Chad Booysens - From BurgerFuel to Shake Out
Chad Booysens, Shake Out Area Manager. Enjoys a good mountain bike trail!
Moving up the ranks from Shift Manager to Area Manager, to opening the first BurgerFuel in the USA and back to New Zealand to develop and launch BurgerFuel Group's newest brand, Shake Out, Chad Booysens shares some insight into how he landed the role and the steps he took to get there.
How long have you been with the BurgerFuel Group / BurgerFuel / Shake Out?
I started working for BurgerFuel Albany in early 2012 and I've since been with Shake Out for a year and a half.
How did you first get involved with BurgerFuel / BurgerFuel Group and what was your initial role?
I studied a Diploma in International Hospitality Management at AUT and once I graduated I applied for a Shift Manager role at BurgerFuel Albany and have never looked back since.
What were your progression steps from this role? i.e. role you started with to the role you’re in now.
I started as a Shift Manager at BurgerFuel Albany and after one year I moved into the Store Manager role at BurgerFuel Westgate. From there I became the Area Manager for my Franchisee and looked after his five BurgerFuel stores. This also gave me the opportunity to travel around New Zealand opening up new stores and I eventually ended up in the USA to help open the first BurgerFuel in America! Since then, I have assisted the BurgerFuel Group in developing the Shake Out brand and I'm now the Area Manager for Shake Out.
How did your Shake Out journey begin?
I was initially contracted to Shake Out to help set up the brand from an operational perspective and assisting with getting the (very first) Smales Farm store up and running. My plan was to continue being the Area Manager for my Franchisee's five BurgerFuel stores and help him set up and manage his first Shake Out store, but I decided to accept an offer with the BurgerFuel Group and continue being an integral part of growing the Shake Out brand.
How did you first hear about Shake Out?
I first heard about Shake Out through James who told me he had been offered the opportunity to open the first franchise-owned Shake Out store, part of that included me helping develop operations and set up the first store.
What do you like most about the Shake Out brand?
The innovation and simplicity of the brand. Everything is so streamlined, from both a customer and operational perspective.
What are you excited about?
The growth of the brand and the continued development. I believe the brand has strong legs and can go extremely far.
What is the challenge you are most looking forward to tackling in your role with Shake Out?
Opening more stores and keeping things simple. The BFG team were very strategic when developing the Shake Out business model and we need to continue sticking to our guns and believing in what’s been created.
What is your favourite menu item?
Chicken burger and Lime pistachio shake!
Anything to add?
Being a part of BFG has opened a world of opportunities for me, from travelling to the USA to playing an important part of the Shake Out brand, opportunities that I didn’t think would happen when I first started as a Shift Manager at BurgerFuel Albany. It’s exciting to be a part of a company that is willing to adapt and recognise that the market/world is changing and front foot that by trying new things and believing in what they create!