Small Business Spotlight: Afro Deli
Monday, July 10, 2023 at 1:29AMArticle by Becky Fillinger, photos provided
Abdirahman KahinA Discussion with CEO and Founder, Abdirahman Kahin
Abdirahman Kahin is the brainchild behind Afro Deli. As CEO and Founder, he was recently awarded 2023 SBA National Small Business Person of the Year. We talked to him about the future growth of Afro Deli, emphasis on community and how he puts together a winning approach for employee satisfaction.
Q: Congratulations on winning 2023 SBA National Small Business Person of the Year! Will Afro Deli expand outside of the Twin Cities with your recent win on the national stage?
A: Thank you! We’re very honored and grateful for the award. We will expand throughout the state of Minnesota in the next five years. We are talking with potential partners who can assist us with putting together a framework that can be replicated – items such as menu, training, customer service, operating systems, culture, etc. – so that the wider launch can take place. We need to create a franchise agreement, too – it protects us and the potential franchisee. So, there are many things to do to grow larger, but we are on the path.
Kahin with Vice President Kamala Harris at the 2023 SBA National Small Business Person of the Year event.
Q: You've said that your hobby is creating jobs. I applaud you for this wonderful focus! How many employees do you currently have between your four Afro Deli locations in the Twin Cities and Grab N’ Go at the airport?
A: We currently employ between 70 – 80 people.
Q: Your website states Afro Deli is a fusion restaurant that weaves together business, community, and culture. Why did you choose this language? How do you weave the community and culture into the business model?
A: Our restaurants are community spaces where people can come together. We have always opened our doors to the communities where we operate – and we have always supported our communities. Afro Deli directly supports initiatives and organizations that do good locally and across the world. We started on the West Bank and this community-based approach is our goal for all of our locations. Of course, we want to succeed financially in the business but we also want to be a friendly welcoming space. I want to point out that 95% of our customers are not Africans. We are a main stream restaurant serving a wide range of customers. Just as Chipotle does not only serve Mexicans, we do not just serve Africans. Our food is universal, as well as being fast, fresh and delicious.
Q: In an earlier interview you say that you work hard to make sure everybody is able to come to work tomorrow with joy. How do you do that and how will you keep that employee-focus if Afro Deli becomes a national brand?
A: If we are successful in the future, it will be due to our employees. We have always taken good care of our employees, without mandates to do so. We have paid above the minimum wage for the past 10 years. We also have vacation and sick pay as benefits. We hire family members – it is not uncommon to see husbands and wives, twins, daughters and Dads and cousins all working together. If we can maintain the employee-focused nature of Afro Deli, there will be joy at the workplace.
Q: You have a degree in Film and Media Production. Has that education been helpful in the success of Afro Deli?
A: Absolutely it has! Film school taught me how to tell a story and how to promote and market the story. Film makers are creative people and I believe that you need creativity if you are going to successfully break into the food industry. My filmmaker background allows me to always mix it up a bit and keep selling the underlying business.
Q: How may we follow your news?
A: Please follow us on social media - Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Please visit one of our locations and give us feedback – we love to hear from our customers.
