Franchisee Profile - Stan Paulauskas

Burger King Franchisee Stan Paulauskas has been a force in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry since 1963. He began his career in QSR at 16, starting as a crew member and steadily rising through the ranks to become Vice President of Restaurant Operations for a 25-store Franchise. While working in the industry, Stan simultaneously earned a degree in accounting. After graduating, he spent two years at a large accounting firm, but quickly realized his passion lay in working with people and in QSR. Stan says, “It’s one of these businesses that you have to be a little crazy and you also have to really like people... and if you do, it's a perfect business and it’s exciting.”

After realizing his passion, Stan turned his focus to becoming a Franchisee. Being a fan of Burger King, he joined the BK system in 1981, opening his first location in Connecticut. The restaurant was a big success, and Stan quickly grew to open three additional BK restaurants over the next 13 months. He continued to grow his portfolio throughout the years, currently owning 13 restaurants.

One of the most important aspects to running a successful business throughout Stan’s career has been his team, and he sets a strong example for Franchisees when it comes to building culture. He has implemented multiple systems to ensure his Team Members feel valued, such as internal incentive programs with monetary rewards, recognition programs, anniversary bonuses, an “Employee of the Month” program, and holiday cards each year. Additionally, to celebrate one-year milestones, Stan and his partners take the time to write and send personalized hand-signed letters expressing gratitude for their commitment to balancing work and life.

Beyond cultivating a supportive team environment, Stan is involved in day-to-day operations of his restaurant. He regularly checks in to ensure everything is running smoothly and takes a hands-on approach to address any challenges. During his visits, he makes it a point to personally greet each crew member and bid them farewell, reinforcing his dedication to the team.

For Stan, the most rewarding aspect of being a Franchisee is when everything clicks – when the incentive programs, operations, customer satisfaction all fall into place. It’s the moments when both his Team Members and Guests are happy and operations run smoothly, that make his work fulfilling.

‍

‍