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HuHot founder: 'Delegate well and train others'

Linda Vap, president and founder of HuHot Mongolian Grill, was a scientist before she got into the restaurant business.

March 24, 2017 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Editor's note: In honor of International Women's Day (March 8) and Women's History Month, FastCasual interviewed several female leaders in the restaurant industry to learn about their success and how they feel about leading in a male-dominated industry. To read the entire series, click here.

Linda Vap, president and founder of HuHot Mongolian Grill, was a scientist before she got into the restaurant business. The 35-year restaurant veteran with a bachelor's in biology and chemistry initially worked for Smith Labs conducting research and later for the State of Nebraska Agriculture Department. She and her husband, Dan, decided in 1979, however, to get into the restaurant business, and became one of the first Godfather's Pizza franchisees

That experience gave her firsthand knowledge of what franchisees endure, which helps her relate to her HuHot franchisees. She is passionate about being a good leader and lives by the mantra, "Don't ask someone to do something you would not be willing to do, and don't give up on your goals and dreams.You can do it."

Got her start in the biz
Vap was a Godfather's Pizza franchisee for years until she transformed a struggling Godfather's unit into the first HuHot in 1999. In 2002, HuHot sold its first franchise and its now spans most of the Midwest with about 60 units in 16 states.

On why women make great leaders
"Why not? It takes confidence, but women make great leaders if you believe in yourself."

Advice to women looking to lead
"If given the opportunity, take a chance on it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say. Be confident, be kind, be willing to suggest new ideas, be a creative thinker, learn ALL aspects of the business, delegate well and train others in what you know. Don't get walked on, don't fall into the trap of saying, 'I'll just do it myself because it's faster than training someone to do it.'"

Franchising

About Cherryh Cansler

Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and publisher of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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