My Halal Burger Chain Brings In $4 Million A Year

Shazak Contractor, a 44-year-old founder and CEO, transformed from a risk-averse IT consultant earning nearly $300,000 annually to a successful restaurant entrepreneur. Born in Gujarat, India, and immigrating to the US at age 6, Contractor grew up as one of only two Muslims in his high school and later built a 24-year career in IT consulting. His restaurant journey began unexpectedly when a friend signed him up for a food festival, where he chose to make smash burgers as the 'easiest' option. The festival was a family effort that sold out by 6 PM, creating a transformative experience that led him to quit IT consulting three months later. Contractor founded Cousin's Burger as Philadelphia's first halal smash burger chain, addressing the lack of quality American halal food options beyond mainstream chains like The Halal Guys. Starting with a $15,000 personal investment, the business faced early operational challenges including receipt printer failures and overwhelming opening day crowds, but achieved profitability from day one. The company has since expanded to 8 Cousin's Burger locations plus additional concepts including Cousin's Smokehouse (Texas-style barbecue) and Cousin's Pizza, operating across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. With two silent partners owning 10% collectively, Contractor maintains control while the business generates over $4 million annually. Current challenges include rising food costs, requiring burger prices from $7-14, and ensuring each location receives appropriate support for marketing and staffing. His vision extends beyond serving the Muslim community to bridging cultural gaps and destigmatizing Muslim representation through quality food that appeals to everyone. Future expansion plans include becoming the next In-N-Out or Shake Shack, with goals for US-wide presence, Canadian expansion by year-end, and Middle East/European markets within two years.