Company: Shawarma Press Franchising, Irving, TX
Company Description: Shawarma Press is the first authentic shawarma franchise in the US and the leader in fast casual Mediterranean. The brand started in 2017 and is rapidly expanding through TX and GA. Proud to be lead by an amazing woman (Sawsan Abublan), Shawarma Press is loved for its emphasis on fresh, healthy menu items that align with the globally recognized Mediterranean Diet. Awards: 2022 Silver Stevie (DEI)
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Woman of the Year - Franchising
 Nomination Title: Mrs. Sawsan Abublan, CEO
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
We are proud to nominate our Founder and CEO Mrs. Sawsan Abublan.
Sawsan is the true manifestation of the entrepreneurial spirit. She started her career as a pharmacist in 1998 and took a leap in 2016 after a deep market study and went from comforting patients to comfort foods by founding Shawarma Press Franchising, LLC. Her leadership skills and commitment with meticulous attention to details allowed her not only to establish a franchise that is the first of its kind, but also to take this to the next level with a unique expansion model through Walmart as well as stand-alone locations. On the other hand, Sawsan was able to create a welcoming environment for franchisees, employees, and customers through inclusion and diversity, recently winning a Silver Stevie award specifically for her DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts internally and around the community. Sawsan's big heart and love for giving back to community is visible across her franchise, where every store (corporate and franchisee owned) donates a percentage of their income to local non-profit organizations in their area, something that is documented in her brand's FDD, a unique requirement, not many other FDDs have.
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 199 words used.
Sawsan opened the first Shawarma Press location in Irving, TX in 2017 as the first Authentic Shawarma Franchise in the US. The store immediately made over 1M in revenue in the first 12 months and was set for expansion with an approved FDD right at the end of 2019. Sawsan was able to keep her doors open during COVID and emerged even stronger with a well established customer base and a solid online and App ordering systems. In 2021 Sawsan was able to land a master lease agreement with Walmart as an approved food vendor and took the company from 1 store to 5 through corporate locations inside Walmart between December 2021 and April 2022. The company added more franchisee owned location in 2022 and now has 8 locations open and 2 more signed and coming soon. With an emphasis on fresh, healthy menu items that align with the globally recognized Mediterranean Diet, Sawsan curated a menu for Shawarma Press from family recipes as well as innovative fusion inspired ones, serving hand stacked premium chicken and beef shawarma in a variety of wraps and over bowls along with homemade staples such as falafel, hummus, and pastries, earning rave reviews!
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 209 words used.
1) On the expansion side: the following Shawarma Press stores opened inside Walmart (Texas) between December 2021 and April 2022: San Antonio, Arlington, Plano, and Georgetown, followed by 3 more standalone locations in 2022 Frisco (TX), 2023 Dallas Arts District (TX) and 2023 Johns Creek (GA).
2) On the supply chain side, in 2022 Sawsan established a dedicated commissary for her proprietary menu items, something that small businesses don't normally think of doing early on, but she was forward thinking and was able to support her growth through strong production and distribution channels, this also ensured that menu items in all Shawarma Press locations maintain the same quality and taste.
3) On Community Involvement: The Shawarma Press FDD is unique in a way that, per the FDD, 1% of gross sales of all stores (corporate and franchisee owned) goes to local non-profit organizations. Shawarma Press is also a big supporter of local schools and teachers through hosting fundraiser events and providing gift cards for teachers.
4) On the DEI side: Sawsan served as Ex-officio Chamber Board of Directors, at the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce in September 2021 with emphasis Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, something she deeply believes in and implements at all her stores on daily basis.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 110 words used.
We are attching the following:
1. A page from the FDD with reference to non-profit contributions,
2. Photos of Walmart stores (inside and out)
3. The Chamber of Commerce DEI presentation
4. Sawsan at one of the stores with the diverse team during the 5 year store anniversary
5. Photos of the commissary
6. Photos of a couple amazing menu items.
7. A photo is from December 2022, where the team at the Irving location was preparing meals for the homeless shelter.
8. URL link to the franchising website with detailed information about the franchise,
9. URL link to the customer facing website for the different locations and menu items.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 191 words used.
Sawsan has been living in the United States for over 25 year, her family is originally from a city outside of Jerusalem, she has set the example for other women with her inspirational story of achievement, making the courageous decision of a career leap, creating a one of a kind franchise, establishing a commissary to maintain the consistency and quality of her products, leading and growing her organization successfully in a short period of time through non-traditional channels like Walmart in addition to the typical brick and mortar stores, and fostering a welcoming culture for everyone to work and strive. Her story landed her company, multiple awards like the 2022 Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers award as well as the 2022 Innovation Award presented by Franchise Update Media for the Most Innovative Supply Chain, and the 2022 Silver Stevie award for Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion. It is time for her efforts to be recognized because we feel that she is truly one of the most innovative women in franchising, and we hope her story will inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter how unattainable they may seem.
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