Immigrant-Owned Businesses Building America

Andrew and Peggy Cherng opened their first restaurant in Pasadena in 1983. Both remain Co-CEOs of the company today, with their daughter Andrea also active in the business.

Founded as a single Southern California grocery store; Miguel’s sons Oscar and Jesús González now serve as co-CEOs, with a third generation entering the business.

Ulukaya bought a shuttered yogurt plant in upstate New York in 2005 and built Chobani into one of the country’s best-known food brands. He remains CEO and majority owner.

The Hawthorne family funded their first bakery through a traditional Jamaican “susu” savings pool. Lowell passed away in 2017; his sister Jacqueline Hawthorne-Robinson was named Chairman and CEO in 2024 and has announced plans for 50 more restaurants over five years.

Named “El Dorado” after the boat the family escaped on. Simon’s son Manuel Capo—the first Hispanic inductee into the American Furniture Hall of Fame—led the company’s growth, and the Capo family remains involved in ownership and operations today.

Founded in 1984 and grown into the largest Asian-American supermarket chain in the US; now owned by Tawa Supermarket Inc. Roger Chen’s daughter Alice Chen became CEO in 2019 after a decade as CFO.

Started as a single food cart on a Manhattan street corner in the 1990s and grew into a global franchise. Mohamed Abouelenein is the primary owner of the franchise entity today.

Founded as a single Southern California store and grown into a major regional grocery chain.

The Le family opened their first sandwich shop out of a truck in San Jose before growing it into a well-known West Coast chain. The concept was later expanded by Chieu’s son Minh Le.

Tran started the company selling chili sauce out of a van in Los Angeles’ Chinatown; its rooster-logo Sriracha bottle is now a fixture in American kitchens. Tran’s son William (President) and daughter Yassie (VP) run the family business today.

Moriguchi rebuilt the business after his family was forced into a WWII internment camp. His granddaughter Denise Moriguchi is the current CEO, making it a three-generation family business.

Pérez came to the US independently for his education and career before founding the company in Miami. He remains Chairman and CEO and founder today.

Durst began buying New York City buildings in 1915; the organization was formally established in 1927. Third-generation Douglas Durst (Chairman) and fourth-generation family members run the company today.

Built into one of New York’s major real estate families over four generations. Samantha Rudin Earls and Michael Rudin, fourth-generation family members, became Co-CEOs in 2023.

The Rama brothers started with a single 40-room motel in Pomona, CA. H.P. Rama’s son, DJ Rama, has led the company as President since 2012 (rebranded from JHM Hotels to Auro Hotels in 2017).

Gilbane started his building business in 1870. Edward Broderick, a fifth-generation Gilbane family member, became CEO in October 2024.

Founded as Consigli & Sons Masonry in Milford, MA. Fourth-generation brothers Anthony (CEO) and Matthew Consigli (President) lead the company today, which became 100% employee-owned via an ESOP in 2018 while the family retained top operating leadership.

Moinian built one of New York’s major private real estate firms and remains its Founder and CEO today.