Pizza Hut's corporate ownership may be in flux, but a major U.S. franchisee is sticking with the business approach that has made his franchise one of the longest-tenured in the chain. Restaurant development veteran Tim Sparks is betting on the past to lead it into the future.
Sparks is president of Daland Corp., the 50-year-old franchise firm operating 93 Pizza Huts across 11 states. As Pizza Hut's global owner, Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum Brands, considers selling the chain, potentially to an East Coast private equity firm, Sparks said Daland is emphasizing the brand's history with retrofits of eateries to feature the once-familiar Tiffany-style lamps, checked tablecloths, the iconic red roof and more. And as a four-decade industry veteran, most of it involving the pizza chain, he's a big part of the brand's nearly 70-year history.
Shortly after graduating from high school in upstate New York in 1983, he moved to Oahu, Hawaii, and took a job washing dishes at a Pizza Hut. A year later, Sparks joined Daland in Plattsburgh, New York.
He advanced through nearly every company level over the years, serving as a cook, shift manager, assistant manager, general manager, district manager, regional vice president, chief operating officer and ultimately president. Before Wichita, where he is now based at Daland's Kansas headquarters, he lived and worked in several states where Daland now has restaurants, including New York, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.
His career has also included executive positions with Daland’s Panera Bread franchise, helping to develop 17 Florida locations before Daland sold those restaurants in 2008. He did similar work for Daland’s development of Sonic Drive-in eateries in the Milwaukee area from 2009 to 2011.
Sparks talked more about his business and life priorities. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What got you interested in the restaurant business as your career choice?
I had just graduated from high school and needed a job, so I started washing dishes at a Pizza Hut. At the time, I wanted to become an architectural engineer, but life had other plans. I was on my own and needed to support myself, and financially I could afford rent or college — not both.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career?
Hard work pays off. I always encourage people to strive to be in the top 3% of whatever they do. That’s when opportunities really begin to open up. I also believe strongly in personal accountability. Your success or failure is largely determined by the choices you make. Don’t spend your energy blaming others. Focus on improving yourself and moving forward.
You’ve been through economic ups and downs. What keeps you up at night?
I constantly ask myself whether I’m being a good employer and whether I’m doing the right things to lead the company and make it a great, enjoyable place to work. Of course, the economics of running a business are always on my mind as well. Profitability matters. But in my experience, that usually takes care of itself when you have great employees who are happy and motivated.