By Laith Habash – Milhilard.org

For Haytham Daoud the founder and General Manager of Buffalo Wings International, business is more than just a pursuit of profit—it’s a responsibility to invest in people and their future. From humble beginnings in Jordan to a thriving career in the U.S. and a successful return to his homeland, Haytham Daoud’s journey is one of resilience, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility.

A Passion for Food and Business

Haytham’s story begins in Jordan, where he spent his early childhood before moving to the United States with his parents 56 years ago. Though he earned a degree in mathematics, his passion for food and business was deeply ingrained in him from a young age. His family established a restaurant in Cincinnati called Gold Star Chili, where he gained hands-on experience in the food industry.

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to various ventures, including a car audio business, before returning to the restaurant industry. He first owned a pizzeria, Papa Galos, before joining Buffalo Wings & Rings as a franchisee in 1995. A decade later, he and his business partner, Nader Masadeh, acquired the brand and became its franchisors, marking a major milestone in his career.

Fifteen years ago, Haytham decided to return to Jordan with his wife, Lorna, to raise their four children. He successfully expanded Buffalo Wings & Rings in the region by Bringing Buffalo Wings & Rings to Amman. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, he launched Chixter: Chicken & Pizza Joint, combining his love for chicken and pizza with a fast-casual dining concept.

Empowering Employees Through Education

Haytham Daoud’s commitment to business extends beyond financial success. A firm believer in social responsibility, he actively invests in his employees by supporting their education. Inspired by his mother’s dedication to women’s education in Fuhais and the culture of generosity he observed in the U.S., Haytham ensures that young university students working at Buffalo Wings & Rings and Chixter receive tuition assistance of up to 600 JDs per semester. “Education is a powerful tool for change,” he says. “By helping our employees continue their studies, we’re not only shaping their futures but also contributing to the development of future leaders in this country.”

For Haytham, supporting education is not just philanthropy, it’s a strategy for building a capable workforce that strengthens businesses and the wider community. He believes that business leaders must foster a culture of growth, empowerment, and responsibility to create long-term economic and social benefits.

Returning to Jordan and Facing Economic Challenges

Returning to his hometown of Fuhais, he embraced the opportunity to raise his family in the house where he was born. While his children pursued their higher education in the U.S., they returned to work alongside him in the business, continuing the family’s entrepreneurial legacy. Reflecting on Jordan’s economic landscape, Haytham acknowledges the challenges of high public debt and unemployment but remains optimistic. “Jordanians are resilient people. Despite the difficulties of starting and running a business here, the success and impact of these businesses make Jordan a unique and rewarding place to live and operate.”

With a focus on technology, tourism, and entrepreneurship, Jordan’s economy is gradually adapting to global trends. He saw opportunities in these sectors and believes that the key to economic growth is fostering innovation and modernizing business operations.

Bridging Business Cultures Between East and West

Having worked in both the U.S. and Jordan,  Haytham brings a unique perspective on business culture. He notes that Western business practices emphasize efficiency, structure, and work-life balance, while Eastern approaches value relationships, loyalty, and adaptability.

To improve Jordan’s business sector, Haytham advocates for a blend of both mindsets. “Structured professional development and accountability, as seen in the West, can drive efficiency and long-term growth. At the same time, the Eastern values of loyalty and teamwork create a strong workplace culture and resilience.”

By investing in education, modernizing business operations, and creating opportunities for young professionals, Haytham believes Jordan can build a competitive and sustainable economy while preserving the values that make its businesses unique.

Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges

Haytham Daoud’s return to Jordan was not without its obstacles. One of his biggest challenges was his lack of fluency in reading and writing Arabic, having left Jordan at a young age. Additionally, navigating Jordan’s real estate dynamics and adapting to local consumer preferences required perseverance and learning. “But I’m not a quitter,” he states. “I believe in Buffalo Wings & Rings and the value I bring to the table.”

Today, with 13 Buffalo Wings & Rings locations in Jordan and more across the Middle East, as well as four Chixter branches in Amman with more on the way, his perseverance has clearly paid off. Each challenge has been a stepping stone toward greater success.

Family, Migration, and Cultural Identity

When Haytham and his wife decided to move back to Jordan, their eldest son was 14, and their youngest was six. For them, the decision was driven by a desire to raise their children in an environment that aligned with their values and cultural heritage.

Looking back Haytham and Lorna are certain it was the right choice. “It was the best decision we ever made.”

Today, all four of his children have earned their bachelor’s degrees and contribute to the family business, reinforcing a legacy of entrepreneurship and commitment to Jordan’s future.

Jordan’s Unique Identity and Future Outlook

As a Jordanian Christian, Haytham Daoud does not view coexistence in the country as an issue that needs addressing, but rather as a natural way of life. “Jordan has always been a country of multiple religions, but it’s not about coexistence—it’s about unity, pride, and love for our country.”

He highlights Jordanian hospitality and national identity as defining characteristics that set the country apart. While challenges exist, he remains hopeful that by staying true to their values and investing in their people, Jordanians can build a thriving, prosperous future.

Through his entrepreneurial vision and commitment to education, Haytham Daoud continues to make an impact—not just in the restaurant industry but in the lives of the people who work with him, helping shape Jordan’s next generation of leaders.

Following is the entire interview conducted by Laith Habash- Milhilard.org

Milhilard.org: How was your upbringing in Jordan, and how did your experience in the United States shape your career and decision to return?

Haytham: I left Jordan with my parents 56 years ago when I was about five or six years old. Although I earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, my true passion has always been food—a passion that traces back to my childhood. When my family moved to the U.S., my parents started a business in the food industry, opening a restaurant in Cincinnati called Gold Star Chili. I helped them out, not in the kitchen at first, but with detailed cleaning, until I was old enough to work with food.

