CHICAGO, Ill. — C.H. James Restaurant Holdings LLC has acquired four additional Burger King restaurants in Kenosha, Wis., and opened a new store in Chicago.
As the largest Burger King African-American franchisee, Charles H. "Chuck" James III, chief executive officer of C.H. James Restaurant Holdings, now owns a total of 48 Burger King restaurants. He plans to open two more units this year to bring its total to 50 restaurants in greater Chicago, representing a 35 percent growth rate since inception, according to a press release.
Burger King named James one of nine recipients from around the world to receive the distinguished 2007 Burger King Brand Leadership Award. The award was presented at Burger King Corp.'s Global Convention in Las Vegas to franchisees who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the company and their customers.
C.H. James Restaurant Holdings is an affiliate of the 125-year-old C.H. James & Co., a fourth-generation family-owned business founded by James' great-grandfather in 1883 in Charleston, W.Va. C.H. James & Co. has been recognized as one of the oldest and largest African-American owned companies in the United States.
"My great-grandfather would be proud of this accomplishment as I saw a solid business opportunity and built upon that as he did back in 1883," James said. "The foundation my great-grandfather laid for my family is very similar to the standards Burger King was built on."
