Ian Kern-Martin
John Nicolakakis, CEO of Roman’s Pizza gives new meaning to the phrase go getter. He has been at the helm of South Africa’s second largest pizza chain for 12 years. In this period, he has grown the brand from 28 to 148 stores and is still setting his sights high. One of Gauteng’s most eligible bachelors, this 36 year old spoke to MyJoburg about what makes him tick!
Q & A with John Nicolakakis
I see from the information I was given that you took over the Roman’s chain from your father 12 years ago. What lessons did your father teach you about running a successful business?
My father has taught me everything I know. He is an exceptionally wise man, fantastic entrepreneur and businessman. I often travelled with him around the country when I was young looking at new sites for stores. He would share a wealth of knowledge with me. What you put into your business (hours and work ethic) is what you will derive from your business. Treat people fairly because you never know, your employee could be your boss one day. Fight for what you believe in. Your word is your honour. These are some of the many lessons that he has taught me. The list goes on and on. He led by example and always practiced what he preached to me.
Has your family always been involved in the food industry?
My father has been in the food industry for 50 years. He started with steak houses and moved on into fast food over the years. My mother always stood by his side and worked in the businesses with him. My sister grew up in the restaurants working as a waitress/cashier while in school and university. I guess we all have a love for washing dishes. Lol
Please give us the best and worst aspects of being the CEO of such a successful enterprise?
The best: I love the fact that this business is so fluid. You never know what challenge success tomorrow will bring. The high of closing a successful deal/ negotiation is very rewarding and addictive!
The worst: trying to balance one’s personal life and achieving all the targets for the business can be very challenging at the best of times. There are periods in a year when the going gets really tough and your business becomes a very needy child. This can get frustrating but it’s up to the CEO to steer the ship through the rough seas till you get to the smooth waters again.
You studied finance originally, how has this assisted you as CEO?
I believe that finance is the most essential tool any entrepreneur, professional manager or CEO can have. 70 percent of my day is spent doing calculations and or working with numbers. The ability to make sound decisions for your business is based on a solid understanding of “the numbers” and the implications of your decisions on the numbers. If I had to learn nothing else again it would be accounting and maths!
Did you find the transition from currency trader to CEO difficult?
Yes in ways it was very challenging. As a trader you have to think fast and work off your gut to be successful. The same applies in business. The most challenging part of the move to Roman’s Pizza was managing the growth the first couple of years. The transition from a few takeaways to a medium size corporation was not easy. I had never worked for a larger business in the food industry and had to thumb suck the way forward many a day with my father. We both had to figure things out as we grew. We have a habit of growing first at Roman’s Pizza and then adding the infrastructure to support the growth. This worked very well for us in the early days. Once you achieve a certain size you need the right employees supporting you in the right roles or things will start to fall apart.
You have grown the brand from 28 to 150 stores in 12 years. Why do you think it has grown so quickly?
Roman’s Pizza had an incredibly solid foundation when I joined. My father was so pedantic about quality and service that the stores all traded exceptionally well. All I did was use this base and hit my foot on the accelerator pedal. We were fortunate in that the wind was out our backs and this masked many of our mistakes. The whole fast food sector experienced a phenomenal boom which helped us as well. Finally, more guts than brains played a big hand. I was inexperienced in many areas so I couldn’t see the potential pitfalls. I just saw opportunity. This was a stroke of luck more often than not and enabled us to grow very quickly in certain years.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs wanting to emulate you?
Don’t get into food!!!! Lol.. hmmm I would have to say be willing to get your hands dirty, stay focused and when you think you have worked as hard as you can put another hour or two in!!!!
You are only 36 years old. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to heading up such a big enterprise at a young age?
It has been an amazing rollercoaster ride over the last 12 years. I have learned an incredible amount about my own strengths and weaknesses. I have made same incredible friends (and a few enemies) along the way. Roman’s has allowed me to see the whole of South Africa and at times has taken me to foreign places I would have never ever have been to by my own free will. It has opened my eyes to so much! The financial freedom it has given me is merely a bonus to the enrichment I have received being in this position in so many other ways. The only disadvantage is the pressure you have to handle from a young age. Many families and employees (+- 3000) depend on my decisions. The bigger we become the greater the responsibility and the pressure!!!!
I would guess you don’t have a lot of spare time but when you are not at work, how do you relax? Do you have any hobbies?
Spare time? What is that? … I jog a few times a week, ride a mountain bike and the only time my brain shuts down is when I go to a movie. Outside of that I have the most amazing daughter who I try to spend as much time with as possible.
You are described as the most eligible bachelor in Gauteng! What should your future partner know about you?
Only in Gauteng? Not in the whole of SA? Lol…. I’m very outgoing, love to be around people. I have been called hyper more than once. I’m fairly easy going but have been told I can be a little stubborn when I dig my heels in. it’s the Taurus in me apparently!
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned during your time as CEO of Romans?
Empathy! A business is built around its people. If you cannot empathise with your colleague, franchisee, customer, supplier you will never succeed.
What is your favourite Roman’s Pizza?
Can you really choose a favourite pizza at Roman’s… they are all so good!!! My favourite is a Fetaroni (Pepperoni, green chilli, feta) with extra olives
As this article is for the MyJoburg website, what is the best part about living in Johannesburg?
I love the energy and diversity of Joburg. It’s an amazing city
What are your future aspirations?
Take over the pizza world!!!! My current goal is to work smarter not harder in the future.
Tell us something about yourself that very few people know.
My real name is Ioannis!!