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Jinil Patel started as a pizza maker at a Hungry Howie's restaurant when he was 16. Today he's a multi-unit operator with the pizza chain and has just opened his second location in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
"I'm proud to be opening my second Hungry Howie's pizza location in Ann Arbor," said Patel. "I hope to introduce our excellent service and delicious, fresh pizza to more people while continuing to build Hungry Howie's fanbase within the Ann Arbor community."
Patel had originally thought he would go to college and earn a business management and marketing degree but the calling to operate his own Hungry Howie's restaurant was just too strong. He opened his first Hungry Howie's store, along with his brother Jinesh, in 2013 in Ann Arbor. Last week he held a grand opening for his second location.
Community involvement is important to Patel. He gave a portion of his newest location's sales to the Children's Creative Center and Dicken Elementary School. Last spring during the pandemic, he partnered with 10 local elementary schools in Ann Arbor to feed 50 families every week from May through June.
Hungry Howie's was founded in 1973 and has grown to almost 550 locations in 20 states across the U.S.