This Entrepreneur Did His Homework On Airport Restaurants. Next Came The Profits

Randy Hazelton learned a simple maxim in elementary school: Do your homework. Unfortunately, he had to go bankrupt before he embraced it.Hazelton, the CEO of H&H Hospitality, a firm that operates concession stands in major U.S. airports, shares his story in “Journey to ForbesBLK Summit,” an editorial series that leads up to the inaugural ForbesBLK event on November 5-6. ForbesBLK will amplify entrepreneurs like Hazelton in Atlanta who take distinctive approaches to business, thought leadership and problem-solving.Founded in 2007, H&H co-owns over 20 franchises with nearly 100 employees. He estimates that the company, including joint venture partnerships, will reach $50 million of revenue this year and rise to $100 million in 2025. H&H has thrived with the help of federal government contracting guidelines under the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Act, known as ACDBE. The program favors minority and women businesses for contracts inside federally funded airports.“It changed my life,” says Hazelton, 43. He calls the program a “springboard” for smaller companies looking to expand in restaurant franchising.