After earning my degree, I initially pursued another passion—music—by starting a car audio business. However, my entrepreneurial journey eventually led me back to the restaurant industry. I owned a pizzeria called Papa Galos before becoming a Buffalo Wings & Rings franchisee in 1995. In 2005, my business partner, Nader Masadeh, and I took a major step—we acquired the Buffalo Wings & Rings brand and became the franchisors.

Fifteen years ago, my wife, Lorna, and I decided to return to Jordan to raise our four children. I reintroduced Buffalo Wings & Rings to Amman, and after COVID, I launched Chixter: Chicken & Pizza Joint—a QSR concept that blends my love for both chicken and pizza.

Milhilard.org: What motivates you to support your employees in continuing their education? How do you view the role of business leaders in promoting social responsibility?

Haytham: Growing up in the U.S. at a young age, I observed a culture rooted in generosity and a strong willingness to help others. My mother also played a significant role in shaping this mindset. When she lived in Fuhais, she was deeply involved in educating women, and empowering them with knowledge and opportunity. Her influence, combined with the values I witnessed in the U.S., instilled in me a lifelong commitment to education and giving back to the community.

I firmly believe that businesses have a responsibility to invest in the future, not just through the products and services we offer, but by supporting the people who drive our success. At Buffalo Wings & Rings and Chixter, we take this commitment seriously by providing young university students with part-time job opportunities while also covering their tuition fees—up to 600 JDs per semester.

Education is a powerful tool for change, and by helping our employees continue their studies, we’re not only shaping their futures but also contributing to the development of future leaders in this country. As business leaders, we must foster a culture of growth, empowerment, and social responsibility. Supporting education isn’t just about giving back; it’s about building a stronger, more capable workforce that will ultimately drive our communities forward.

Milhilard.org:  After years of working abroad, how does it feel to return to Fuheis? And how do you see the future of the economy in Jordan and the region?

Haytham: Fuhais is my hometown, and I’ve returned to live in the very house where I was born. I love that my children had the opportunity to grow up in Jordan and experience its culture and community. When it was time for college, I sent them to the U.S. for their education, and today, all four have earned their bachelor’s degrees and now work alongside me at Buffalo Wings & Rings International.

To answer your question about the economy, over the last two decades, Jordan’s economy has faced structural challenges, including high public debt and unemployment while navigating regional instability, but it has shown resilience through economic reforms, and a growing focus on sectors like technology, tourism, and entrepreneurship. Jordanians are resilient people—despite the difficulties of starting and running a business in Jordan, it is the success and impact of these businesses that make the country a unique and rewarding place to live and operate.

Milhilard.org: How would you compare the work environment and culture between the East and the West? What lessons can be applied to improve the business sector in Jordan?

Haytham: The work environments and cultures in the East and the West differ in several ways, yet both offer valuable lessons that can enhance the business sector in Jordan. In the West, there is a strong emphasis on efficiency, structure, and work-life balance, with systems in place to encourage innovation and professional development. In contrast, the East places a high value on relationships, loyalty, and adaptability, with a strong sense of community within the workplace.

To improve Jordan’s business sector, we need to find a balance between these approaches. Emphasizing structured professional development and accountability, as seen in the West, can drive efficiency and long-term growth. At the same time, fostering the Eastern values of loyalty and teamwork can create a stronger workplace culture and resilience. Investing in education, modernizing business operations, and creating opportunities for young professionals will help shape a more competitive and sustainable economy while maintaining the deep-rooted values that make Jordanian businesses unique.

Milhilard.org: What challenges did you face upon your return, whether personal or legal and how did you overcome them?

Haytham: One of my biggest challenges was that I didn’t read or write Arabic. Having left Jordan at a very young age, Arabic literacy wasn’t common in the U.S. 50 years ago, and there were no Sunday schools for me to learn the language. Today, that has changed, and Arab families who migrate to the U.S. now have access to Arabic education for their children. Beyond language, adapting to a different business model, understanding real estate dynamics, and catering to the Jordanian consumer’s taste preferences were also significant challenges. But I’m not a quitter. I believe in Buffalo Wings & Rings and the value I bring to the table. Now, 15 years later, we have 13 Buffalo Wings & Rings branches in Jordan, and more across the Middle East, 4 Chixter locations in Amman, and 3 more on the way. Every challenge has been a learning experience that continues to shape the way I do business today.

Milhilard.org: How did you convince your children to return to Jordan? What advice would you give to those considering migration or coming back?

Haytham: When my wife and I decided to move back to Jordan, our eldest son was 14, just about to start high school, and our youngest was around six. There wasn’t much convincing needed for the kids; our decision was driven by the culture we wanted for them. As our son approached his teenage years, we felt that the environment in the U.S. didn’t align with the values we wanted to instill in our children. Moving back to Jordan allowed us to raise them within our family’s traditions and beliefs. Looking back, it was the best decision we ever made.

Milhilard.org: As a Jordanian Christian, how do you perceive coexistence in Jordan today? What are the most pressing issues that concern you for the future?

Haytham: Jordan has always been a country of multiple religions, but I don’t see it as a matter of coexistence—that word implies that Christians and Muslims must learn to live together under a certain framework. In reality, what makes Jordanians unique is not just their religious diversity, but their deep-rooted pride, love for their country, and genuine care for one another. At the end of the day, we are all humans and Jordanian hospitality is second to none. Anyone who visits Jordan will immediately notice the warmth, generosity, and strong sense of national identity that defines our people. I don’t see major pressing issues in this regard, but I do believe it’s essential for us to always remember our unity, our love for Jordan, and above all, the importance of being good human beings.