Lisa Starens never thought she would run a million million millionaires a day. In the 1980s, she was 22 years old and worked as a secretary at Captain D’s Parents Company, a quick service seafood restaurant (No. 272 2025 franchise 500). In fact, at the moment, she knew more about it Not Want to do more than anything. She says, “I had two things I was not going to do.” Businessman With laughter, “I was not going to become a teacher, and I was not going to be secretary. And, of course, I went to work as a secretary.”
In 1994, her husband purchased 10 Captain D restars in the Dallas -Fort Worth area. He said the decision was not his, but he supported two young boys, supporting him, one of which was on an autism spectrum. “I was focused on my children.” I didn’t really think about it My Thing. “
Related: Considering ownership of the franchise? Start now to find a list of your personal nature of your lifestyle, interests and budget franchises.
“I’ve got this opportunity, and I need to work it.”
She changed the next year, when her husband suffered a heart attack and she could no longer join the business. Suddenly, the Starency was in charge of the Portfolio who had already lost money in his first year. “She had a dream, and I got a job,” she says.
The stares admitted that she was shy and inexperienced. But he quickly started hosting weekly manager meetings, trying to learn more from his more experienced team. He spent the night calculating the costs of food at his kitchen table, which reduced the number of serving in the middle of Colysla. “It wasn’t beautiful,” she says. “In fact, some of it was ugly. But I thought, I got this opportunity, and I need to work it“
The early days experienced his commitment. Within two years, in this business, the loss of 000 700,000, which forced the stares to make painful decisions, including the closure of four less performing stores. The advisers asked him to file for bankruptcy or sell whatever he could. An external adviser even suggested selling his car and hutchies back to Texas. Instead, he moved forward. She says, “The joke I have answered is that I was not smart enough to leave.” “The real answer is that I knew how rare this opportunity, and I had to give everything I have.”
“I had to give everything I had.”
Until 1998, the stares paid a loan of 000 700,000. From there, his restaurants began to grow stable and grow. In the middle of the major recession, he carefully expanded a new store in 2008, carefully expanding it. She also survived the pandemic, relying on her employees for a long time. Many of his managers have been with him for more than 20 years, and some for more than 30 years, the stare says. “When time is great, we all make a lot of good and money. When we are struggling, we are all struggling together.”
Its restaurant has permanently performed Captain D’s corporate average, including a total income of 10 million Million. Thanks to what they call “irrational hospitality”. Employees regularly go beyond expectations, such as helping elderly guests in a restaurant. The stare says a couple even gave the Dallas Cowboy Thanksgiving Giving Day Game to the store manager in praise.
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“I’m so glad I didn’t hear.”
Today, the Starren of Dallas is operating at the seven Captain D places across the Fort Worth and is preparing to open its first new store in 15 years. A modern end in Texas Arlington, with a walkout drive operated in October 2025. “The past is terrific because it brings you here, but I also want to be part of the future.”
Turn back, the stares are grateful that he ignored the walking advice. “I’m so glad I didn’t hear; if I had, I would never have this opportunity.” He has a direct advice for everyone who is dealing with professional and personal turmoil: “You are more worthy of your sense. If you keep your head down, work hard and keep your attention, you can make it. If I can do it, anyone can do it.”
Lisa Starens never thought she would run a million million millionaires a day. In the 1980s, she was 22 years old and worked as a secretary at Captain D’s Parents Company, a quick service seafood restaurant (No. 272 2025 franchise 500). In fact, at the moment, she knew more about it Not Want to do more than anything. She says, “I had two things I was not going to do.” Businessman With laughter, “I was not going to become a teacher, and I was not going to be secretary. And, of course, I went to work as a secretary.”
In 1994, her husband purchased 10 Captain D restars in the Dallas -Fort Worth area. He said the decision was not his, but he supported two young boys, supporting him, one of which was on an autism spectrum. “I was focused on my children.” I didn’t really think about it My Thing. “
Related: Considering ownership of the franchise? Start now to find a list of your personal nature of your lifestyle, interests and budget franchises.
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