Issue link: http://endeavor.uberflip.com/i/414924
Similarly, when HotelBrain, a Greek hotel management company founded by Panos Paleologos , decided to launch an office in Istanbul, the Endeavor Turkey team set up a three-day roadshow for the founder. Increasingly, Endeavor Entrepreneurs are seeking out introductions to peers based in different geographic markets but operating in the same industry. Abdulmohsin Al-Rabiah , for example, is the founder of Shawarmer, a Saudi chain of 39 fast-casual restaurants that specializes in the popular Arabic sand- wich shawarma. When Abdulmohsin asked Endeavor for help refining his growth and operations strategies, his account manager connected him to Carlo Gonzaga , an Endeavor Entrepreneur based in South Africa. Carlo's company, Taste Holdings, began as a Scooter's Pizza. Today Taste Holdings is the holding company for nine brands in South Africa, including Domino's, and is one of the largest employers in the Endeavor network. In March 2014, Abdulmohsin traveled to Johannesburg to meet with Carlo and other Taste Holding executives in person. He visited some of the company's restau- rants and checked out its production and distribution centers. The experience helped Abdulmohsin enhance his under- standing of how to balance corporate ownership with franchisees, maintain operations standards, improve employee culture, and make technical improve- ments to his supply chain. HotelBrain manages Kirini Suites & Spa, a property on the Greek island of Santorini. The company also manages nearly 100 other proper- ties in Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Turkey. 16 ENDEAVOR IMPACT REPORT 2013–14