Sancho enters Japs franchise.
T&T Newsday Reports.
BRENT SANCHO, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pro League team DIRECTV North East Stars, has joined the club’s president Darryl Mahabir in the fast food industry.
Mahabir is the owner of the Japs Fried Chicken chain and Sancho has now ventured into the market with the first mobile Japs outlet called “Japs On The Move”.
This 20-feet-tall mobile unit will be in operation this week in the capital city of Port-of- Spain.
“This is a very exciting time for me,” said the former Trinidad and Tobago defender. “It’s a daunting experience as it’s my first venture into the fast food industry. Before this, the only chicken I cooked was on a barbecue!
“I had a great career in football and now I think it’s time for a fresh challenge,” said the 34-year-old. “It’s about time I put my business degree to some use!”
Sancho explained how his preparation saw him learn the various aspects of the business, from administration to applying the secret seasoning that makes Japs one of the more popular franchises locally.
“Yes, I had to put on an apron and learn how to cook chicken, fries and fish,” laughed Sancho. “Darryl (Mahabir) can do every job in a Japs outlet and he insisted I could do it too!”
According to Mahabir, “we’ve come a long way from the first Japs outlet in Foster Road, Sangre Grande. I knew back then that the Japs formula would eventually spread countrywide, but it takes time to achieve this in a structured way.
“I looked for inspiration and took an interest in Ray Kroc, the man who founded McDonald’s. I suppose I adopted his philosophy of quality, value and service.
“Even our famous garlic and pepper sauces are made by us,” Mahabir added. “The only place in the world you can taste this recipe is in Japs, and this has led the sauces to be labelled by some as ‘The flavour of Trinidad’.” Sancho noted that he has received calls to set up the “Japs On The Move” at parties and social events locally, but he is keen to have a fixed location in Port-of-Spain.”
The North East CEO admitted that he was introduced to Japs by Mahabir, stating, “once I sampled the unique taste, I was hooked! I have witnessed the power of a quality fast food brand overseas, and I could immediately see the potential.”
But Mahabir emphasises, “Japs is my baby and I wanted to make sure that Brent fully appreciated the Japs philosophy before I allowed him to take a franchise. To his credit, he’s an intelligent man with a good business brain and I was happy to give him the first ever Japs franchise.”
The Japs owner revealed that he will be opening up a branch in Arima in November (his seventh overall).
“Already I have several approaches each week from businessmen requesting a franchise, but I have resisted so far. However, that will come in time.
“First I have to ensure my logistical infrastructure is in place. Eventually I see the Japs brand opening across the Caribbean,” Mahabir ended.
