8A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
KULTURE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2006
Mister Joe Bisogno tells his story of subs, success and the perfect job Mr. Goodcents $ ^{\textcircled{R}}$
BY EMILY HENDRICKS
editor@kansan.com
KANSAN CORPORATIOND
Not many 6-year-olds who sell lemonade on the street corner end up CEOs of their own franchises. Joe Bisogno is the exception.
From his humble beverage-serving beginnings, to sweeping barbershop floors, shining
shoes and runing a paper route, Bisogno has worked his way up in the business world by investing in his future. The payoff has been manifold. Bisogno is
the founder and CEO of Mr. Goodcents, a sub sandwich and pasta franchise known for its fresh, quick, low-cost food and customer-friendly atmosphere.
Without a bachelor's degree, the business owner worked his way to the top through hard work and experience.
As a teenager, Bisogno owned and operated an ice cream truck, gas station and used car lot.
He moved on to manage a McDonald's and eventually became a professor at McDonald's Hamburger University. Bisogno said he gained more of a sense of business ethics through McDonald's long-established practices than he could have in any formal college class.
Because he had always dreamed of owning his own company, Joe opened his first Mr. Goodcents restaurant in Lenexa in 1989, a year after he stopped working for McDonald's.
For those living in the heartland, the muscular penny logo of Mr. Goodcents has become a familiar sight. Bisogno said the Mr. Goodcents penny stood for value because customers could expect a large volume of food for a reasonable price.
He said Mr. Goodcents' brawny arms and legs were symbolic of hard work and endurance, and his smile showed the enjoyment and satisfaction that he got from serving customers and being involved in his community.
Bisogno encourages each restaurant to participate in sponsorship programs and to help local charities through
fund raising.
Bisogno said his creed was, "Have a plan. Work your plan. Love your work."
This attitude drove him to his current success. He said that in the beginning he worked "25 hours a day, 8 days a week." He has not worked a day in 17 years.
He said that he loved his job and that it was not work, in any sense of the word. For any person aspiring to discover success in life, Bisogno recommends finding a passion, working at it and loving it.
He said too many people focused on changing jobs every few years. Instead, people should find what they love to do and do it.
Joe Bisogno is a living testament to his philosophy; he loves his job and has no desire to do anything else.
With restaurants open in 16 states, it seems that industriousness and zeal has paid off for Bisogno. So the next time you drive by a kid selling lemonade by the street, take a closer look. You could be looking at your future boss.
Edited by Kathryn Anderson
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