy Brands International, led
by Kohli, announced the acquisition of BRIX Holdings Friendly’s parent company
which also owns brands such as Clean Juice, Red Mango, Orange Leaf, Humble
Donut Co., Smoothie Factory + Kitchen and Souper Salad. This strategic move elevated Kohli from
multi-unit franchisee (owning 30+ Friendly’s locations on the East Coast) to
the helm of the entire franchise system and its affiliated brands. He will continue to manage his existing units
while stepping into the role of Chairman of BRIX.
Vision for
Growth: Modernizing and Expanding the Brand
Under Kohli’s leadership, the plan for
Friendly’s includes modernization: revamping the brand’s mobile app, enhancing
guest experience, upgrading franchise partnerships, and expanding into new
markets such as Georgia, Texas and the Carolinas. Friendly’s footprint has reduced from over 800
outlets in the 1990s to about 100 today; Kohli aims to reverse that decline
through strategic growth and brand revitalization.
Redefining
Service Jobs into Lasting Careers
What stands out in Kohli’s journey is his
belief that restaurant jobs aren’t just temporary stops they can lead to major
leadership roles. “This is one of the few industries where you can literally
start from washing dishes and work your way up to CEO,” he said in an
interview. In his executive team now,
several of the people began as dishwashers or cooks under his franchise
network. His philosophy: “No job is too big or small. If you’re going to tell
somebody to do something, be prepared to show them how to do it yourself.”
Why It
Matters
Kohli’s story is inspiring for several
reasons:
It demonstrates the value of hands-on
experience and rising through the ranks within the same brand.
It shows that multi-unit franchisees can
become brand-owners, shifting from operators to strategic leaders.
It points to a shift in the restaurant
franchising landscape where operational know-how and brand ownership can
converge.
For aspiring entrepreneurs and those in service industries, his journey
validates that jobs in food service can be foundations for major business
achievements.
Conclusion
From scooping ice cream at age 15 for $5 an hour to owning the parent company
of a 90-year-old restaurant chain plus multiple food brands, Amol Kohli’s
journey is a full circle. It’s a testament to perseverance, operational
insight, and ambition. As he leads Friendly’s into its next chapter modernized,
expanded and revitalized his story will likely motivate many others to view
their first service jobs not as temporary gigs, but as stepping stones to
lasting careers.
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