Filipino enterprise triumphs as ‘Best Franchise of the Year’ at BURJ CEO Awards

Dr. Tariq Ahmed Nizami, Founder & CEO of CEO Clubs Network Worldwide, Walther E. Buenavista, CEO of The Shawarma Shack, Manzi Doro, Norwegian Jade Staff Captain, Mirsad Bucuk, Norwegian Jade General Manager and Hotel Director, and Sarah Dong, Managing Director of CEO Clubs Network Worldwide

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The 6th edition of the prestigious Burj CEO Awards honored some of the globe’s leading entrepreneurs, humanitarians, and business leaders at a spectacular ceremony hosted on an exclusive luxury Mediterranean cruise from Greece to Turkey on August 22-27, 2023.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, a royal family member of Dubai, UAE, and sponsored by GTC, a global online trading platform, the awards event recognized outstanding individuals and organizations across more than 50 different categories.

Winning this year’s award for the Best Franchise of the Year was awarded to Walther Uzi E. Buenavista of The Shawarma Shack Corporation. Walther Buenavista is a Filipino entrepreneur who founded and led Shawarma Shack in 2015 – a prominent shawarma chain in the Philippines that stands out as the pioneer of the “Buy 1 Take 1” shawarma concept. Despite not completing his bachelor’s degree due to his pursuit of a basketball career, he discovered his aptitude for business through dedicated effort and determination.

The Shawarma Shack takes pride in offering a delectable array of Mediterranean cuisine infused with unique Filipino nuances, all priced affordably for valued customers. The company’s mission goes beyond food – the company is committed to fostering employment, offering training and education opportunities, and nurturing entrepreneurship among the Filipino community. Through its distinctive business model, The Shawarma Shack aims to impact the lives of enterprising individuals nationwide.

Over time, Shawarma Shack has expanded rapidly, boasting over 750 stores across the Philippines. It has gained widespread acclaim for delivering affordable, top-quality food. Walther Buenavista is an example of a successful millennial entrepreneur, inspiring fellow young business aspirants. His journey underscores that achievement is attainable, even without a college degree, making him a beacon of motivation for those dedicated to creating a positive impact.

In Buenavista’s words, “By combining hard work and perseverance, a Filipino brand can excel globally.”

The Burj CEO Awards is often called the “Oscars” of the business world and is renowned for staging extraordinary celebrations to honor influential figures in the global industry. CEO Clubs Network Worldwide, an award-winning, membership-based international organization with representatives from various industries and chapters across the globe, pioneered the event.

The Burj CEO Awards gala was launched in 2016 in Washington, D.C., USA, with succeeding editions in London, UK, Shenzhen, China, and Mauritius, while its 5th edition was part of Expo 2020 Dubai. Over the years, the events have recognized and awarded more than 300 business leaders and organizations for their outstanding achievements.

Speaking about the significance of the awards, Dr. Tariq A. Nizami, Founder & CEO of CEO Clubs Network Worldwide, said, “Excellence is never an accident; it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution, and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities. We celebrate the extraordinary achievements of international leaders who have embraced excellence and made a lasting impact on the world through their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to success in business and other sectors.”

Ms. Sarah Dong, Managing Partner added, “After all, leadership is not just about reaching the top; it’s about empowering others to rise with you, creating jobs and manifesting dreams. We are very proud that CEO Clubs is one of the great pillars supporting business partnerships and bridging billion-dollar deals.”

Attended by over 100 award nominees, VIP guests, senior government officials, CEOs, and entrepreneurs from the international business community, this year’s Burj CEO Awards took participants on a unique journey, taking in beautiful destinations such as Athens, Mykonos, Bodrum, and Marmaris. Delegates also joined the Burj CEO Summit, which staged a series of stimulating panel discussions, various industry-focused sessions, powerful networking opportunities, and nightly star-studded concerts as part of the first-of-its-kind awards event.

Dr. Nizami concluded, “Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Go Turkey for their generous and pivotal support. Their engagement is poised to unleash a substantial, positive influence on both the present and future of Turkey’s economy.”

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