Whether it’s at school, at home, or in business, Black women are undefeated. If you live in the Atlanta metro area and you want to support Black businesses, look no further than this Duluth Subway franchise — owned and operated by Asia Thomas.
Thomas is one of very few young, Black franchise owners, and although it hasn’t been an easy road, she says that every step of the way has been worth it.
“I always say one of my favorite scriptures is, ‘If you ask anything in my name, I’ll do it.’ Write the vision and make it plain. Write it down. Look at it every day. Believe it. If you don’t believe it then how is it ever going to come true?”
Thomas is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and Florida International University, where she earned her M.B.A. As a single mother of three, she has always had to be smart and resourceful to make things happen for herself and her children.
In early 2020, she was just starting to reap the benefits of all her hard work. She was working a lucrative corporate job and was able to move her family into a larger house in a nicer neighborhood.
Then the pandemic hit and while Thomas was no longer able to travel or attend work in person, she began to think of other ways to bring in resources for her family.
“I met a young, Black woman who worked for Subway headquarters. She encouraged me to apply and so I just happened to submit an inquiry. It was almost like it was destined to be,” she said.
Once she learned about the specifics of what it takes to be a franchise owner, Thomas said she started saving and paying off debts with lightning speed. In just a few months, she was ready to take the leap. She found an existing Subway franchisee that was interested in selling his restaurant and even though the restaurant had dismal sales, Thomas felt confident that with her business savvy and marketing background, she could turn it around.
“The day I took over, the staff took one look at me being a Black woman and being young, and they all quit,” she said. “I had to figure out how to open, close, and operate the store all by myself with no help.”
It was a leap of faith that worked out in her favor. Within just one month of opening, Thomas’ franchise doubled its profits and she continues to rise despite the odds.
Now that her business is up and running, Thomas is focused on raising profits, plotting her next venture, and encouraging other young Black people to look into franchising.
“I’m definitely going to buy more,” she said, speaking of franchise businesses. “I would feel like a quitter if I didn’t buy more.”
If you’re in Georgia, make sure you stop by Asia Thomas’ Duluth, Georgia Subway location.
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