From Gas Station Kitchen to Global Franchise Empire
5/26/202628 min
He starts with nothing but grit, faith, and a vision—and builds something far bigger than a restaurant. Muhieddine El-Hamawi, founder of Big Mo’s Kitchen, shares how he transforms a 400 sq ft gas station concept into a fast-growing restaurant franchise with global reach. Through relentless consistency, system building, and a deep focus on company culture, he reveals the mindset behind scaling a food business in today’s competitive market. This episode dives into entrepreneurship, leadership, and the real strategies behind building a brand that lasts. But the biggest lesson isn’t about food—it’s about purpose, pressure, and the decisions that define your future.
Key Takeaways
• Why starting small creates a stronger business foundation
• The real role of culture in scaling a restaurant franchise
• How consistency and patience outperform talent
• Why most entrepreneurs fail at decision-making and systems
• The strategy behind testing before expanding globally
Notable Quotes
• “Consistency, patience, and a whole lot of faith.”
• “It’s not about the dish—it’s about the purpose.”
• “Entrepreneurship is money managing and decision making.”
• “If you don’t like what you do, stop doing it.”
• “You have to connect to what you’re doing.”
Connect with Rudy Mawer:
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMuhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:00
When everybody's waiting for that payday and you are the one that's cutting everybody's check, I look at it, this is the purpose.
Speaker 20:06
Yes, sir.
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:07
So it's all about the purpose. It's not about the dish that we're serving.
Speaker 20:10
Yeah.
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:10
It's not about the shrimp that we're eating.
Speaker 20:12
Yeah.
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:12
It's literally a lot deeper than that. You're providing jobs.
Speaker 20:15
Yes, sir.
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:16
You're providing opportunities.
Speaker 20:17
Mm-hmm.
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:18
You're providing a good work environment. You're providing this competitive environment between your employees.
Speaker 20:25
Mouayedene El-Hamaoui is a resilient, visionary, and self-made entrepreneur, restaurateur, and franchise founder best known as the creator of Big Mo's Kitchen franchise company.
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:35
This is the culture.
Speaker 20:36
Right on, dude.
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:37
This is the culture that I've been working on, and I try to implement it every day with my employees, with my quarterly meetings, with my daily meetings, with my social media, all across.
Speaker 20:48
That's awesome, man. [laughs] Um, where does one learn this? Did you kinda, like, figure it out yourself? Did you crawl before you ran? Like, or did you have coaches?
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest0:56
S- s- so it started in the- My name's Rudy Moore, host of Living the Red Life podcast, and I'm here to change the way you see your life.
Rudy Mawer· Soundbite1:02
In your earpiece every single week. If you're ready to start living the red life, ditch the blue pill, take the red pill, join me in Wonderland and change your life.
Speaker 21:11
Welcome back to another episode of the Living Your Legacy podcast, the Red Life edition. Joining me today, right before we film his episode of Legacy Makers, is the one and only Big Mo?
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest1:22
Big Mo. Yes.
Speaker 21:22
[laughs] Big Mo. Executive chef of the world?
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest1:26
[laughs] I guess.
Speaker 21:27
Of the galaxy?
Muhieddine El-Hamawi· Guest1:28
Executive chef,