Willie Robinson got his first food industry experience washing dishes at a burger joint. His second came as a member of the board of directors of DWG, the now-defunct company that once owned Arby’s.For his third, Robinson will set a precedent: He is the first African-American franchisee in Florida for Denny’s, a chain that has weathered numerous charges of racism in the past decade and now actively seeks minority participation.
On Monday, construction will begin for a new Denny’s restaurant at 15235 SW 137th Ave., in Miami. Robinson will own 90 percent of it; Rascoe Warren will own the remaining 10 percent. Robinson, who works as a corporate liaison for the Florida Department of Labor, will resign his post to work full time for the restaurant.
Building the restaurant is expected to cost between $1.4 million and $1.9 million. Robinson borrowed $1 million, and paid Denny’s $35,000 for the franchise.
Since it was brought up on numerous charges of discrimination against black patrons, including one in Miami, Denny’s has launched an extensive diversity campaign. Customers are given phone numbers for complaints if they feel they’ve received discriminatory treatment, and the company has reached out to potential minority franchisees through job fairs and community meetings.
At the close of the third quarter, Denny’s had 84 minority franchisees and collectively owned 267 restaurants, representing 35 percent of all Denny’s franchise restaurants, the company said.
As for Robinson, Monday’s official groundbreaking marks the start of an extensive business venture.
“I’m interested in more than this one,” he said.
